Uni Einrichtungen ZEF DESDe   

Professional Seminar Distance Education in Developing Countries

The course is offered on demand. Inquiries at:
thomas.huelsmann@uni-oldenburg.de

A pilot version of the course was taught in conjunction with the Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN) of the World Bank.

Objectives and outcomes

The seminar discusses issues on distance education in developing countries with a focus on how new information and communication technologies impact on distance education in the developing world. The seminar is an open forum for discussion of interested professionals, including educators (especially distance educators), educational planners, and those working with educational technologies. At the end of the seminar participants will have a wider understanding of distance education and the impact of ICT on distance education in developing countries.

The seminar’s objectives include:

• to enhance knowledge on distance education;

• to survey ICT applications in developing countries;

• to review the history and applications of distance education in the developing world;

• to discuss the impact of ICT development on DE in the developing world.





The intended outcome of the seminar is that participants have an enlarged and critically grounded knowledge of distance education in developing countries especially with regard to the impact of ICTs. In addition, participants are confident in the use of a learning platform (LLS).

Module titles

The seminar takes the form of a paced discussion between professionals. It comprises three modules: (i) Foundations of Distance Education, (ii) Distance Education in Developing Countries, and (iii) ICT and Distance Education in Developing Countries. For these three topics we offer the opportunity for a structured discussion based on a number of selected readings.

Foundations of Distance Education

Participants will review the essentials of distance education, including its definition, its history, its theory and pedagogy, as well as the institutional and organizational modes of distance education.
Participants will understand the central role of media/educational technologies in distance education; they discuss issues of cost-effectiveness including methodological problems, the cost-efficiency of distance education institutions, and of educational media and technologies.

Distance Education in Developing Countries

Participants reviews the history, scope and application of distance education in the developing world and examine the evidence on its cost-effectiveness. Discussions include basic education, alternative routs to school education, teacher training and higher education.

ICT for Distance Education in Developing Countries

Participants review the different ICT applications relevant for distance education in developing countries. Case studies of different applications are examined.

Participants review the development of ICT. Discussing various aspects (including: digitization, internet, cable and satellites, convergence) participants will perceive an emerging global information infrastructure. Special attention will be given to the question of relevance of ICT for development.

Mode of instruction

CMC using LLS (client view). Provided CD-ROM including LLS installation and library of readings.

Note: The client view of LLS, and sending the course library as CD-ROM, minimizes online-time requirement to ‘replication’ time only. Neither is it necessary to work online, not to download large files.

In addition two videoconferences (beginning and end of course) are scheduled.