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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The Women’s Development Centre in #SriLanka partners with the Commonwealth of Learning's Empowering Women & Girls (EWG) project. Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada(GAC) and #COL4D initiated the three-year EWG project in 2023 to improve the realisation of human rights for women and girls from disadvantaged communities in selected areas of five Commonwealth member states, including Sri Lanka.
#EmpoweringWomen #GenderEquality #HumanRights #WomensDevelopment #GirlsEducation #GlobalAffairsCanada #CommonwealthOfLearning #WomensEmpowerment #SocialImpact #InclusiveDevelopment #SriLankaInitiatives #CommunityDevelopment #COL4D #WomenAndGirls #GlobalPartnerships
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COL supporting cross-national OER sharing for teacher development.
To address the growing need for localised and inclusive resources in teacher training in Africa, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) #COL4D recently supported a three-day workshop on creating, adapting, and using open educational resources (OER). The workshop at the Wits School of Education brought together 22 participants from #Botswana, #Nigeria, #Rwanda, and #SouthAfrica, including senior education officials.
In his opening remarks, Dr Justinus Setshedi, Director for Teacher Professional Development at the Department of Higher Education, South Africa, emphasised the need for policies to support the integration of OER into African teacher education programmes, adding that "Developing an OER policy tailored for teacher education in South Africa is not just a goal. It is a necessity if we are to address the unique challenges faced by our learners and teachers.”
This activity addresses findings from a recent study involving institutions in Botswana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. The study highlighted that 85 per cent of teacher educators need further training in open educational practices (OEP), emphasising the need for capacity-building initiatives.
The sessions introduced participants to key concepts and strategies for creating, adapting, and sharing OER in teacher education. Topics included the foundational principles of OER, evaluating resources relevant to the African context, adapting materials to meet local needs, and licensing resources under Creative Commons.
The workshop also featured case studies on how OER has enhanced education outcomes, opportunities for global collaboration, and resources available through regional OER networks. Participants reflected on how these strategies could address systemic challenges in teacher education, such as improving resource accessibility and enhancing teacher competencies across different countries.
COL’s Education Specialist for Teacher Education, Dr Betty Ogange, stated, “By building the capacity of teacher educators to create and use localised OER, we are not only strengthening teaching practices but also laying a foundation for equitable and contextually relevant education systems across Africa.”
The workshop concluded with participants collaboratively designing a roadmap to co-develop an OER module for teacher education, scheduled for completion in February 2025.
Link to news: www.col.org/news/col-supporting-cross-national-oer-sharing-for-teacher-development/
#TeacherDevelopment #OpenEducation #OERSharing #WitsUniversity #EducationForAll #CrossNationalCollaboration #OpenEducationalResources #GlobalEducation #EdTech #TeacherTraining #SustainableDevelopment #LifelongLearning #EducationInnovation #LearningForAll
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