| Senior educators from eleven Sub-Saharan countries are gathering in Nairobi this month to improve their "e-learning" knowledge and skills by learning from each other and invited experts. The workshop is being organised jointly by the Commonwealth of Learning and the African Virtual University. It will be held at the AVU Kenyatta University Campus from 9 to 20 August. The organisers and participants suggest that African practice in e-learning - using online techniques to expand learning opportunities - may differ from approaches used elsewhere. While the concept of one learner to one computer is an unlikely scenario for Africa in the foreseeable future, African professionals are leading the creative application of the latest techniques and technologies to a continent in great need. A unique feature of the workshop is that institutional decision-makers and academics are joining together for some days of presentations and discussions so that common understandings may be formed between the two groups. "Decision makers need to create enabling environments in which skilled people can work," says South African Paul West, who is an Educational Specialist at the Commonwealth of Learning, "and skilled staff need to understand the needs of institutional management." Once a common base has been established, the two groups will spend time apart focussing on areas of interest specific to themselves. The organisers are encouraging participants to remain in contact with each other upon their return home as they work on expanding existing eLearning support programmes or on introducing these into their institutions. "Change management and constant attention to learners' needs will be essential components," West added. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the application of educational technologies, notably knowledge management, open learning and distance education to the challenges of development. It is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The African Virtual University leverages the power of modern telecommunications technology to provide world-class quality education and training programmes to students and professionals throughout Africa. It is based in Nairobi, Kenya, but provides support to its students through over 34 Learning Centres in 19 African countries. |