Fred de Vries is at the Open University of the Netherlands, active in Media Lab of the Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies. He combines this with supporting the Board of the university with the international relations agenda.
In CELSTEC he is a member of a team which, since the autumn of 2008, has been setting up a new programme named ‘Learning Media’ which includes a Media Laboratory. Themes covered include Immersive, Mobile and Social Media.
In 2006 and 2007 he was active as an Instructional Technologist for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and implementing distributed learning environments relying on the use of ICT supporting its staff development. He developed strategies on the use of instructional technology which in include shareable learning materials in repositories and Learning Communities in blended learning programmes that include staff in duty stations all over the world.
Until 2006 he was involved in the Learning Technology Development programme on Learning Networks and in implementing electronic learning environments at the Open University of the Netherlands. From 1994 onwards he has concentrated mainly on the use of the Internet in Distance Education. In R&D he was involved in designing, prototyping and implementing a new online learning management system, to support the demands for flexible, time and place independent education. One of the results is the public IMS Learning Design specification. He is also one of the founders of the University's Studynet which is used by 20.000 students. Before the online age, he was involved in the development of advanced distance learning courses using Computer Based Training, Videodisc, CD-I, Simulations etc.