The Future of Technology for Developing Countries  

This series of e-mail based virtual conferences were organised by the Federation of Commonwealth Open and Distance Learning Associations (FOCODLA) and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) as a lead-up to the second Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (29 July to 2 August 2002, Durban South Africa).

1. Bridging the digital divide (February 2002)
2. Technology and lifelong learning (March 2002)
3. The future of technology for developing countries (April 2002)
4. Distance learning in the small and island states in the Commonwealth (May 2002)
5. Quality assurance in open and distance education (June 2002)
6. Open and distance learning for community and social development (July 2002)

Dates: 1 - 12 April 2002
Hosted by: Canadian Association for Distance Education (CADE)
Moderator: Mr. Bill Fricker, Technology Integration & Innovations Marketing Consultant, Technology & Curriculum Innovation, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton, Canada (and College/Institute Sectorial Director, CADE)

This is it!  The moderator's report - the 288-hour report, and it's the final report.  Unless the Proceedings require some format or other changes, here is my perception of what went on in our 12 amazing days.  Also, I will defer to Dave Wilson of COL for some accurate data about the number of participants and the number of postings; I've estimated these below.

Thank you all for your thoughtful contributions and your willingness to contend with the high volume of postings.

This 12-day Discussion Group addressed The Future of Technology in Developing Countries.  The conversing evidenced in this discussion was very active, and the mutual respect that is obvious for each contributor, each posting, and each exchange bodes well for the application of technology to learning challenges in the Commonwealth countries and beyond.  Inextricably coupled with this common quest for new and improved solutions comes the duty that any chosen technology had better answer to student learning success.  Technology for technology sake will have little place here.

Over 260 participants registered and offered about 300 postings (I will expect precise numbers from Dave Wilson at COL).  The enthusiastic discussion provided over 50 participant profiles, which has set a stage for several ongoing relationships.  A quick examination of this file provides instant awareness of the global breadth of the discussion group.  As the moderator, I will plan to consult this customized database for many DE issues now that I know several experts across the world.

The two most popular threads of discussion were "Known Barriers" and What's Working Now?"  Although they were set up as separate threads, the discussion sometimes served one or both headings.  One's working solution was often a potential solution to a present barrier of another.  The diversity of the group, and the many unique features to each of the countries represented by this group, is reflected in the mosaic of themes of all postings.

Here, in order of number of postings per theme are the top eight themes of this discussion:

1. Radio use for education (postings - 10 pro; 2 con) thrust - it is a basic communication tool that seems to serve education, often most significant where other communication means can't be counted on.
2. Cultural/religious issues facing students (10 postings) thrust - while culture may predetermine the potential for success, it at least should be considered before any new educational strategy is implemented.  Some postings suggest that some cultural hurdles can be cleared with advance planning and anticipation.
3. Available funds (8 postings - direct mention; several indirect or implied) thrust - without more access to funds, the future of technology is impaired, especially in consideration of how rapidly advances displace recent purchases.  Some challenges faced by each participant may, pleasantly, be met by the marvel of modern technology - falling prices with continued development.  The other issue is often trying to decide if now or in the near future, with the next improvement, will be the time to buy.
4. e-learning standards (7 postings) thrust - developing standards independent of vendors and focused on instructional design, pedagogy, etc. are necessary.  For example, when standards are developed such that products aim to fulfil standards instead of de facto or default setting of standards, then educators will be less tied to specific vendors and software versions.  IMS and SCORM hold great promise here.  Their neutrality is essential to being able to trust that we will commit to factors important to our educational purpose, and not important to the profitability of various vendors.
5. Three themes related by virtue of being "extra- terrestrial" - Satellite (8 postings), VSAT (4 postings), and Wireless (4 postings) thrust - (1) rapid deployment, (2) may circumvent the need for physical infrastructure as a development step, (3) flexible, (4) cost effective and (5) increasingly in reliability.  Costs may still be out of reach for some economies, but costs seem to be affordable to more applications now than several years ago.
6. Lack of clear vision by policymakers (5 postings) thrust - if leadership is lacking, the burden on educators wishing to implement technology becomes dramatically increased.  Might someone be doing an effective job of some new measure only to find that leadership will lead in a completely different direction, perhaps without knowledge of affected developments?
7. Language issues (5 postings) thrust - while English has become the most common denominator, many people are disadvantaged by being forced to accept a new language when they accept a new educational technology tool.  Sensitivity and language training may minimize this largely unilingual medium.
8. Internet access (5 postings) thrust - many known technologies that could serve a student group well are prevented by the lack of appropriate bandwidth or by any bandwidth.

Two specific announcements occurred during this discussion that may have impact on the future of technology in developing countries.  Firstly, as Dave Wilson announced, April 10, 2002, there is to be a VirtualUniversity for small states.  This may be a body that can strategically follow-up on ideas suggested by our discussion group.  Secondly, the news that Italy is leading an e-government initiative that will impact some developing countries may be significant to our common focus.  Although not directly on topic, the size of development may have both an impact on Internet access and on a culture shift that may be necessary by some potential participants.

The fact that so many caring, busy and committed professionals registered and offered postings indicates a strong commitment to education and to effectively adding technology where and when it is warranted.

I have great respect for this community that we have glimpsed over the past 12 days.  There is a strength and experience that will move the capabilities of education.  Where that means technology, and such technology can be seen to have the potential for a positive impact on learning, this group stands ready to promote it.

Bonne Journee

-- Bill Fricker