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).
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Bridging the digital divide (February 2002)
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Technology and lifelong learning (March 2002)
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The future of technology for developing countries (April 2002)
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Distance learning in the small and island states in the Commonwealth (May 2002)
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Quality assurance in open and distance education (June 2002)
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Open and distance learning for community and social development (July 2002)
MODERATOR'S FINAL SUMMARY AND REPORT
Dates: 1 - 15 July 2002
Hosted by: National Association of Distance Education Organisations of South Africa (NADEOSA)
Moderators: Mr. Tony Mays, Distance education consultant, South Africa (and Chair of 2nd PCF management committee and President, NADEOSA); Professor Alan Amory, Director, Centre for Information Technology in Higher Education, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa; and Dr. Audrey Wyngaard, Lecturer, Distance Education Unit, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
This conference attracted 235 participants and 330 postings. The group found that aside from culture (including religion and language), distance and differing ICT levels are strong potential barriers to forming communities; face-to-face interaction, therefore, might be useful to initiate the development process. Ongoing facilitation and moderation can often help foster mutual understanding and a sense of commonality. Conference participants also agreed that if economies of scale are achieved, community development could be supported through ICT at reasonable cost and with significant results, although training in the technology is a prerequisite.