New Resources

Allow us to send you our newly updated CD-ROM that is packed full of resource publications, news, and software. It now contains over 60 publications including training manuals, start-up guides and research, including all 21 titles in COL's popular Knowledge Series, as well as free and open source software. While most of the contents are also available in print or on our web site, the CD-ROM provides a convenient, fast-loading compilation of the open and distance learning resources that COL has produced for public distribution and use. It works with both PCs and MacIntosh computers.

Request a copy: info@col.org

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COL and SchoolNet Africa (SNA) have developed a toolkit for developing schoolnets in Africa. Similar to a resource developed last year by UNESCO (Bangkok) and COL, the African Schoolnet Toolkit is designed to support education policy-makers and practitioners in their use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to improve the value and quality of education.

"The African Schoolnet Toolkit is an admirably clear, well written and most useful document," noted Sir John Daniel, COL President and CEO. "It presents schoolnets as part of a wider vision for school development, not simply as technical achievements. I am sure that this excellent text will reassure those who would like to become involved in a schoolnet but fear they do not have the technical background or infrastructure to do so."

"It is important that this toolkit now be used as a basis for developing the growing network of schoolnet practitioners in a structured way and that it becomes a living document giving expressions to our learning as a community of practice," said Ms. Shafika Isaacs-Bardien, Executive Director of SNA.

The African Schoolnet Toolkit begins with an overview that lays the groundwork and defines what schoolnets are, followed by sections aimed at policymakers, schoolnet builders and practitioners. This toolkit also explores the issue of using ICTs within African schools. It offers useful and practical ways to make technology an important support to quality education and in so doing, to help achieve the Education for All goal.

The primary author of the toolkit is Stephen Marquad of South Africa.

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COL's Knowledge Series of practical, start-up guides to timely topics in open and distance learning (ODL) has grown by an additional six titles. Published in May of this year, the new guides are:

• Producing Gender-Sensitive Materials for Open and Distance Learning
  by Maree Bentley and Karen Bentley, Australia

• Using Information and Communications Technology for Agricultural Extension
  by Ajit Maru, International Service for National Agricultural Research and Colin Latchem, Australia

• Mobile Learning in Developing Countries
  by John Traxler, University of Wolverhampton, U.K., and
  Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, The Open University, U.K.

• Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning
  by Denise Kirkpatrick, Monash University, Australia

• Managing Student Records in Distance Education
  by Christine Randell, South Africa

• Tutoring in Open and Distance Learning
  by A.M. Daweti, University of South Africa

Launched in November 2000, the Knowledge Series now features 21 titles. The guides provide an accessible approach meant for education and development professionals relatively new to ODL and incorporate enough detail for introductory use by and for trainers in the educational, vocational or corporate sectors.

A frequently downloaded and accessed resource on the COL web site, the Knowledge Series is also available as a training and information publication in print or on CD-ROM. New and previously published titles are freely available for non-commercial use, with acknowledgement to the author(s) and to COL. All guides can be individually accessed or downloaded in HTML or PDF format; some titles are also downloadable as PDB e-Books. Print or CD-ROM copies can be requested directly from COL (info@col.org), or through COL-affiliated organisations and programmes.

www.col.org/knowledge

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K. Rama and Mohan Menon