Full Copyright - All rights reserved

Drawing on a comprehensive literature review of best practice in OER measurement, as well as experience of working with UNESCO to support implementation of the Recommendation, this chapter presents an initial framework for the measurement of the effectiveness of the OER Recommendation and proposes indicators that regions, countries, and/or institutions could adopt or adapt to rigorously measure both how OER is used and its effectiveness for improving learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the importance of professional development on effective teaching and learning for university academics into sharp relief. Universities found themselves having to close their campuses and were unable to teach their students face-to-face. Universities in Africa resorted to various strategies to reach students, ranging from no teaching taking place, through emergency remote teaching (ERT) with some form of online teaching, to fully implemented e-learning.

The same disruptive technologies transforming traditional markets and changing skills demands are also altering the methods through which workers can learn and acquire new skills. EdTech innovations, such as technology-enabled learning materials, online and blended learning, adaptive learning software, and micro-credentials, can help to close skills gaps in developing countries by improving the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) delivery, particularly as it relates to acquisition and assessment of technical skills.

As guest editors of this Special Issue of Distance Education, this issue harnesses the opportunity to profile African innovations in the areas of open and distance learning, and e-learning. The contributions assembled provide a balanced and engaging series of articles and reports on the kinds of empowerment and development that are extending and enhancing educational opportunity in African schools and universities. Importantly, they also demonstrate that African experiences – positive and negative – have global relevance.

For the first time in the history of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Bulletins, the writing of papers and the production phases of the Bulletin materialised within the context of a global pandemic. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has become a topical area of discussion and engagement across various sectors, including education and training, and developments have gained momentum under Covid-19.

This report reflects on the Indonesian school system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, assesses the influences of these policies on children in Indonesia, and discusses lessons learned. It further synthesizes these lessons into policy recommendations that might guide the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (MoECRT) to recover and to strengthen the system.

The Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative (Gesci), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and other partners, developed an African Leaders in ICT (ALICT) capacity-building programme. The first phase of the programme ran from 2012-2013, focusing on leadership capacitybuilding in twelve countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia).

The Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative (Gesci), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and other partners, developed an African Leaders in ICT (ALICT) capacity-building programme. The first phase of the programme ran from 2012-2013, focusing on leadership capacitybuilding in twelve countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia).

Though much progress has been made, the current level of educational achievement in many developing countries remains low. One proposed solution for improving the quality of education is the use of technology. However, the empirical evidence regarding the success of technology interventions, including interactive smartboards, at improving student outcomes is mixed. Project Sankoré creates a digital classroom through the introduction of simple interactive whiteboard equipment consisting of an interactive whiteboard, a computer, a data projector, and digital resources.

Collaboration between the Rwandan government, the University of Rwanda, and local industry to develop and deploy educator technology-integration professional development initiatives neatly follows the Triple Helix Model[1]. However, in this Rwandan initiative a fourth collaborative partner proved significant, the regional/global education community coordinated by UNESCO’s Regional Office for Eastern Africa.