06. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 6 (PCF6), 2010

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Browsing 06. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 6 (PCF6), 2010 by Subject "Capacity Building"

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    Open Access
    Capacity Building in Open and Distance Learning in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region
    (2010-11) Siaciwena, Richard
    The Southern African Development Community (SADC) recognises education and skills development as an important and integral part of regional economic integration. Consequently policy frameworks and strategies have been developed to promote regionally integrated and harmonized education and training systems, which can be credited for the considerable progress in education and training provision the region has made over the years, particularly at primary education level. // However, the region still faces a wide range of educational challenges. SADC Member States have therefore adopted open and distance learning (ODL) as a means of addressing some of these challenges. In spite of evident growth across sub-sectors throughout the region, ODL faces many challenges, which have necessitated the development and implementation of a Capacity Building in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Project. // This paper provides some background to the implementation of the project. It highlights the nature and scope of ODL provision in the SADC region, presents the rationale for the project and describes its key components and activities. The paper also outlines achievements to date and discusses some challenges associated with project implementation. Lessons learned are outlined.
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    Open Access
    Success in eLearning: What is the recipe?
    (2010-11) Kwan, Angela
    As technology continues to permeate all facets of our lives, the application of technology for learning and capacity enhancement has also expanded in breadth and depth. The question to ask is no longer “whether” organisations will implement eLearning, but rather, “whether they will do it well?” (Rosenberg, 2001). // Against this backdrop, there is a growing number of “recipes” for successful eLearning design and delivery. In a research carried out by Ann W. Armstrong (2007) for 15 companies in the US, covering over 25 major web-based learning initiatives, she found an eSUCCESS framework which embraces eight tenets, namely: executive sponsorship, support from the organisations, understand and motivate the learners, culture fosters learning, content is relevant to learner and organisation, evaluate and assess, structure of programme is engaging, interactive and blended, and simulate the work environment and work tasks. // In another “recipe”, the focus is more on deep learning that results in behavioural changes. Cercone (2008) suggests that successful course design models should include connecting new knowledge to prior learning, maintain collaborative interaction between students, promote a self-reflective environment, include immediate applications and advance self-regulated learning. The result of such a design is that the learning will be deepened (Fink, 2003; Majeski & Stover, 2007). // At Commonwealth of Learning (COL), we have developed our own eLearning recipe through the eLearning with International Organisations (eLio) initiative. As the Learning Manager for the eLio initiative, I have had the privilege of providing eLearning to employees working in international organisations such as the United Nations organisations, the multi-lateral development banks and the Commonwealth Secretariat. After ten years of involvement and having worked through a hundred cohorts, we have found a recipe that helps a dispersed, mobile and busy workforce to enhance several core competencies required to deliver on their targets such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Education for ALL ( Dakar),and the Commonwealth objectives. Or, more simply put, our e-Learning courses have helped professionals in the field sharpen their skills so that they can achieve their targets of helping refugees find shelters and safety, assisting the rural poor to gain clean water, or helping a child to find access to education.
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    Open Access
    The Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC): Capacity Building in ODL and ICT
    (2010-11) Higgs, Leon
    This paper will explore how VUSSC has been used to enable sustained, systematic capacity-building to take place with project partners. This capacity development has focused on producing cohorts of designers and developers of course material. This strategy for capacity building was aimed at current and potential coordinators of course design and development for distance education as well as curriculum writers and persons who develop educational resources.