Diffusion of Appropriate Educational Technology in Open & Distance Learning in Developing Commonwealth Countries. Final Project Report.

N

53

Adoption (Ideas); Adult Education; Appropriate Technology; Attitude Change; Case Studies; Change Agents; Change Strategies; Computer Uses in Education; Delivery Systems; Developing Nations; Diffusion (Communication); Distance Education; Educational Attitudes; Educational Change; Educational Needs; Educational Policy; Educational Technology; Field Studies; Foreign Countries; Information Technology; Internet; Linking Agents; Literature Reviews; Open Education; Policy Formation; Postsecondary Education; Program Development; Program Effectiveness; Research Utilization; Science and Society; Shared Resources and Services; Strategic Planning; Synthesis; Technological Advancement; Technology Planning; Technology Transfer; Transfer of Training; Use Studies

Africa; Asia

The Diffusion of Appropriate Educational Technology in Open and Distance Learning in Developing Countries project was designed to determine awareness and use of educational technologies and communications media in developing countries, to identify factors constraining wider use of educational technologies by developing nations, and to explore possible solutions to the problem. The project consisted of the following phases: (1) a literature search and document review; (2) surveys and in-country research of selected programs and institutions; and (3) field study trials in eight countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The following were among the factors constraining wider use of educational technology: lack of skilled personnel, data transmission lines, and Internet service providers; lack of policy and coordination; high costs of technology; and inadequate demonstration of courseware's pedagogical value. The field trials demonstrated the following things: (1) training in new systems is essential for their use; (2) users who are informed of the benefits of change are more likely to consider it seriously and support its adoption; and (3) change requires policy and vision. The study yielded specific recommendations regarding the following areas: strategic policy and planning; research and knowledge bases; and developing and demonstrating new approaches and models and offering training to support them. (MN)

2002

ED464237