Professor of Public Health and Chair of the Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention, Oladele (Dele) Ogunseitan, has been a long time supporter of UCI’s OpenCourseWare program. Last year, he was the recipient of the OpenCourseWare Leadership Excellence (ACE) Award for his effort in raising the profile of UCI’s free and open education site. Professor Ogunseitan agreed to discuss his participation in the OpenCourseWare program in a short Q & A.
1. What inspired you to participate in OpenCourseWare?
Ogunseitan: As a professor of Public Health, my colleagues and I envision a world where the most devastating and debilitating disease are sharply curtailed, if not completely eradicated. We also know that education and access to information is one of the most effective strategies for disease prevention. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to disseminate public health seminars and instructions through OpenCourseWare with the opportunity to reach people across the world, I felt inspired that the age of public health is finally here! This is the tool and infrastructure that we have been waiting for. Research results can quickly be presented and translated to action where the needs are greatest.
2. How has OpenCourseWare impacted your students?
Ogunseitan: My participation in OpenCourseWare began with our very successful graduate seminar series. Due to popular demand, we added the undergraduate version of the course last year, and many students have commented on how spectacularly this program has enriched their education at UC Irvine. Even student who are not enrolled in the course can still “attend” cutting-edge presentations by internationally renowned experts in public health, and this source is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round!
3. Would you encourage your colleagues to participate in OpenCourseWare?
Ogunseitan: Absolutely! OpenCourseWare is the future of education and “broader impacts” of research.The technology is rapidly evolving, and there is still room for innovation in various disciplines of public health.
4. How has OpenCourseWare impacted your department?
Ogunseitan: We are both an academic and a professional department, and as such we are subject to review by independent accrediting organizations in public health. Our participation in OpenCourseWare is one of the major ways through which we engage in workforce development, and this was a winning point in our accreditation review and status.
5. Has working with UCI OpenCourseWare changed your perception of cameras in the classroom?
Ogunseitan: Certainly, yes. Mostly it is that after a few recordings, one gets used to it. On occasions with guest speakers, I still have to assure them that it is OK, and that by five minutes into the lecture, they will not notice the camera. Invariably, this has proven to be an excellent resource. It is also reassuring that faculty can view/edit videotapes before they are posted online.