Open education for a brighter future: COL celebrates International Day of Education 2025.
By Dr Tony Mays
Director: Education COL
As @COL4D commemorates International Day of Education on 24 January 2025, it is always helpful to reflect on what we have achieved, where we are falling short and where we should be heading if we are to be prepared for an uncertain future.
As has been widely recognised, Sustainable Development Goal 4 #SDG4 on Quality Education is needed for success in all the other sustainable development goals, and there is a wealth of evidence of the benefits of education for continued economic development and more open societies. Over the years, we have made great strides towards universal primary education and improved enrolment in secondary education, technical and vocational education, and tertiary education.
Despite this, many countries still have large, and in some cases growing, numbers of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET). We are building and staffing too few new schools, colleges and universities to accommodate the need. Moreover, we are seeing a growing gap between the expectations of learners, teachers, employers, and wider society, suggesting that conventional approaches to curriculum and assessment are no longer fit for the purpose.
There is an urgent need to address both changes in technology that enable different modes of learning and teaching, as well as the changing nature of employment.
This means we must focus more on learning how to learn in a changing world.
In turn, it will require more open, flexible and lifelong provision informed by developments in Generative AI, exploring the potential of stackable micro-credentials to enable just-in-time learning in manageable bite-size chunks, the changing needs of workplaces and the changing needs and preferences of individual lifelong learners.
#COL4D #InternationalDayofEducation #QualityEducation #EducationDay2025 #lifelonglearning #educationforall #AIinEducation #microcredentials #SkillsForTheFuture #sustainabledevelopment
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COL-VUSSC announce Webinar Series #3 “Disability Inclusion in ODL: Diversity and Ability”
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) @COL4D, through its Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) initiative, is organising the third instalment in the webinar series, “VUSSC Voices”, with a focus on Disability and Inclusion in ODL.
The webinar will focus on embracing diversity and the importance of connectedness within communities because everyone matters. A key aspect of the presentation will address ways of transforming narratives and educational systems to create learning environments that welcome diversity of thought and unlock the hidden assets of all learners, especially those in the online and distant learning environment.
COL is committed to expanding tertiary education in the Commonwealth Member States through distance modes and enabling small states to be active participants in the world of online learning to bridge digital divides while heightening awareness around persons with disabilities (PWD) and building the capacity of tertiary systems to be responsive to their needs.
To this end, COL works with Ministries and their agencies, post-secondary institutions, professional bodies and NGOs to implement a range of activities aimed at addressing common areas of concern. Successfully addressing shared interests and common concerns through collaboration requires opportunities for engagement, interaction and sharing of ideas and experiences. The “VUSSC Voices” webinars are held bi-monthly to respond to these interests and concerns.
Next event
Date & Time: Wednesday, 29 January 2025 at 09:00 hrs PDT/Vancouver (Time Zone converter)
Chair: Dr Schontal Moore, COL Adviser: VUSSC
Presenter: Mr Atif Choudhury, Co-Founder and CEO of Diversity and Ability, UK: “The Debt We Owe to Difference”
Webinar Objectives:
- To expand and strengthen alliances among VUSSC stakeholders.
- To facilitate sharing experiences, explore responses to common challenges, provide guidance, and promote knowledge sharing and collaboration across Commonwealth countries.
- To discuss the challenges faced by small states in the Commonwealth in accessing high-quality post-secondary education.
- To highlight how COL/VUSSC addresses these challenges through collaborative development and distance learning.
To register, visit: bit.ly/40eRnFZ
For more information, click here: commonwealthoflearning.info/VUSSC-Voices-Webinar-3
Link to news: www.col.org/news/col-vussc-announce-webinar-series-3-disability-inclusion-in-odl-diversity-and-ab...
#DisabilityInclusion #ODL #InclusiveEducation #AccessibilityInEducation #DiversityAndAbility #COLWebinar #VUSSC #OpenLearning #DistanceEducation #EducationForAll
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