A Prospective Vision for Universities
The role of the Technology transfer units and distance education. Luis Miguel Romero Fernández, Ph.D., Rector, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja. Translated and published by COL, 2008
Literacy & Livelihoods: learning for life in a changing world
This publication of collected papers resulted from the International Experts Meeting held November 15-17, 2004. Commonwealth of Learning, 2005.
Models for open and distance learning
This series of guides to good practice, jointly published by COL and the International Research Foundation for Open Learning (IRFOL), analyses policy issues about the use of open and distance learning and of information and communication technologies in education. The guides are for decision makers within educational institutions, in ministries of education, and in international agencies. Each guide is based on our understanding of the research evidence and aims to identify alternative models and options in a particular area of education. Each begins by examining the policy agenda and the key questions on it and goes on to address a list of themes - socioeconomic context, governance, purpose and curriculum, outcomes and costs, organisation, technology, funding, accreditation, and assessment - but the weight given to each theme varies according to the area of education being examined. In every case our aim is to give prominence to the more difficult issues. Two were published in 2003:
1. Teacher education and training - This first guide looks at the way open and distance learning has been used for the education and training of teachers. It draws heavily on research carried out by IRFOL for the Department for International Development in Britain and for UNESCO. COL/IRFOL, 2003 (552 Kb Acrobat PDF download)
2. Globalisation, education and distance education - This wide-ranging review on globalisation, education and distance education has been conceived in the context of the debate about the influence of the General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS), which has important but controversial implications for education. This applies to both industrial countries and low-income countries and all lying between. COL/IRFOL, 2003 (477 Kb Acrobat PDF download)
Planning and Implementing Open Distance Learning Systems: These profiles of open and distance learning provision from institutions in eleven African countries are based on papers developed by African distance educators for a workshop on planning and management in open and distance learning held in Cape Town, South Africa, 9 - 12 December 2002. The workshop was sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning, the World Bank and UNESCO (Dakar), and facilitated by Richard Freeman, assisted by Asha Kanwar and Helen Lentell. Participants were asked to address the challenges they face as well as the innovations and best practice they have introduced. Each profile addresses country context, institutional context and planning and implementation issues. This report provides an edited version of these papers.
Reflections on Ten Years of The Commonwealth of Learning. Professor Gajaraj Dhanarajan. The purpose of this document is to reflect and encourage discussions about COL and its strategic objectives for the ten years beginning July 2000. It draws on COL's experiences since its inception in November 1988 and seeks to build on initiatives taken during COL's first decade and, at the same time, to benefit from global knowledge and experience in the application of open and distance learning in the last five years. The Commonwealth of Learning, 2001. 80 pages. (Acrobat PDF download, 427 Kb.)
Brave New Women of Asia: How distance education changed their lives. Asha S. Kanwar and Margaret Taplin, Editors. The aim of this book of case studies is to inspire and encourage women to participate in open and distance learning. Going through the case studies, potential women learners will see that most of their reservations and fears are unfounded. Other questions in their minds about how to cope with studies after a long gap, at a mature age or without regular tutorials will be answered as they read about the experiences of other women like themselves. The Commonwealth of Learning, 2001. 82 pages. (Acrobat PDF download, 236 Kb.)
The Changing Faces of Virtual Education. Dr. Glen Farrell, Study Team Leader and Editor. A study on the latest "macro developments" in virtual education, conducted with funding provided by the Department for International Development, London, UK. Commonwealth of Learning, 2001.
Identifying Barriers to ICTs in Education based on gender differences: Regional expert meetings convened by COL (1998 - 2001). Meeting reports and country presentations.
Distance Education in Small States, 2000: Conference proceedings. The University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC) organised an international conference on Distance Education in Small States, held on 27 - 28 July 2000 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The meeting addressed both in-country programmes as well as collaboration among states. The proceedings are available for download in PDF format, either by section/paper or as a complete file. The University of the West Indies/The Commonwealth of Learning.
Case Studies of Non-Formal Education by Distance and Open Learning. Edited by Professor Richard Siaciwena, Directorate of Distance Education, The University of Zambia. This consultancy research report will be useful to people involved or interested in the planning, development and implementation of non-formal education programmes. The case studies demonstrate the potential and importance of distance learning approaches in enhancing the contribution of non-formal education to socio-economic development in Africa. The Commonwealth of Learning, 2000.
The Development of Virtual Education: A global perspective. Dr. Glen Farrell, Study Team Leader and Editor. A study of current trends in the virtual delivery of education, conducted with funding provided by the Department for International Development, London, UK. The Commonwealth of Learning, 1999.
Training and professional development of distance educators: A Resource book of articles. Prepared in co-operation with the International Centre for Distance Learning (UK Open University), with the financial assistance of the UK Department for International Development; 1997. This is a collection of articles, conference papers and reports on distance educator training activities prepared primarily for use in developing countries where identification of, and access to, relevant literature can be limited. (289 pages). Order book
ET2000 Conference Papers. Educational Technology 2000: A Global Vision for Open and Distance Learning, held in August 1996, was an opportunity for nearly 200 educators and technologists from 38 countries to gather in Singapore to share, discuss and debate many of the important issues in open and distance learning. This collection of keynote addresses and conference papers is rich in diversity, containing thoughtful analyses and challenges for the future. (387 pages; Cdn. $25.00 plus shipping).
Library Services to Distance Learners in the Commonwealth. Edited by Elizabeth Watson and Neela Jagannathan, 1997. While distance education is an effective and versatile means of addressing the problems of human resource development in the Commonwealth, an important concern is adequate and appropriate services to support distance students. There is a growing recognition that the provision of good library services is a crucial factor in determining the quality of distance education. The purpose of this collection of 22 articles is to acquaint readers with distance librarianship as it is practised throughout the Commonwealth. Case studies cover institutions in both developed and developing countries located in Africa, Australia, Britain, Canada, the Caribbean, India, and New Zealand. All of the contributors are distance education/librarianship practitioners. The book will be of value to distance librarians, educators, administrators and planners as well as to library school students. (247 pages)
The Use of Distance Learning in Non-Formal Education - a report on a survey carried out for The Commonwealth of Learning by the International Extension College, UK. Prepared by Dr. Tony Dodds, 1996. The report documents information on 73 projects, in 56 developing countries and 17 industrialised countries, and presents a number of conclusions and proposals for further action. The survey found that there is considerable activity in non-formal distance education but that it is not well documented. It notes that non-formal distance education projects are often poorly funded, which often leads to low quality, disappointing results, and lack of sustainability. Jointly published by The Commonwealth of Learning and International Extension College. (63 pages). Order book
Raising Awareness on Biodiversity: Commonwealth Examples. Edited by Walter Leal Filho, Clare Dykes, and Zena Murphy, 1996. In this book, readers will find critical analyses of the means that need to be employed to ensure that an environmental education dimension is implemented as part of biodiversity conservation projects. It describes state-of-the-art initiatives aimed at raising awareness on biodiversity in selected Commonwealth nations. Co-published with the European Research and Training Centre on Environmental Education. (134 pages). Order book
Barriers to Participation of Women in Technological Education and the Role of Distance Education. COL Occasional Paper, 1995. Dr. Karen Evans, Director of Graduate Studies in Education, University of Surrey (UK) and Associate Director of Surrey University Centre for Commonwealth and European Education and Development (SUCCEED). An abridgement is also available.
Education for the Future - A Generic Version of the Report of a Caribbean Task Force on Education. COL/Caricom, 1995. Through analyses undertaken by a Caricom Advisory Task Force, a far-reaching policy document was produced which outlines a coherent approach to educational development in the Caribbean region. As the document contains much that has relevance and validity beyond the Caribbean, and especially in small island states, COL has produced a generic version of the report for wider circulation. It is hoped that the conclusions and recommendations may provide a stimulus for critical reflection in other parts of the Commonwealth. (41 pages). Order book
Environmental Education in Small Island Developing Country. Edited by Leal W. Filho. Commonwealth of Learning, 1994. (192 pages)
Open Schooling: Selected Experiences. Edited by Marmar Mukhopadhyay and Susan Phillips, 1994. A series of case studies on open schooling, together with a summary and conclusions. (175 pages)
Roles and Competencies in Distance Education. Prepared by Ms. Jennifer O'Rourke, 1993. This report is designed to be used by planners, policy makers and other decision makers who are instrumental in setting up and/or managing a distance education system, and who are planning for staffing and training needs. It provides guidelines on the basic tasks involved in managing a distance education programme and the staffing required to handle those tasks. (36 pages)
Administrative Structures for Distance Education. Hilary Perraton, 1991. The purpose of this book is to help anyone considering the use of distance education and trying to decide how it should be organised. The acclaimed success of the world's 25+ open universities gives the impression that learning at a distance demands the establishment of an open university. But, in practice, there are many different ways in which governments, universities, or private bodies can teach students at a distance. The book explores and compares the options that may be possible. Jointly published by the Commonwealth Secretariat and The Commonwealth of Learning (29 pages).
Distance Education at the University of the South Pacific. William Renwick, St. Clair King, Douglas Shale, Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada, August 1991. Report of the review of distance education at the University of the South Pacific initiated towards the end of 1989.
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