Introduction (excerpted from the report)
This report on the use of information and communications technology (ICT) for learning and distance education in Commonwealth countries has been prepared on behalf of the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, by Intelecon Research & Consultancy Ltd. The key objectives are:
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to provide an appreciation of the current state of affairs regarding the level, range and diversity of ICTs in use for learning and distance education in Commonwealth countries
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to highlight key policy and regulatory issues relating to telecommunications and media impacting the use of ICT for education and learning, the financing and operation of infrastructure services and the self-sustenance of projects
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to examine the impact of technological trends on future use of ICT for learning and distance education, and
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to review the experience to date of multi-purpose tele-centres in selected Commonwealth countries and provide basic guidelines for successful models
Six country case studies were undertaken to examine ICT based learning and distance education across the Commonwealth. The countries were selected to be illustrative of the Commonwealth's diversity, based on criteria such as geographic size, economy and region. It was realised early on that six countries would not be enough to capture or represent a full picture, but the selection does provide an indication of both the possibilities and the challenges faced by Commonwealth countries. A full set of baseline data for all 48 countries of the Commonwealth is provided in Annex A.
The countries selected were Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Fiji, South Africa, Mozambique and Ghana. Each country is presented in a standard format providing full socio-economic, policy and technological context, as follows:
The information was gathered through a blend of desk-based research, using primarily Internet sources and published reports, and personal interviews carried out by e-mail and telephone with key organisational and country contacts. The consultants were in contact, on behalf of the COL, with other international organisations interested in ICT and distance education, such as the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the ITU, the World Bank and UNESCO.
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