Browsing by Author "Macdonald, H Ian"

Now showing 1 - 13 of 13
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    Academic Objectives, Occupational Preparation and the Learning Process: Strategies and Policies for the Future
    (2004-07) Macdonald, H Ian
    PCF3 // Working paper presented by H Ian Macdonand at the Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF3) in Dunedin, New Zealand.
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    Access to Education: A Guarantee of a Less Divided World?
    (2001-07-02) Macdonald, H Ian
    Access to Education: A Guarantee of a Less Divided World? The Sixth G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture, Gyan Darshan Educational Channel of Doodarshan, Indira Gandhi National Open University, The Commonwealth of Learning, New Delhi, India 2 July 2001 by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman, The Commonwealth of Learning // I hope that Ram Reddy would have approved of the title of my Lecture- Access to Education: A Guarantee of a Less Divided World? I am sure that he would. During the all too brief period when I was privileged to work with him on the Board of Governors of The Commonwealth of Learning, I became instantly aware of two qualities: first, he insisted on knowing the objective of any course of action; second, he was in every sense a citizen of the world. And so, although he was a pioneer in the methodologies of distance education and open learning, he was forceful in forever raising the issue of the basic purpose of education. That purpose was no narrow or self-serving end; rather, it had a relationship to the concept of making the world a better place, both locally and globally. That is the task with which I wish to wrestle in my reflective monologue today. // For many years and in most places, philosophers have argued about the purpose of education: is it for individual betterment as an end in itself, or should it be for occupational preparation? In his famous discourses in 1852, Cardinal John Henry Newman argued: "Knowledge is capable of being its own end. Such is the constitution of the human mind, that any kind of knowledge, if it be really such, is its own reward." And yet, at that very time, the great universities of Oxford and Cambridge were also designed for occupational preparation: to produce teachers, lawyers, ministers, doctors and public servants.
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    Catching Up With eLearning: Implications for Education and Social Policy
    (2001-06-28) Macdonald, H Ian
    Catching Up With E-Learning: Implications for Education and Social Policy by H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman of the Commonwealth of Learning and President Emeritus York University, Toronto, Canada, Address delivered to the 10th AMIC Annual Conference, Manila, The Philippines, 28 June, 2001 // The Commonwealth of Learning, the only official Commonwealth agency located outside London, has been dedicated to increasing access to education since it began operating in 1989. With a mandate to assist with the delivery of education at all levels - primary, secondary, tertiary, technical and non-formal, and operating in all forms from conventional print, through radio, visual and electronic, the Commonwealth of Learning has delivered over 625 programmes throughout the 54 countries of the Commonwealth. In the process, we have learned one basic lesson: there is no magic formula in any methodology, and it is a long journey from concept to implementation, particularly in the case of E-Learning. // Although I have been asked to consider the E-Learning environment for universities in particular, my remarks today apply equally to all levels of education. In the process, I would like to consider: (a) the limitations of E-Learning in terms of pedagogy; (b) the problem of access to ensure that it serves to narrow the social divide between people and nations rather than widen it. // Great strides have been made over the past few years in enhancing the capacity for E-Learning and finding ways to broaden its exposure. The recent announcement by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that it would make most of its course material freely available to the public, through the Internet, is a major innovation. As a result, a university, where the annual tuition is about $39,000, anticipates that not only individuals but universities all over the world will take advantage of its course lists, lecture notes, and even videotaped lectures.
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    The Commonwealth of Learning — Its Role in Small and Island States
    (1997-04-14) Macdonald, H Ian
    The Commonwealth of Learning - Its Role in Small and Island States by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman, The Commonwealth of Learning to a conference sponsored by The Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management, Seychelles, April 14, 1997 Introduction: I find that not many here are familiar with the brief but varied history of the Commonwealth of Learning. Therefore, I propose to make this presentation in three parts, but not like the clergyman who said his sermons always consisted of three parts: first, I tell them what I am going to tell them, then I tell them, and finally I tell them what I told them. First, I want to show you a short video to provide the flavour of COL as an innovative educational institution. Then, I will describe briefly how and why we were created, as well as illustrating some of our activities. Finally, I want to suggest how COL could be relevant to small and island states in partnership with CAPAM and in support of government reform initiatives.
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    Education and Training in Economic Development
    (2001-07-01) Macdonald, H Ian
    Education and Training in Economic Development by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald Chairman of the Commonwealth of Learning and President Emeritus, York University, Toronto, Canada, Paper prepared for The Commonwealth Business Council, July 1, 2001 // Recently, during a visit to a primary school in Male, The Maldives, a poster on the library wall caught my eye: // "One who reads and writes never has to ask for bread" // This caused me to ponder what I have always regarded as axiomatic (no doubt the product of a Scottish heritage) - education, if not an ultimate guarantee of progress, can certainly make life better. And, like the twin-headed Janus of classical mythology, it can do so in two ways. Education, as an end in itself, can add to personal fulfillment, but it also provides the tools for a more productive life. The key, of course, is access to knowledge and knowledge has always been the principal ingredient in human progress. The all too frequent blandishments that we now live in a knowledge society and economy does a disservice to all previous ages since the invention of the wheel, but we know what is meant. Even more than land, natural resources and capital, knowledge will determine who wins the world's race. Thus, education and training are the jet engines of economic development.
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    Introduction to the Report to the Commonwealth Senior Officials Meeting
    (1998-11-09) Macdonald, H Ian
    As Chairman of The Commonwealth of Learning, I speak to you not as someone paid to sing this song, but as a volunteer who believes that COL is an acknowledged contributor to one of the world's great revolutions - the revolution of knowledge!
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    Opening Remarks: Educational Technology 2000
    (1996-08) Macdonald, H Ian
    I believe that access is what this Conference is all about; it is certainly what the Commonwealth of Learning is all about. And the miracles of educational technology make access possible now on a scale heretofore unimagined.
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    PCF1: Welcoming Address
    (1999-03-02) Macdonald, H Ian
    Welcoming Address presented by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, O.C., Chairman of the Board of Governors, Commonwealth of Learning, at the First Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF1) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on 2 March 1999.
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    Remarks
    (1999-06-18) Macdonald, H Ian
    Remarks by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman, The Commonwealth of Learning, upon being conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon. D.Lett.) "his eminence in the fields of academia and government and his special contribution to distance education." by The Open University of Sri Lanka, OUSL convocation ceremony, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 18 June 1999
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    Remarks
    (2001-11-25) Macdonald, H Ian
    Remarks at the 2001 Convocation Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University on the occasion of the receipt of an Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt) Hyderabad, India, 25 November 2001 by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman The Commonwealth of Learning // The honour which you have conferred on me today is greatly appreciated but also undeserved - at least in contrast to those who have worked so hard for the degrees which have been awarded this afternoon. At any time, the completion of a course of university studies demands dedication, determination and devotion. To do so by the distance mode also requires a certain degree of self-sacrifice, and I want to salute my fellow graduates on their accomplishments which we celebrate together on this happy occasion. May I also pay tribute to the distinction and growing reputation of this University with which I am proud to be associated as an honorary doctor. India has been a pioneer in the field of distance education and open learning, and your University, as the first such institution of its kind in India, is among the leaders to which we, in the Commonwealth of Learning, look for inspiration.
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    Remarks to Commonwealth Heads of Government at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
    (2002-03-02) Macdonald, H Ian
    Transcript of remarks to Commonwealth Heads of Government at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Coolum, Australia, 2 - 5 March 2002. Presented by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman, The Commonwealth of Learning.
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    Remarks: Upon Being Conferred an Honorary Doctor of the University
    (1998-06-13) Macdonald, H Ian
    Transcript of remarks upon being conferred an Honorary Doctor of the University at the convocation of The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, 13 June 1998. Presented by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman, The Commonwealth of Learning.
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    Welcoming Remarks: Second Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning
    (2002-07-29) Macdonald, H Ian
    Transcript of welcoming remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Second Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning ("Transforming Education for Development"), Durban, South Africa, 29 July 2002. Presented by Dr. H. Ian Macdonald, Chairman, The Commonwealth of Learning.