COMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING A feasibility study for a Virtual University for Small Commonwealth States Dato Prof Gajaraj Dhanarajan Dr Glen Farrell

HALIFAX RESOLUTION... to develop a proposal for a virtual university to particularly serve the small states of the Commonwealth, using existing structures and capacity.

THE PROCESS n Established technical advisory committee which reviewed:  higher education in small states  current models of virtual universities  trends in use of ICT  draft proposal with a group of small state ministers n Consulted widely

FEASIBILITY? n A virtual university for small commonwealth states is feasible n However -

IT MUST BE UNIQUE! n Enable small states to be contributors as well as consumers n Add value to existing institutions n Able to evolve and change quickly n Enable delivery in different formats, adaptable to different technological environments

TRENDS IN VIRTUAL EDUCATION n New organisations  Consortia  Brokers  Old wine/new bottles

TRENDS IN VIRTUAL EDUCATION n New technologies  Wireless  Bandwidth  Mobile devices  Open source software and courseware

TRENDS IN VIRTUAL EDUCATION ADOPTION OF COMMON STANDARDS n Technical n Course material development n Cataloguing and classification

TRENDS IN VIRTUAL EDUCATION n Learning in:  Homes  Classroom  Community centres  Workplace n Teaching methods  Use of many technologies  Classroom teaching and independent study More choices for where and how to learn:

TRENDS IN VIRTUAL EDUCATION New formats for developing curriculum content:  Learning objects  Online content repositories

LEARNING OBJECTS “A learning object is any entity that can be stored digitally, can be used, re-used, customised if permitted, or referenced during a learning experience” Adapted from: “A learning object is any entity, digital or non-digital, that can be used, re-used, or referenced during technology-supported learning”. (IEEE LTSC 2000)

EXAMPLES OF LEARNING OBJECTS n Print material such as a chapter in a book n A computer simulation of a science experiment n A set of forms, diagram or picture to help a teacher present a concept to learners n A audio clip or its transcript n A “how to”, case study, good practice paper

Learning Objects n Can be catalogued to enable:  Searching and selection  Content management  Updating n Can be:  Aggregated  Recombined  Revised

AN ONLINE REPOSITORY n A database of curriculum content (learning objects) n Common technical standards for data transfer and sharable storage capacity n Can be shared among institutions n Created by:  Re-purposing existing materials  Developing new materials  Licensed access to other repositories n Created, maintained, operated for the benefit of small Commonwealth states

Commonwealth: Learning Object Repository Linked to other global repositories LINKING THE REPOSITORY TO SMALL STATES

Institutional server Reference Materials, eBooks, journals, URLs, etc. Whole courses for classes, ODL learners, etc. Processes to create learning materials using learning objects Conversion to mass media formats Commonwealth: Learning Object Repository Linked to other global repositories LINKING THE REPOSITORY TO SMALL STATES

Institutional server Reference Materials, eBooks, journals, URLs, etc. Whole courses for classes, ODL learners, etc. Processes to create learning materials using learning objects Conversion to mass media formats Commonwealth: Learning Object Repository Linked to other global repositories Formal, informal, non-formal learners Classroom, Learning Centres, Independent Study, Broadcast Media LINKING THE REPOSITORY TO SMALL STATES

Commonwealth: Learning Object Repository Institutional server Formal, informal, non-formal learners Reference Materials, eBooks, journals, URLs, etc. Whole courses for classes, ODL learners, etc. Processes to create learning materials using learning objects Conversion to mass media formats Access for Learners Global Interactions Institutional Applications Classroom, Learning Centres, Independent Study, Broadcast Media Linked to other global repositories

Where do repositories reside? Diagram 3

A VISION FOR A VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY n Consortium of existing institutions n Primary focus on developing content for delivery by members n Able to add additional services as needed n Members govern

ADDED INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES n Identify programmes of common interest n Develop & access content databases n Tailor instruction to different learner groups n Members deliver instruction independently or collaboratively n Enhanced learner support services n Issue awards as members determine

ACTION PLAN n Development of governance model n Definition of consortium membership n Preparation of corporate plan n Preparation of marketing plan n Prioritisation of needs n Inventory of content, programmes and expertise extant in small states & elsewhere n Quality assurance procedures n Description of required technical infrastructure

Financial Plan

ESTIMATED COST FOR FIRST 5 YEAR US MILLIONS n Content creation & management8.8 n Programme delivery/support7.2 n Leadership & development5.2 n TOTAL21.2

YEARLY FUNDING REQUIREMENTS n YEAR 12.7 n YEAR 23.5 n YEAR 36.6 n YEAR 44.2 n YEAR 54.2 Total21.2

THE RESULTS n Expanded access to learning n Leaders in education reform n Cutting edge n “Players” in global development

TO ENABLE INSTITUTIONS TO MANAGE MORE EFFECTIVELY COURSE DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTING LEARNERS EFFECTIVE TEACHING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

AS MEMBERS OF A NETWORK OF INSTITUTIONS VU

WITH LINKAGES TO GLOBAL NETWORKS... DECENTRALISED “HUB AND SPOKE” Internet “cloud”

RECOMMENDATIONS n Endorse this proposal n Identify a Commonwealth organisation to provide leadership for this initiative over the first five years n Mobilise the resources necessary for implementation of the proposal Ministers are encouraged to:

A feasibility study for a Virtual University for Small Commonwealth States Discussion Dato Prof Gajaraj Dhanarajan Dr Glen Farrell