Why? How? What? Peoples-uni (People's Open Access Education Initiative) Massive need for Public Health capacity in developing countries Courses delivered fully online, using open access resources and volunteers, very low cost so affordable Substance of this presentation
Course structure MPH 6 units (20cp each) + Dissertation (60cp 2 semesters) Diploma 6 units (20cp each) Certificate 3 units (20cp each) For Diploma and Masters, requirement for 2 at least from each: Foundation Sciences of Public Health: Biostatistics, Evidence Based Practice, Evaluation of Interventions, Health Economics, Health Promotion, Inequalities & the Social Determinants of Health, Introduction to Epidemiology, Public Health Concepts for Policy Makers. Public Health Problems: Communicable Disease [transmission, surveillance and control], Disaster Management & Emergency Planning, HIV/AIDS, Maternal Mortality, Non- Communicable Disease - CVD & Diabetes, Patient Safety, Preventing Child Mortality, Public Health Nutrition
Unit structure 5 Topics in each unit, common format Headline competence (learning outcomes) Assessment criteria List of resources with metadata to point students to relevant parts/issues and hyperlinks to the online resources (all open source or with special permission) Discussion forum led by tutor with pre-prepared starter question (1 or 2 facilitators for each Topic) Zip file with key resources as pdf files Summative assignment published during Topic 4, marking guide for use by tutors also published for students. Formative assessment based on contributions to discussion forums
One of the 5 Topics that go to make up a module
Example of resource list: Topic 1 EBP
Examples of links to online resources
Starting the online discussion
Example of Assignment Maternal Mortality Part A: For your setting (local, regional or national) reflect on a) the magnitude of the problem of maternal mortality 500 words, 15 marks b) the causes of maternal mortality 500 words, 15marks c) the health services system and barriers to its use, 500 words, 15 marks For each of the above, provide the source of the information or references which you have used. Part B: Offer three potential, but practical, solutions to reducing maternal mortality in your setting, based on an evaluation of the evidence-based interventions which have been included in the resources and discussed in the module. 1500 words, 35 marks Use of references (10 marks) Application of evidence (10 marks)
Quality issues Students: Pre-registration module for orientation, Student Support Officers, Student Corner for Discussions amongst students Tutors: Guide for online facilitators, Tutors Corner to discuss and post academic issues, Annual meeting, regular feedback to tutors from academic coordinator, external examiner and exam board, Course Committee of unit leaders to discuss results and review Leadership group, with two of the group taking responsibility for QA
Course validation Course prepared in consultation with UK Royal Society for Public Health, and influenced greatly by previous online masters course at University of Manchester Course validated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) after extensive discussions and adaptation to meet UK Masters level standards From Semester 2, 2011, students who passed 2-4 units able to enrol with MMU on the MPH programme External examiner appointed by MMU very complimentary about quality of the assessment process and results
Country of origin of 236 students, Semester 1, 2012
Number of students enrolling each semester Number each semester Cumulative number 1400 1200 1000 800 Number 600 400 200 0 Semester Pilot 2008 2009a 2009b 2010a 2010b 2011a 2011b
Number of graduates to September 2013 Masters 30 (+20 about to graduate) Diploma 87 Certificate 71
Peoples-uni Organisational chart Trustees Coordinator Academic leadership group IT Support Group * Academic coordinator * Partnerships coordinator * MPH program me lead Module leaders Assign ment coordi nator QA lead Tutor support Student support * Paid in part
Funding a Social Enterprise A social enterprise is an organisation that applies commercial strategies to maximise improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximising profits for external shareholders. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/social_enterprise) Fees: current fees - 30 per module or 1500 for the MPH enrolment (with a bursary scheme for those who cannot pay) Other income generation providing infrastructure for other online courses (Wikitox and Childhood TB)
Some links Web site http://peoples-uni.org Courses site http://courses.peoples-uni.org Thank You!