This publication explores the integration of digital technologies into community-based learning (CBL) initiatives at open and traditional universities. It presents findings for Activity 4.1.1. ‘Conducting desk research of community-based learning and case studies of CBL in open education, and facilitating the development of partner network of higher education institutions and organizations involved into CBL’ within phase II of the project ‘Promoting ICT Capacity Building and Open Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies’, jointly implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) and Shanghai Open University.
The project adopted an approach of desk research to identify and outline the theoretical foundations of CBL, focusing on those that utilize advanced digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the delivery and implementation of CBL initiatives. Eleven case studies of open and traditional universities that have applied digital technologies to implement CBL were identified and developed into case studies of innovative practice in integrating digital technologies onto CBL. These cases represent a range of contexts, regions, purposes, technologies and role-players. The universities that participated in the research for the project are Athabasca University (Canada), CHRIST (Deemed to be University) (India), Open University Malaysia (Malaysia), Stanford Graduate School of Education at Stanford University (USA), National University of Singapore (Singapore), College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University (USA), The Open University UK (United Kingdom), the University of Cape Town (South Africa), the University of New South Wales (Australia), Makerere University (Uganda), and Shanghai Open University (China).
