Anadolu University Open Education System www.anadolu.edu.tr 2019 ANADOLU UNIVERSITY TURKISH MEGA UNIVERSITY, FROM ANATOLIA TO THE WORLD Easy Access Flexibility Anadolu University Open Education System In Open Education System at Anadolu University, provides open and distance education to we believe that flexible learning is about empow- learners from all around the world. Accessing ering learners by offering them choices about their the courses and resources is just a click away. learning: the pace, place and mode of delivery. The We strive to expand our practical knowledge flexibility comes with fully online learning resourc- via high-quality education and share it with es, and offers a wide range of opportunities from the world. Learners of diverse backgrounds downloading the course materials on smartphone across multiple age ranges can access cours- to watching online lectures on iPad. Studying is es and numerous printed and online resourc- now more portable, accessible and also flexible es easily. than ever before. Openness Expertise Anadolu University Open Education System Anadolu University Open Education System, one of is aiming to reduce the barriers to education, the world’s largest distance education providers, especially for adult and self-learners. In the is coined as a mega university with its expertise 21st century, the idea of openness is in the gained over the years with millions of students not very core of education which is surrounded only from Turkey but also from all over the world. with technology in multi-cultural learning en- Learners can harness our expertise as an inter- vironments. In a world where open educational nationally recognized Open Education System by resources and open teaching hold potential to participating in different courses from undergrad- disrupt the full spectrum of education policy, uate to postgraduate programs and also from learning development, delivery, and accred- non-degree to e-certificate courses and MOOCs. itation, Open Education System at Anadolu As an open and distance education provider, we University takes the necessary initiative and offer a broad range of courses and believe that plays an important role in this big change. supporting learners by giving them different op- tions for learning is our greatest mission. 3 Anadolu University An innovative world university with focus on lifelong learning Turkish Mega University, from Anatolia to the World. Learn wherever you are, whenever you want... 4 RECTOR’S MESSAGE Anadolu University is a mega university that has students in over 30 countries, and exam centers played a pioneering role especially in distance in 19 countries on four continents. education. The Faculty of Open Education at Anadolu University was established in 1982- This booklet provides an array of information 1983 academic year as the first faculty deliver- about the open education system at Anadolu ing open and distance education in Turkey. Since University including a brief history, degree and then, Anadolu University has contributed to the non-degree programs, learning materials, tutor- popularization of higher education and the pro- ing and mentoring, and student support services. motion of lifelong learning in Turkey. Prof.Dr. Şafak Ertan Çomaklı Anadolu University Open Education System goes Anadolu University Rector beyond national borders, and offers higher ed- ucation to Turkish citizens across the world, in- cluding those in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Western Europe, Balkans, Azerbaijan, and North America. The University currently has 5 Anadolu University Mega University Anadolu University, one of the world leaders in open and distance education, currently offers higher education to over one million students worldwide. Faculty members with national and internation- al experience are committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise with stu- dents to offer high-quality educational services. Anadolu’s Open Education Sys- tem The Open Education System of Anado- lu University delivers higher education in Turkey and 19 countries. Currently, students can get enrolled in 58 degree programs in the Faculties of Open Ed- ucation, Business Administration, and Economics. Open education at Anadolu University has a highly flexible structure that can respond rapidly to emerging needs. This is possible thanks to qual- ified human resources and advanced technical infrastructure. Digital Transformation At Anadolu University, open education students are offered a wide variety of learning materials. Open education has recently gone through a digital transformation process to enhance self-learning with the help of materials such as textbooks in digital format (PDF, ePUB, MOBI, HTML5), audiobooks, chapter summaries, interactive videos, practice tests, exercises, live online classes, and videos of online classes. Equal Opportunity Policy The Open Education System of Anadolu University, dedicated to equal opportunity, aims to open a wide range of programs based on this principle and to offer learning environments that effectively promote these programs. This policy is predicated on the following principles: • to develop and implement policies that promote effectively equal opportunity and diversity of stu- dents, human resources and the faculty, • to ensure that all students have equal access to opportunities offered, • to ensure that all students have equal access to environments where curriculum, assessment, sup- port services and resources are available, • to protect the diversity of students and human resources in the Open Education System, • not to allow harassment, bullying and discrimination under any circumstances, • to ensure that all staff has full understanding of equal opportunities and different opportunities, and put these principles into practice, • to set up effective systems to ensure equality of opportunity and diversity, • to observe all equality principles in service provision. 6 ANADOLU UNIVERSITY OPEN EDUCATION AT A GLANCE 1982 Renaming of Eskişehir Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences as Anadolu University Establishment of Faculty of Open Education – the pioneer of distance education in Turkey Admission of students to Faculty of Open Education from the Northern Cyprus Start of face-to-face classes and work placement in 16 cities Educational TV programs on TRT-1 – the national TV network – related to open education courses 1972 Launch of associate and undergraduate degree completion Establishment of the programs for 200,000 teachers in Faculty of Open Education 1958 Institute of Education under the protocol with the Ministry of National Education Establishment of associate degree programs in Midwifery, Establishment of Eskişehir via Television under Nursing, and Healthcare Technician Training under the protocol Academy of Economic and the agreement signed with the Ministry of Health; establishment of associate degree Commercial Sciences – between Federal programs in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine under the the foundation stone of Republic of Germany protocol with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Anadolu University and Turkey 1972 1982 1958 1987 1970 1976 Initiatives for Launch of the project Launch of the Western European Project to offer degree setting up the of Educational programs for Turkish citizens living in Europe closed-circuit TV Television (ETV) Establishment of an open education bureau in Cologne, system Germany. Opening of exam centers in Stuttgart, Hamburg, 1976 Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Bern, Brussels, 1970 and Den Haag 1987 7 Anadolu University 1989 Establishment of the Center of Computer- Aided Education Development of software for PCs running on DOS operating system by 1999 Center of Computer- Aided Education Development of an Development of software e-learning portal for by Center of Computer- open education Aided Education on Establishment of a behalf of IBM for natural 1997 contact center for science courses in Establishment of the students collaboration with the 1994 Test Research Center First use of Internet- Ministry of National Start of e-learning First teleconferencing based practice tests Education services trials 1994 1989 1997 1999 1998 2000 1993 1996 Establishment Organization of Launch of Launch of the of the Faculties open education aof.anadolu.edu.tr Undergraduate Programs of Economics, exams assumed by Restructuring of open in Preschool Education and Business Anadolu University education programs and in English Language Administration Revision and redesign Teaching in collaboration Start of undergraduate of textbooks and with the Ministry of degree completion 1996 educational TV National Education programs programs; production Launch of the Associate Development of of CDs Degree Program in e-exercises software Information Management Establishment of – the first program which computer labs 1998 is fully Internet-based in Faculty of Open Turkey Education charged Launch of “Second with providing University” programs for distance learning students and graduates materials, organizing of a higher-education exams, and offering program associate degree, undergraduate, degree completion and 2000 certificate programs 1993 8 2009 Opening of an exam center in Azerbaijan Under Anadolu University Distance Education Programs Project, opening of 2005 associate degree Launch of e-support programs in: services for students Pharmaceutical Open Education Services 2003 e-Learning Portal used Food Quality Control Use of e-books by over one million and Analysis Launch of e-television