IODE Steering Group for Ocean Teacher (SG-OT), Second Session, 11-15 April 2011

Abstract

The IODE Steering Group for the IODE Ocean Teacher was established during IODE-XVI to support the IODE Resource Kit Project. The IODE OceanTeacher is a follow-up to the Resource Kit and Ocean-PC and a complement to IODE data and information management capacity building activities. During its Second Session the Steering Group reviewed the current status of OceanTeacher and Ocean Teacher Academy, noting that substantial developments have occurred since the last meeting and making OceanTeacher an important tool for capacity building. A SWOT analysis of the current situation was performed. The possibility of further exploring online tools was discussed with a distance-learning expert. The list of currently available training courses was examined, and how to make it a training resource for other organisations, thus OceanTeacher becoming a service provider in ocean-related capacity building in the future. The Steering Group also discussed future surveys on training needs and gaps and developed a comprehensive list of topics for training. The OceanTeacher website and Classroom were extensively discussed and a list of improvements was outlined. The Steering Group also drafted a strategic long-term plan for the next 5 years, bearing in mind the changing training needs and funding sources.