The Centre for Educational Technology and Media (CETMe) plays a pivotal role in the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) in providing guidelines for designing self-instructional materials, designing and developing educational media and ensuring quality standards of the OUSL course materials. It is the service provider for developing course materials including online courses for the six Faculties of the university.
The Audio-Visual unit (AV Unit) that was established at the inception of the OUSL in 1980 was transformed into the Educational Technology Division (ET Division) in 1988, under the OUSL Ordinance 1, 1987. The studio of the Media House was enhanced, digitized, and transformed into a high-definition television studio under the capacity enhancement (OUSL-CE) Project of the Distance Education Modernization Project (DEMP – 2003-2009). Major structural changes occurred in 2011 to accommodate new developments, restructuring the ET Division as the “Centre for Educational Technology and Media” (CETMe) with two separate units: Academic and Research Unit and the Production Unit.
Vision
“To be a prime centre in the application of Educational Technology through the exploitation of media with the aim of motivating and supporting learners to overcome barriers and enhance learning at a distance”.
Mission
“To achieve excellence in designing and developing instructional materials using multimedia and assuring quality in the university system”.
Organizational/Operational Structure
The CETMe consists of two main units: Academic and Research Unit and Production Unit (Media House).
Academic and Research Unit
The Academic and Research Unit is responsible for the following:
- Design and development of instructional materials
- Create instructional materials in various formats, including print, audio, video, visual art, and online..
- Formulate guidelines and mechanisms for the effective design, and development of course materials.
- Facilitate and assist academic staff in developing high-quality instructional content.
- Capacity development
- Conduct workshops and training programmes for the OUSL academic staff in:
- Writing self-instructional materials.
- Audio-visual production techniques for educational purposes.
- Designing and developing online courses tailored for Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
- Adhering to the OUSL House Style to ensure consistency across materials.
- Addressing gaps in instructional material development.
- Research and development
- Conduct research on emerging trends and practices in Educational Technology (ET).
- Promote and support OUSL academics in conducting ODL and ET research through Committee on Research Advice on Distance Education (CRADE).
- Quality assurance and support
- Ensure all course materials (print, audio video, and online) meet established quality standards.
- Provide guidance and technical support throughout the material production process to maintain quality and relevance.
- Administration and management of online courses
- Oversee the administration, review, and management of OUSL’s online courses to ensure smooth delivery via the OU.
- Editing and publishing support
- Perform copy editing and language editing for OUSL course materials and other institutional publications.
- Short courses and workshops
- Offer short courses and training programmes in relevant fields such as instructional design, media production and online teaching to enhance the skills of OUSL staff and external stakeholders.
Production Unit (Media House)
The Production Unit (Media House) of the CETMe is equipped with a fully-fledged digital hi- definition television studio, dubbing and audio studios, makeup rooms and a post-production unit. It also has an audio-visual library with a collection of diverse video footage.
- Audio-Visual Productions
- Audio recording and dubbing
- Multi camera studio productions (video)
- External video productions including lab session and scenarios
- Designing visual art, graphics, and animations
- Live coverage of events
Manage audio-visual coverage of live events such as conferences and ceremonies in the university.
- Still photography coverage
- Multi camera audio-visual coverage
Development of Course Material
Quality Assurance
Audio Visual Productions
Training and Mentoring
Research and Development
Events and Live Coverage
Responsibilities & Services
Audio Dubbing
Dubbing foreign programmes in Sinhala and Tamil for the OUSL community.
Audio Video Programe
Produce Programmes for the OUSL and Outside Institutions with the new Digital Studio equipment
DC / DVD Copying
The new studio is equipped to copy around 300 CDs/DVDs in a single cycle. It also possesses facilities to print designs on CDs.
Editorial
Language editing of all OUSL Publications. Transforming of original manuscripts according to ODL methodology. Editing of scripts for audio and video programmes. Provide advice on editorial style.
ENG Crew
The ENG unit carries out the function of recording Documentaries and Commercial Programmes.
Online Deals
Web Designing, Moodle Administration and Programme Coordination. Reviewing of Online courses.
Training and Research
Train Academic staff to produce course material conduct workshops on writing of course material. Train staff to develop audio visual material carry out Open and Distance Learning (ODL) research. Also conducts International Workshops and Training Programmes
Visual Art
Create graphics and illustrations for course material. Prepare cover designs, advertisements, Posters, Sign boards, leaflets and CD covers. Create 2D & 3D animation for media programmes
