DDIAE firsts

The Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) lead the way in a wide range of areas including the following firsts:

• DECE (now DeC) Mail Room in action 1981. View larger image

  The DDIAE was the first college to offer a year-round calendar in 1972.
   
• It introduced a highly successful Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary) by distance course in 1974 – 20 years ahead of similar developments in universities.
   
• The DDIAE became the first campus in Queensland to be granted a radio station licence in 1974.
   
• A major review of the academic and administrative structures of the institution was conducted in 1977 involving self-review which was validated by an external ‘Expert Core’. This was arguably the first such review conducted by an Australian tertiary education institution. 
   
• The Department of External and Continuing Education (DECE) opened in 1978 introduced the ‘standard ideal model’ for distance education to Australia based on a strong central Distance Education Centre, strong student support and team development of instructional materials.
   
• The first use of computer assisted learning (CAL) in an accredited higher education distance education program was trialled in 1981 with the Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary). Based on the outcomes of these trials, CAL was introduced into several courses by the DECE in 1982.
   
• The Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary) was re-accredited as a competency-based program in 1982. This was the first competency based accredited higher education program in Australia, a particular feat given that it was offered in distance education mode. 
   
• The DDIAE was at the forefront in establishing strong relations between Australia and China. For example, the DDIAE organised the 'International Conference on Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health, and The Environment' (or ISO-O-SHE) in Beijing in 1988 which attracted 400 delegates from 31 countries.