The LearnX Awards is a global annual program that spotlights excellence in learning and development across diverse sectors, including corporate, government, education, non-profit, and community service.
OES proudly won 11 LearnX awards in 2023, including securing the highest Platinum accolade in two significant categories – Best eLearning Project (Industry Specific) and Best Custom/Bespoke Learning (Industry Specific) alongside our partner The Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland for Auckland Online (AO).
Celebrating Industry-Specific Excellence
This recognition is particularly noteworthy as the LearnX team place our online education projects alongside forward-thinking organisations such as Coles, Kmart, and The Australian Defence Force. The ‘industry-specific’ subcategories typically favour hands-on practical training programs, making our victory a testament to the real-world and industry relevance of our postgraduate tertiary program. These accolades underscore the impact of our collaboration and highlight our success against formidable competitors in different industries.
A Glimpse into the Project: Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care
The core of our award-winning project lies in our partnership with The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences to co-create a groundbreaking Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care, with a focus on addressing the challenges posed by the increasing incidence of strokes in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Claire Sadler, Executive Director of Market Development, OES expressed her enthusiasm, stating “We are thrilled that our long-standing collaboration with the University of Auckland has produced such engaging and impactful courses for their online students. We are very proud of what we have achieved together over five years. The external recognition is the icing on the cake.”
The unique aspect of this collaboration is the creation of the first interprofessional, stroke-specific tertiary qualification in the country. This program specifically caters to healthcare professionals engaged in the care of individuals affected by strokes and their families. The curriculum spans pre-hospital care through rehabilitation, emphasising an interprofessional and equitable approach to stroke care.
Addressing Challenges with Innovative Solutions
The challenges faced by the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences were substantial. Due to students having little time, most of whom are full-time clinicians, we had to make our online delivery flexible and largely asynchronous. We also aimed to dispel common societal misconceptions about stroke patients and ensure equitable access to stroke care, especially for Māori and Pacific peoples.
Two highlighted courses within the program, HLTHSCI 710 Acute Stroke Care and HLTHSCI 711 Stroke Rehabilitation, were delivered through a 12-week, 30-credit-point structure, involving 300 hours of online learning. Our focus was on creating a comprehensive, flexible, and engaging learning experience, aligned with the University’s strategic objectives.
Scope, Collaboration, and Innovation
The project kicked off with a Launch Workshop involving key stakeholders from Auckland Online, the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, and OES. This set the stage for determining design elements such as innovative online pedagogical approaches, industry-aligned learning objectives, and the program’s high-level goals.
A crucial aspect of our approach was to cater to the time-poor student cohort. We extended the duration of learning modules, introduced asynchronous opportunities for collaboration, and incorporated industry-leading tools to enhance engagement and interaction. The collaborative design decisions made during the Blueprint Meeting paved the way for a successful and student-focused learning experience.
Results and Recognition
The initial course, HLTHSCI 710 Acute Stroke Care, was rolled out in Semester 1, 2023, receiving positive feedback from students and the faculty’s academic team. The Summative Evaluation Tool reflected strong satisfaction with the course’s quality, fostering a sense of community among learners. The collaborative spirit between OES and the academic team was hailed for bringing to life the vision for patient-centred learning experiences.
In the words of Professor Cathy Stinear, Programme Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care, “The team has taken the time to understand our values and priorities and brought to life our vision for patient-centred learning experiences.”
Benjamin Scrivener, Honorary Professional Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, praised OES for collaborative problem-solving and delivering visually appealing, highly engaging learning experiences.
Technical Expertise and Learner Profile
Our success was not just about innovation in content, but also the technical realm. We employed tools like H5P, Adobe Creative Suite, Articulate 360, Padlet, Soundcloud, and Vimeo, ensuring a seamless and immersive learning experience through The University of Auckland Canvas LMS. The multidisciplinary team at OES, comprising Project Leads, Learning Designers, Multimedia Specialists, and more, played a crucial role in the project’s success.
The program’s success was also reflected in the diverse learner profile, attracting healthcare professionals from various disciplines, with a significant proportion outside Auckland. Age, ethnicity, and location diversity further underscored the program’s broad appeal.
Looking Ahead: Impact and Growth
In partnership with the University of Auckland, OES is committed to creating impactful, engaging, and tailored learning experiences that address the unique challenges of individual courses and programme portfolios.
Get in touch with our team today to explore how our collaboration can support your institution in scaling meaningful programs.
Our Platinum wins at the LearnX Awards 2023 affirm the power of collaboration, innovation, and a student-centric approach. We’d like to thank the University of Auckland for their trust and partnership and look forward to continuing our journey of transforming higher education.
