Openness in Teacher Education: Extending the Conversation Beyond PCF11
As the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) reflects on the outcomes of the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11), what stands out clearly, “Teachers as skilled agents of change”. Highlighted in Collective Action 4 of the PCF11 Gaborone Statement, underscores the vital role of teachers in advancing open, agile, and collaborative approaches to teacher development across the Commonwealth.
From across the Commonwealth, educators along with policy from nine countries came together at #PCF11BW for a pre-event workshop on openness in teacher education to advance collaboration under COL’s Network for Open Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (NOTES) project.
The workshop, also attended by the Hon. Sandra V. Husbands, Minister for Training and Tertiary Education for Barbados, Hon. Sandra V. Husbands - explored the transformative potential of openness and co-creation in teacher education.
Participants engaged with the OER Teacher Education Framework, refining its six domains to guide teacher educators and teachers in integrating Open Educational Resources (OER) in teacher preparation and practice, especially in the era of Generative AI.
Key outcomes from the workshop included:
- Commitment by participants to scale up OER co-creation and embed open practices in curricula and policy.
- Stronger institutional and cross-country partnerships through the NOTES network, including commitment to a shared research agenda on openness in teacher education.
- Refinement of the OER Teacher Education Framework, ensuring it is agile and adaptable to diverse contexts.
- Identification of capacity-building priorities, including digital literacy, cybersecurity, and responsible use of AI.
- Opportunities for cross-continental engagement for knowledge and policy exchange in the evolving network of practice.
Together, we are advancing teacher education through openness, because when teachers lead, learning transforms across the Commonwealth.
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Happy 44th Independence Day, Dominica!
Dominica is strengthening its education system and expanding opportunities for learners nationwide. The country continues to strengthen its role in open and distance learning, including with partnerships that COL has developed with the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence and the Climate Resilience Execution Agency of Dominica (CREAD).
Recent highlights include:
- Online platform developed for disaster management.
- The Centre where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve, Dominica developed an institutional open and distance learning (ODL) strategy and action plan.
Dominica’s path forward is one of building inclusive higher education systems, expanding technology-enabled learning, and ensuring that open education bridges digital divides while fostering equal opportunities for all.
Ministry of Education, HR Planning, Vocational Training & Nat'l Excellence
Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica
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Happy 44th Independence Day, Antigua and Barbuda!
Antigua and Barbuda continues to make strides in inclusive and sustainable education, including strengthening its efforts in open and distance learning.
COL values its key partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Antigua State College and the University of the West Indies.
Recent achievements with these institutions in collaboration with COL VUSSC include:
- Antigua State College has set up a state-of-the-art solar-powered multimedia courseware development studio with COL support.
- The Agriculture Extension Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs has developed a draft strategy for self-sufficiency in poultry production.
These achievements reflect Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to equity, resilience, and innovation in education and community development.
Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda in Toronto
Antigua Ministry of Agriculture,Lands, Fisheries & The Blue Economy
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