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Latest COL News

The Gambia College enhances ODL learner support services

In partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), The Gambia College conducted…

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Micro-credentials for flexible learning in the Pacific

The University of the South Pacific's (USP) Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL)…

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OER for Quality Teaching in STEM: Solomon Island teachers trained

The Solomon Islands is actively addressing the urgent need to prepare its…

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Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment course starts 25 March 2024

The Commonwealth of Learning’s (COL) fourth offering of the Gender Equality and…

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The Gambia College enhances ODL learner support services.

In partnership with #COL4D, The Gambia College conducted a workshop in November 2023 with the objective of enhancing the capacity of its academic and administrative staff to establish effective, open and distance learning #ODL learner support services. A total of 61 staff participated.

Ms Isatou Ndow, Vice Principal, emphasised the importance of the knowledge and skills acquired during the learner support workshop. She noted, “The success of the workshop has spurred the College’s management to establish a dedicated ODL Unit. This unit will serve as a centralised hub to coordinate all support services for effective ODL delivery.”

Dr Evode Mukama, COL Adviser for Teacher Education, underscored COL’s commitment to supporting institutions in establishing comprehensive learner support services. He added, “Formation of these services marks a significant step toward enhancing the overall quality and accessibility of ODL programmes at the College.”

As a direct outcome of the workshop, a manual was offered to help simplify the framework for setting up and evaluating learner support services in ODL systems at the institutional level, covering critical aspects such as academic, administrative, affective, technical and peer-related support.

The Gambia College enhances ODL learner support services.

In partnership with #COL4D, The Gambia College conducted a workshop in November 2023 with the objective of enhancing the capacity of its academic and administrative staff to establish effective, open and distance learning #ODL learner support services. A total of 61 staff participated.

Ms Isatou Ndow, Vice Principal, emphasised the importance of the knowledge and skills acquired during the learner support workshop. She noted, “The success of the workshop has spurred the College’s management to establish a dedicated ODL Unit. This unit will serve as a centralised hub to coordinate all support services for effective ODL delivery.”

Dr Evode Mukama, COL Adviser for Teacher Education, underscored COL’s commitment to supporting institutions in establishing comprehensive learner support services. He added, “Formation of these services marks a significant step toward enhancing the overall quality and accessibility of ODL programmes at the College.”

As a direct outcome of the workshop, a manual was offered to help simplify the framework for setting up and evaluating learner support services in ODL systems at the institutional level, covering critical aspects such as academic, administrative, affective, technical and peer-related support.
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A study examined African higher education students digital media use for learning. The research findings suggest an emphasis on transmissive learning modes in digital environments, which may not promote active learning. Although African countries have leapfrogged the development of tethered devices and internet applications, connectivity costs, reported incompatibility, technical issues, and low digital proficiency still prevent the upscaling of technology-enhanced learning via mobile devices. You can find out more at: https://jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d/article/view/857 #COL4D #digitallearning #Africa

A study examined African higher education students' digital media use for learning. The research findings suggest an emphasis on transmissive learning modes in digital environments, which may not promote active learning. Although African countries have leapfrogged the development of tethered devices and internet applications, connectivity costs, reported incompatibility, technical issues, and low digital proficiency still prevent the upscaling of technology-enhanced learning via mobile devices. You can find out more at: jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d/article/view/857 #COL4D #DigitalLearning #africa ... See MoreSee Less

Micro-credentials for flexible learning in the Pacific.

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL) recently teamed up with #COL4D to host a three-day workshop on micro-credentials in Fiji from 11 – 14 March 2024.

This event was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand (MFAT), represented by Ms Vena-Liz Upton. She noted MFAT’s focus on ensuring support for Pacific frameworks and ensuring that the region’s voice is heard, mentioning key issues that included managing change, inclusivity, teaching quality and climate change adaptation. An example of this is USP’s new Climate Change Knowledge Hub.

Dr Tony Mays, Director: Education, and Dr Betty Ogange, Education Specialist: Teacher Education from COL led the workshop, along with Ms Terry Neal, an independent expert from New Zealand. Dr Rajni Chand, Director of CFL, was the principal organiser and resource person for the workshop. Dr V. Balaji, Vice President COL, welcomed those present virtually and provided a brief background regarding the breadth and impact of the project.

The workshop brought together 35 participants from 12 countries throughout the Pacific region, including COL Focal Points (senior officials or academics nominated by ministries of education) and academic leaders from USP, the National University of Samoa and the Tonga National University.

On the first day of the workshop, Dr Mays led a session that delved into the various types and formats of micro-credentials, including digital badges, certificates, and nano-credentials. It was emphasised that for a micro-credentialing framework to be effective at institutional, national, and regional levels, there must be a consensus on the terminology, as well as on the standards for quality, assessment criteria, and evidence required for completion. On the subsequent day, Dr Ogange guided a discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating micro-credentials into the qualification frameworks of the University of the South Pacific (USP), addressing considerations at institutional, national and regional scales.

The workshop aimed to enhance understanding and appreciation of the potential benefits that micro-credentials offer for promoting flexible and open education in the Pacific region. Moreover, it sought to highlight their role in facilitating employment and professional development opportunities. The COL-USP workshop also served as a platform for COL Focal Points nominated by Ministries of Education to participate in discussions about micro-credentials and engage in various activities, including a coordination meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)-funded Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning in the Pacific (PODFLP) project. This meeting focused on sharing findings from the recent mid-term project evaluation, outlining planned activities for the final year, and introducing the upcoming end-term evaluation.

Micro-credentials for flexible learning in the Pacific.

The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL) recently teamed up with #COL4D to host a three-day workshop on micro-credentials in Fiji from 11 – 14 March 2024.

This event was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand (MFAT), represented by Ms Vena-Liz Upton. She noted MFAT’s focus on ensuring support for Pacific frameworks and ensuring that the region’s voice is heard, mentioning key issues that included managing change, inclusivity, teaching quality and climate change adaptation. An example of this is USP’s new Climate Change Knowledge Hub.

Dr Tony Mays, Director: Education, and Dr Betty Ogange, Education Specialist: Teacher Education from COL led the workshop, along with Ms Terry Neal, an independent expert from New Zealand. Dr Rajni Chand, Director of CFL, was the principal organiser and resource person for the workshop. Dr V. Balaji, Vice President COL, welcomed those present virtually and provided a brief background regarding the breadth and impact of the project.

The workshop brought together 35 participants from 12 countries throughout the Pacific region, including COL Focal Points (senior officials or academics nominated by ministries of education) and academic leaders from USP, the National University of Samoa and the Tonga National University.

On the first day of the workshop, Dr Mays led a session that delved into the various types and formats of micro-credentials, including digital badges, certificates, and nano-credentials. It was emphasised that for a micro-credentialing framework to be effective at institutional, national, and regional levels, there must be a consensus on the terminology, as well as on the standards for quality, assessment criteria, and evidence required for completion. On the subsequent day, Dr Ogange guided a discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating micro-credentials into the qualification frameworks of the University of the South Pacific (USP), addressing considerations at institutional, national and regional scales.

The workshop aimed to enhance understanding and appreciation of the potential benefits that micro-credentials offer for promoting flexible and open education in the Pacific region. Moreover, it sought to highlight their role in facilitating employment and professional development opportunities. The COL-USP workshop also served as a platform for COL Focal Points nominated by Ministries of Education to participate in discussions about micro-credentials and engage in various activities, including a coordination meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)-funded Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible Learning in the Pacific (PODFLP) project. This meeting focused on sharing findings from the recent mid-term project evaluation, outlining planned activities for the final year, and introducing the upcoming end-term evaluation.
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