World class in online learning

Proving Tauranga educators are at the forefront of the world, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic academic Lynette Steele recently won top accolades at a higher education conference in Dubai.

Lynette (Group Leader Legal Studies at the Polytechnic) presented a paper at the Second Dubai International Conference in Higher Education: Sustaining Success through Innovation. Her presentation, Sustaining Successful Online Programmes in New Zealand, was voted in the top three of the conference for best overall paper presentation.

“It was a real acknowledgment that what we are doing at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic for our online programme delivery is as innovative and cutting-edge as anywhere in the world,” said Lynette. “I’m delighted for the acknowledgment for all of my team and the Polytechnic.”

The conference, hosted by Michigan State University (in Dubai), attracted more than 100 academics from 28 different countries, including the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia, the United States, Ghana, Iraq, India, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates.

Passionate about education and higher learning, Lynette was excited to have been given the opportunity to share the Polytechnic’s experiences with online delivery.

“Sustaining success in the rapidly changing environment of online qualifications in higher education is equally as challenging in New Zealand as in other parts of the world. We too need to bring creativity and innovation to the way we provide education”.

“I wanted to share my experience and expertise involved in creating innovative and successful learning environments.  It was fantastic to meet and hear from other educators from around the world who are faced with similar challenges and who are equally passionate about innovation in education.”