OAsis, COL's Open Access Repository
Welcome to OAsis, Commonwealth of Learning's online institutional repository
for learning resources and publications.
for learning resources and publications.
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Recent Submissions
Item
Open Access
Teacher Training through Open, Distance and Technology-Enabled Learning in Rwanda
(2023-11) Commonwealth of Learning (COL)
This baseline study focuses on analyzing policies and practices related to open and distance learning (ODL) and technology-enabled learning (TEL) in teacher education in Rwanda. The research, adopting a descriptive survey design, examines the status of ODL and TEL for teacher training, identifies challenges in policy practices, and proposes mitigating strategies. The findings underscore the Rwandan government's commitment to enhancing the teaching profession, with a significant increase in teaching staff across all educational levels. However, despite improvements, pupil-to-teacher ratios remain higher than Sub-Saharan Africa averages, signaling the need for increased efforts to train more teachers. The study highlights the historical emphasis on leveraging ODL and TEL in education, particularly after the 1994 genocide. Various ICT-related policies advocate for integrating technology into teacher training, but several key policies and strategies remain in draft form, indicating a gap in formal approval. Regarding ICT penetration in schools, the government has adopted smart classrooms and increased connectivity, yet challenges like maintenance and server capacity affect learning platforms' reliability. The University of Rwanda's College of Education offers blended learning, but the roadmap for ODL is unclear. The study recommends leveraging ODL/TEL as a cost-effective pathway to address the shortage of qualified teachers. It emphasises the importance of clear strategies, guidelines, and the use of MOOCs and OER for flexible continuing professional development and academic teacher education programmes. The Ministry of Education is encouraged to establish an open access repository for OER and formulate a comprehensive strategy for harnessing ODL/TEL for teacher education and professional development.
Item
Open Access
Book Review: Handbook of Open, Distance and Digital Education: Parts I and II
(2023-11-17) Olivier, Jako; Panda, Santosh
The Handbook of Open, Distance, and Digital Education (ODDE) is a comprehensive publication covering key topics from open and distance education as well as digital education. This book establishes itself as colossus in the realm of distance education literature, spanning seven parts, 80 chapters and 1,437 pages. Covering such an extensive publication within the scope of a single review might not do justice to the significant individual contributions of this work. Consequently, this review pertains only to part I and part II of this book, which involves the first 14 chapters.
Item
Open Access
Book Review : Education and Blockchain
(2023-11-17) McGreal, Rory; Panda, Santosh
Education and Blockchain is an excellent primer for educational leaders, administrators, teachers, and students. The book is divided into an executive summary, followed by four sections. These are: 1. The foundational principles and concepts of blockchain; 2. Blockchain applications in education. 3. How blockchain is being used in education; and 4. The humanistic principles to be considered when implementing blockchain. The book is well laid out and includes a glossary of terms which are clearly explained for the uninitiated. The authors also propose different applications of blockchain in a variety of educational contexts. Both the benefits and constraints related to blockchain as a de-centralised transparent ledger are explained in a manner understandable to the non-technical reader.
Item
Open Access
Mediating Role of Teachers’ Effective Communication Skills in the Relationship between Interpersonal Mindfulness and Subjective Well-Being
(2023-11-17) Tekel, Esra; Erus, Seher Merve; Panda, Santosh
The purpose of this study is to determine whether teachers’ effective communication skills were a mediator in the relationship between interpersonal mindfulness and subjective well-being. 315 teachers participated in this study which was designed as a correlational model. Personal Information Form, Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale-TR (IMS-TR), Effective Communication Skills Scale (ECSS), Positive and Negative Emotion Scale (PANAS), and Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) were used to collect data. To determine the mediating role of effective communication skills in the relationship between interpersonal mindfulness and subjective well-being, Bootstrapping method was applied. The results revealed that indirect effect of interpersonal mindfulness on subjective well-being via effective communication skills was statistically significant. Effective communication skills were a partial mediator in the relationship between interpersonal mindfulness and subjective well-being of teachers. Consequently, interpersonal mindfulness may enhance effective communication skills and owing to this rising subjective well-being may grow stronger.
Item
Open Access
The Development and Effectiveness of STEAM-C Integrated Learning Devices to Improve Students' Creative Thinking Skills in Specific Cultural Context
(2023-11-17) Apriandi, Davi; Krisdiana, Ika; Suprapto, Edy; Megantara, Bima Adi; Panda, Santosh
Good learning devices greatly assist teachers in conveying the process of seeking knowledge to students. This study aimed to develop a STEAM-C (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics and Culture) integrated learning device in Masjid Kuno Taman, Indonesia to improve students' creative thinking skills. The learning devices included lesson plans, modules, and student worksheets. This research and development (R&D) used the ADDIE development model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Subjects (n = 84) were selected by the cluster sampling method. The data collection techniques were focus group discussion (FGD), observation, tests, and questionnaires. The trial of using the product was carried out on mathematics teachers and students at SMP 10 Madiun and SMP 12 Madiun for the academic year 2021/2022, with a total of three teachers and 84 students. The results showed that the degree of validity of the learning devices was in the good category, as was the level of practicality seen in the presentation, use, time and readability. Furthermore, as seen from the four indicators, the devices developed effectively improve students' creative thinking skills, namely fluency in the high category and flexibility, elaboration, and originality in the medium category. As a result, the STEAM-C integrated learning device is recommended for use in mathematics learning to help students improve their creative thinking skills. Implications have been drawn, based on this research and other recent research in this area, for specific ‘learning designs’ in specific social contexts.