QA4ODFL1/Infrastructure/Creating

Stop and think

How has your school created an enabling ICT environment for teachers and learners?

Open schooling involves a lot of independent learning. There are many challenges that distance learners face when they learn on their own, away from the school premises. These factors include but are not limited to time management, motivation to learn, home environments that may not be conducive to study, and just being able to cope with the learning materials without anybody mediating them. Where technology is used, additional challenges faced include lack of access to relevant technology like computers, tablets or smartphones. In many contexts, learners also experience challenges with unreliable electricity supply, which affects powering of devices. Internet connection is also unstable and many find the cost of data beyond their reach. Open and distance learners need support with technological infrastructure. For example, they need support with computers or tablets, free or subsidised data, power for charging their devices, and support on how to navigate technologies like LMSs.

Learning activity 6: Challenges distance learners face in using technology

You will need 30 minutes to complete this activity.

1. In your contexts, what challenges do distance learners face when using technology in their learning processes?
2. For each challenge you identify, suggest how it might be addressed and by whom?
3. Share your answers in the discussion forum.

Improving ICT infrastructure that supports distance learning requires the joint effort of many stakeholders in a given context. These stakeholders include relevant government ministries, the private sector, individual educational institutions, communities and even parents. The table below shows how these different stakeholders can contribute in creating an enabling ICT environment for distance learners.

Stakeholder	Contribution
Internet providing companies	Install internet signal infrastructure Discounts cost of data for educational purposes
Government	Provides internet in schools Provides the hardware (free or for nominal fees) Trains teachers & and other technical personnel Develops policy on use of ICTs in schools Facilitates broadband penetration in a country
Parents	Provides WiFi in the home Buys hardware for use by learners at home (computers, tablets, smartphones)
Private organisations	Donate computers, tablets, smartphones for use by learners Installing solar power infrastructure Supports training for teachers