The International Learning Resources Festival (iLRF) formerly known as the Learning Resources Festival (LRF) was held for 4 days from 25 October to 28 October 2021. Hosted once again by the IMU Learning Resources Department (eLearning, Library and Medical Museum) with the help of the Centre for Lifelong Learning (ICL), the event was successfully organised fully online and received approximately 280 participants for webinars and competitions. A total of 6 workshops, 3 forums, 2 plenaries and one keynote were organised throughout the 4-day event.
“Driving Digital Transformation: Adapting to the Future Learning Demands” was the theme for iLRF2021. As we embark on the digital transformation journey, it is essential to acknowledge what is involved in improving the core business processes to effectively fulfil expectations through data and technology leveraging. In the educational sector, students, faculty, staff, and graduates are the target consumer and both students and faculty can benefit from the digital transformation initiatives whether in the schools or higher education institutions.
This theme aims to engage and inspire ideas, discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience, and ignite possible creations and implementations on what could drive the digital transformation and how to adapt and adopt to the latest education tools, technologies, and solutions especially in the current situation.
The event started with a pre-workshop session which was conducted by the members of the eLearning team. On the second day, we had Ts Juniza Zamri from Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin to facilitate the session on ‘How to Develop a Mobile App for Teaching and Learning’, while Dr Harwati Hashim from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) conducted ‘How to Teach with Note and Notability Apps session’.
Prof Abdul Aziz Baba and Prof Vishna Devi Nadarajah were invited to deliver the opening and welcoming remarks during the launching of the event on the 27 October 2021. The webinar session started off with a keynote discussion on ‘Machine Learning: What is it and Why it Matters’. This was followed by a Knowledge and Experience Sharing (KES) session on ‘New Norm in Education’ and a plenary on ‘Digital Transformation and the Preparation of Change in Teaching and Learning’. Day three ended with a forum entitled ‘Driving Digital Transformation: eLearning in Medical Education’.
The event continued the fourth day and started off with a plenary on ‘Microlearning: Are You Doing It Right?’ by Dr Robyn Defelice, followed by a forum on ‘Digital Learning Transformation and Challenges: Impacts on Students’ Mental Health’ and ended with an Alumni Talk about ‘Future Ready Skills: Empowering Students to be Future Ready’.
The festival featured notable local and international speakers who shared their expertise and experience which include among others:
| Notable Local and International Speakers | |
|---|---|
| Dr Mohammad Reza Beik Zadeh | Dr Beik is an inspiring team leader in international education and R&D Organizations in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). |
| Prof Patrice Francois Boursier | Prof Patrice François Boursier is a Professor of Data Analytics in IMU. |
| Prof Er Hui Meng | Prof Er is the Dean of Teaching and Learning at IMU. She has vast experience in curriculum design, development, and implementation of health professions programmes. |
| Robert Cairnduff | Robert Cairnduff is Chief Operations Officer at 3D4Medical from Elsevier with responsibility for content and new integration opportunities. 3D4Medical provides the world’s most advanced 3D anatomy platform |
| Scott Grillo | Scott Grillo, President of McGraw Hill’s Professional was Vice President, Global Professional Markets. |
| Prof Zoraini Wati Abas | Prof Dr Zuraini Wati Abas is Dean of School of Distance Education at Universiti Sains Malaysia. She was the Founding Director of the Center for Learning, Teaching and Curriculum Development as well as the Acting Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs. |
| Dr Vaikunthan Rajaratnam | An internationally accredited hand surgeon and medical educator. |
| A/Prof Ts Dr. Muhammad Helmi Norman | A/Prof Ts Dr Muhammad Helmi Norman is currently the Deputy Director of Instructional Technologies of the Center for Teaching and Curriculum Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and currently drives the e-learning transformation in the University. |
| Dr Robyn Defelice | Robyn A Defelice, PhD (University of Bloomburg) has been a strategist and consultant in the learning and performance arena for over 20 years. She is attached to Bloomsburg University’s Department of Instructional Design and Technology. |
| Chuah Kee Man | Chuah Kee Man is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Language and Communication, majoring in educational technology, computational linguistics, and instructional design. He has won several awards at national and international levels for various innovations. |
| Dr Raymond Choy | Dr Raymond Choy is the Co-Founder & CEO of DOC2US, Heydoc International Sdn Bhd. He is skilled in Healthcare Information Technology (HIT), Family Medicine, Aerospace Medicine, Medical Education, and Travel Medicine. |
Various competitions which include the IIInovasi, Educational Game and Library Quiz received numerous submissions from both external and internal participants.
The top three winners for the competitions are:
IIInovasi competition
| Prize | School/College | Team Leader | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Kolej Matrikulasi Johor | Rohayu Binti Yusof | MS’AR: Gameboard Interaktif Memperbaiki Bacaan Makraj dan Tajwid |
| Second | SK Putrajaya Presint 11 (1) | Mohd Saharudin Bin Setapa | Let’s Spell It Right (LESPIR) |
| Third | Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang | Chin Yu Yuan | VIP Gami-Map |
Educational Game Competition
| Prize | School/College | Team Leader | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | MRSM Tun Ghafar Baba | Mariah Sakinah Bintii Mohd Sukor | J2T5 |
| Second | SMK Seri Budiman Perak, Gerik, Perak | Savina A/P A. Saiman | Prodigium App |
| Third | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | Nurul Syifa’ Bt. Mohd Ramli | Little Khalifah |
This year, the School of Pharmacy won the Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Challenge Trophy. The TSAB award was to acknowledge schools who display and incorporate technology-enhanced learning in their teaching and learning activities. The winner was selected based on the average points of the showcases participating in the International IIInovasi Competition. The award was presented by A/Prof Nilesh Kumar Mitra to the winning school during the Prize Giving Ceremony on the 3rd day of the event.
Overall, this year has been another exciting experience for the committee and participants as we once again conducted the event fully online and took a step further in making the event to international level. The committee would like to thank the Senior Management team, the organising committee advisors for their advice, support, and valuable input to improve the event. Congratulations to the organising committee for their teamwork and dedication towards making it a successful event. We look forward to seeing you all again for another exciting iLRF adventure.
Link to iLRF website: https://elearnzone.imu.edu.my/lrf/2021/
Link to iLRF Live page: https://elearnzone.imu.edu.my/lrf/2021/live/
Written by Mr Mohd Azrin Bin Ibrahim and A/Prof Nilesh Kumar Mitra
