05. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 5 (PCF5), 2008
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Browsing 05. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 5 (PCF5), 2008 by Region "Pan-Commonwealth"
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PublicationBroadcasting, Skills Development and Good Governance: Encouraging Online Learning Communities in Media Organisations( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // This short presentation aims to share with you the experience of trying to deliver media skills training around the Commonwealth using distance learning techniques. We’ll look at some of the drivers for this kind of approach, and some of the shortcomings. // Some of the problems we’ve had to overcome have ranged from the technical (which sometimes seems ironic for media organisations), to the cultural. We’ve also found some linguistic challenges. For example, when is it alright to use the phrase “Hit me up” on a message board posting? I’ll return to that shortly. // Since 2005 we’ve been mainly developing training courses for staff in national broadcasting organisations; the kind of broadcasters who were modelled on the BBC’s concept of public service broadcasting. // But like the BBC, these organisations have had to change out of all recognition in the past few years. The challenges of online media, technical developments such as the introduction of digital editing (rather than using tape and editing with scissors), the introduction of staff performance monitoring – these have all had a profound effect on the skills needed by the broadcasters and their managers. Commercial pressures bring other challenges for hardpressed production offices. // The Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, with whom I’ve worked most over the last three years, has many member stations who you would recognise as traditional public service radio and TV broadcasters. But grafted onto those activities we now have the new media of web services delivered by computer or mobile device. // One of the most surprising things is how some of these new ways of interacting with one another are quite familiar to many trainees in their private lives, but seem to cause big headaches for the organisations they work for. // Paper ID 421 -
PublicationDigital democracy: Giving ODL Students in Developing Countries a Voice( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Information Technology has had a great but uneven impact on Open and Distance Learning (ODL). In the main it has led to greater efficiencies in the way that courses are written and produced; student registration; student assessment; and the logistics of distribution. Latterly, with the advent of e-learning and “technology enhanced learning”, the teaching and learning process itself has changed. Learners can work collaboratively, they can take control of their own learning through Web 2.0 technologies, they can build eportfolios, etc, etc. An area where IT is having an increasing impact is in those parts of institutional research that rely upon gathering feedback from the learners. // Paper ID 453
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PublicationIn Search of a Dual Mode Organisational Structure( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // The importance and potential of open and distance learning is widely recognized internationally and rapidly growing in developing countries. The rapid expansion of lower level education, and the need for continuous upgrading of qualifications and skills for the workforce have increased pressure on Institutes of Higher Educations (IHEs) to increase access. The existing capacity of the IHEs is inadequate to meet the growing demand and there is a remote chance of an expansion in the higher education system in the near future mainly due to financial constraints. The private sector distance learning institutions are structured as mostly single mode institutions and in some cases are generally extensions of overseas institutions. The organizational structure of distance learning programs of public institutions is based on dual mode model. // Dual mode institutions in most cases have established a unit within their organizational structure as college or department with limited autonomy and authority. These administrative units are under enormous pressure to grow and deliver courses with limited capacity and technical knowhow. Programs development and delivery through the distance mode usually depends on the mercy of the academic departments whose primary responsibilities are to serve the on-campus students. Distance education programs in some cases are treated as cash cow to augment their income. Thus the effectiveness of the current organizational structure is in question for the promotion and development of distance learning programs. This paper provides an understanding of the magnitude of issues on structural adjustment which will stimulate discussions and allow people to share experiences. // Paper ID 258
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PublicationPractical Approaches of Persuasion to Open and Distance Learning for Children and Young People in the Technology Enriched Era( 2008)PCF5 Theme: Children & Youth // The main objective of the study is to highlight the significance of open and distance learning in teacher education. Many young graduates working as teachers pursue teacher education through open and distance learning mode extending for a period of two years. An effective demonstration technique practiced in the learning process of the students enrolled under Open and Distance learning is project based learning followed by assessment based on its effective implementation during their practice teaching session. The strategy of assessment was explained by the demonstrator. A group of students opted for science optional were given demonstration about the methodology of project based learning during their contact seminar session integrating technology. At the end of the session each one of them were given assignment on a particular topic adopting project based learning. Instructions were given to carry out research on project-based learning, its advantages, practical implementation, and to send report on or before an agreed deadline through online in order to assess the quality of report. It was found that when learning was carried in an online environment by students enrolled in Open and distance learning provided more time to think and learn the concept at their pace, engaging them in deep learning about the topic concerned. The reports are assessed through online mentioning the criteria of assessment. The students review their assessment judge their own capabilities and work on the remarks. Thus open and distance learning enables the student to process the instruction whether it is paper based or computer based, providing flexible sequences of study, with negotiated content, learning methods, negotiated assessment methods. It is concluded that open and distance learning increases enrollment ratio of learners at all levels who are deprived of formal education due to various reasons. // PID_705
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PublicationRevitalizing School Curriculum through Innovative Technologies A Pragmatic Approach( 2008)PCF5 Theme: Children & Youth // It is a known fact that School education lays foundation blocks for a society that provides directions, structure and dimensions. The role of school in society today has gained primacy as it is directly linked to the process of social change with a greater emphasis on global economy and human development. The expectations are to have pragmatic and innovative techniques by the foundation builders with assumption that the role of centers will be for preparing knowledge and developing work skills to copeup with the challenges of the present millennium. That is why UN council while framing the MDGs in Dakar Convention gave greater emphasis on Education for all (EFA). The Dakar and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). // The conservative techniques of education need to be substituted by purposeful innovative new models of learning so as to ensure that children and young people grow into talented citizens shouldering responsibilities in various spheres of life. With a view to achieve this cherished goal, teaching and assessment should go hand in hand to ascertain the accurate evaluation of the effect of teaching and learning process. The present paper is aimed at highlighting to discuss the issues and concerns related to traditional school curriculum and newer pedagogical approach. // PID 630
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PublicationThe Role of Formal and Informal Education in Tackling Development Needs and Attaining Development Goals( 2008-07-14)Transcript and video of a presentation at opening of the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, London, UK, 14 July 2008. Prepared by H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, and Chairman of the Commonwealth. Delivered by Professor Apolo R Nsibambi, The Rt Hon Prime Minister of Uganda, On behalf of His Excellency the President of Uganda.
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PublicationThe Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth: What is it for? How is it doing? Where is it going?( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // The proposal for the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) that was presented to Ministers in 2003 (COL, 2003) contained the following statement: ‘The vision that emerged for a virtual university serving small states was one of a consortium of institutions, enabled by appropriate ICT applications, working together in practical ways to plan programmes, develop the required content and ensure the delivery of those programmes and support services to learners.’ It also included the sentence: ‘The virtual university will be as much concerned with adding value to conventional on-campus instruction as it is with serving learners at a distance.’ And it also noted that a virtual university could benefit small states by: ‘Providing accreditation systems to develop quality standards and ensure that they are met’. The overriding objective for the VUSSC that emerges from the original proposal to ministers is that it should help institutions in the small states to serve learners better. // Paper ID 514
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PublicationWeb Accessibility: Does It Have a Role in Delivering Distance Education?( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Web accessibility is a hot topic in international forums of professionals who are dealing with WWW to communicate with their clientele as it is very vital in facilitating various ways that users access information. Distance educationists are vastly using the Web channel in delivering their courses and support services. Therefore, Web accessibility is very important for distance educationists, particularly after they have promised to provide equal educational opportunities for ALL. However, when considering the findings of the study conducted to identify the current status of accessibility of Open University Websites of Commonwealth countries it is obvious that there is a long delay in applying the accessibility techniques in designing the Websites in the distance education sector. Paper ID 159
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PublicationWelcome to PCF5 at the People’s University( 2008-07-14)Transcript of Introductory Remarks to the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF5), London, UK. 14 July 2008. Presented by Sir John Daniel, Commonwealth of Learning.
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Publication‘Wiki standards’ and Qualifications Frameworks( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // How radical is it to consider that any member of the public can post a qualification standard on a website, another can edit the same standard and anyone can update it on a regular basis? Even more radically, can such an approach be accommodated in national-, transnational- or regional qualifications frameworks? In our paper we try to open this debate to a broader audience by taking two opposite positions: Paul, with a background in the Wiki environment, argues that the development and maintenance of standards can be supported through ongoing general consensus, much like a WikiPedia article, and that daily changes to such standards simply reflect the natural daily changes in the world. James, with a background in qualifications framework development, argues that standards can only be developed by expert practitioners located in specific communities of practice. // Paper ID 100
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PublicationYouth and Free Web Based Applications( 2008)PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) promotes the use of technology in education and training to help expand access to and quality of education. The use of Web 2.0 technologies in industrialised countries is promoting social and cultural shifts that are having an impact on how students interact with their social environments and cultural identities. COL constantly investigates how Web 2.0 technologies can be used across borders and other barriers to help expand access to and quality of education. // COL uses a range of Web 2.0 technologies and applications and some of these may be useful in educational institutions. // Paper ID 120