The short answer is yes. Can technology address the
challenges faced by higher education? Has it increased access and bridged
divides? Has technology led to improved outcomes? Heads of Government created
COL with the express mandate to use distance learning and technologies to
increase access to quality education and training.
I believes
that technology mediated teaching and learning can transform lives, making
access to education available to anyone, anytime, anywhere. However, the choice
of technology must depend on whether it is appropriate, available and
affordable. Technology by itself cannot be a panacea for all that ails higher
education today but must be placed in an appropriate social, cultural and
political context.
In
2012, there were 165 million tertiary education students globally, and it is
estimated that the number will grow to 522 million by 2035. The gross enrolment
ratio in higher education in 2015 is 30.6, while it is 8.5 in sub-Saharan
Africa and 20.8 in South Asia. Projections based on data from International
Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) shows that most populous
countries like China and India will have 14.16% and 17.02% of population with a
degree by 2050. As more countries achieve universal secondary education, the
demand for higher education will continue to escalate.
Brick
and mortar institutions will not be able to absorb the surging demand.
Alternative options will be required and technology will play a significant
role in enabling institutions to expand. In the United States, 29.7% of all
students enrolled in 2015 were taking at least one distance course. A recent
study on Open Universities in the Commonwealth revealed that there were over
4.4 million students in 27 open universities alone. In 2017, over 78 million
learners were reached by over 9,400 massive open online courses (MOOCs) offered
by over 800 universities. In terms of outcomes, research shows that there is
‘no significant difference’ in the learning outcomes of campus, distance or
online learners.
Conclusion:
The COL experience shows that to use technology effectively in teaching and
learning, it is important to focus on: (i) policy, (ii) capacity, and (iii)
appropriate technology. Integrating these three dimensions help universities to
leverage the power of technology to increase access, improve quality and
sustainability. We have been supporting policy development for technology-enabled
learning, capacity building for blended learning delivery as well as online
delivery of programmes
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