Background of BotswanaBackground of Botswana

A South-African country

Independence in 1966

Transformed from poor to a middle-income country

Diamond mining is dominant contributor to economy

Population is just over 2 millions

A South-African country

Independence in 1966

Transformed from poor to a middle-income country

Diamond mining is dominant contributor to economy

Population is just over 2 millions

Educational ContextEducational Context

Developments in education system guided by two main policies

The first policy (1977) …. Focused on building peace and harmony Provided scope to expand educational opportunities

The second policy (1994) …. Intended to prepare Botswana to move from agro-based to industrialized economy

Primary enrolments became almost 100 percent

Challenge faced on increasing percentage of transition from junior secondary to senior secondary and to tertiary education

The Distance Education Division needed up gradation.

Developments in education system guided by two main policies

The first policy (1977) …. Focused on building peace and harmony Provided scope to expand educational opportunities

The second policy (1994) …. Intended to prepare Botswana to move from agro-based to industrialized economy

Primary enrolments became almost 100 percent

Challenge faced on increasing percentage of transition from junior secondary to senior secondary and to tertiary education

The Distance Education Division needed up gradation.

Establishment of BOCODOLEstablishment of BOCODOL

Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL) established in 1998 to extend education to out-of-school youth and adults

Mission to provide quality, innovative ODL programmes and services to clients for global competitiveness

Now in process of becoming an open university, but open schooling will continue

Established strategic partnerships nationally and internationally

In 2006, received international award for Institutional Excellence in Distance Education from COL

Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL) established in 1998 to extend education to out-of-school youth and adults

Mission to provide quality, innovative ODL programmes and services to clients for global competitiveness

Now in process of becoming an open university, but open schooling will continue

Established strategic partnerships nationally and internationally

In 2006, received international award for Institutional Excellence in Distance Education from COL

Scope of the OER Project in BotswanaScope of the OER Project in Botswana

One of five countries in OER development by partnership project

BOCODOL and Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development in partnership with COL to produce open education materials to support secondary-level education across the country

Initial time frame of 14 to 16 months, divided into two phases

First phase - developing print-based materials

Second phase - developing online materials

At the highest level, project coordinated by a steering committee

Executive Director of BOCODOL on committee for Botswana

One of five countries in OER development by partnership project

BOCODOL and Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development in partnership with COL to produce open education materials to support secondary-level education across the country

Initial time frame of 14 to 16 months, divided into two phases

First phase - developing print-based materials

Second phase - developing online materials

At the highest level, project coordinated by a steering committee

Executive Director of BOCODOL on committee for Botswana

Role of BOCODOL as a Project CoordinatorRole of BOCODOL as a Project Coordinator

In Botswana, BOCODOL given mandate and responsibility to coordinate the project on behalf of the ministry

In Botswana, BOCODOL given mandate and responsibility to coordinate the project on behalf of the ministry

Objectives of the OER ProjectObjectives of the OER Project

Development of high-quality OER

Professional development of teachers to increase effective use of technology in classroom

Development of learner-support materials for teachers.

Development of high-quality OER

Professional development of teachers to increase effective use of technology in classroom

Development of learner-support materials for teachers.

Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

Five two-week-long workshops, 3 by COL and 2 by the Country Management Committee (CMC)

First COL workshop Taught how to develop the course blueprint Introduced participants to communication tools

The second COL workshop conducted online To train participants in using Moodle

The third COL workshop Trained to develop online materials.

4th and 5th writing workshops organized by CMC

Five two-week-long workshops, 3 by COL and 2 by the Country Management Committee (CMC)

First COL workshop Taught how to develop the course blueprint Introduced participants to communication tools

The second COL workshop conducted online To train participants in using Moodle

The third COL workshop Trained to develop online materials.

4th and 5th writing workshops organized by CMC

Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

Knowledge and skills gained by OER project team members:

Developing open educational resources using print

Gaining a full understanding of OER

Developing the online materials

Assessing and supporting the online learners

Using different communication platforms

Knowledge and skills gained by OER project team members:

Developing open educational resources using print

Gaining a full understanding of OER

Developing the online materials

Assessing and supporting the online learners

Using different communication platforms

Supporting work of teachers Improving quality of education Promoting self-directed study Increasing awareness of benefits of OER materials

Supporting work of teachers Improving quality of education Promoting self-directed study Increasing awareness of benefits of OER materials

Impact on Open School CultureImpact on Open School Culture

Communication, information, document-sharing and project management were internet-based

Used Basecamp, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, WikiEducator, etc.

Communication, information, document-sharing and project management were internet-based

Used Basecamp, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, WikiEducator, etc.

Instructional DesignInstructional Design

Use of ICTs Use of ICTs

Quality ControlQuality Control

Initial timelines could not be maintained for not understanding the magnitude of job and workload

Initial timelines could not be maintained for not understanding the magnitude of job and workload

TimelinesTimelines

Collaboration made with other country teams Collaboration made with other country teams

Copyright issuesCopyright issues

CollaborationCollaboration

Copyright principles observed

Creative Commons licenses included in draft Copyright Policy

Workshop organized for BOCODOL staff

Copyright principles observed

Creative Commons licenses included in draft Copyright Policy

Workshop organized for BOCODOL staff

Address challenges faced to lay foundation for sustainability

Cascade knowledge acquired to other teachers/educators

Ensure that ideals behind using OER are internalized by all

Build communities of people interested in OER development

Regular training on new approaches to developing ODL materials

Training for resource personnel, monitoring and evaluation

Address challenges faced to lay foundation for sustainability

Cascade knowledge acquired to other teachers/educators

Ensure that ideals behind using OER are internalized by all

Build communities of people interested in OER development

Regular training on new approaches to developing ODL materials

Training for resource personnel, monitoring and evaluation

SustainabilitySustainability

College has adequate ICT infrastructure to support future initiatives

College is working on developing an OER and Copyright Policy to mainstream OER into the institution’s operations

All these initiatives indicate that the college is committed to the use of OER

College has adequate ICT infrastructure to support future initiatives

College is working on developing an OER and Copyright Policy to mainstream OER into the institution’s operations

All these initiatives indicate that the college is committed to the use of OER

Readiness of BOCODOL to continue with the initiativeReadiness of BOCODOL to continue with the initiative

Contracts/agreements with non-BOCODOL staffContracts/agreements with non-BOCODOL staff

Project in time and commitment required was not very clear BOCODOL had to convince other institutions to get teachers free Project in time and commitment required was not very clear BOCODOL had to convince other institutions to get teachers free

Access to computers by teachersAccess to computers by teachers

Teachers had to work outside working hours BOCODOL loaned laptops to all for 24-hour access to computers Teachers had to work outside working hours BOCODOL loaned laptops to all for 24-hour access to computers

Access to the internet by teachersAccess to the internet by teachers

Internet access only during working hours with low bandwidth Was overcome by providing mobile internet access to all teachers Internet access only during working hours with low bandwidth Was overcome by providing mobile internet access to all teachers

Adequate release time for teachersAdequate release time for teachers

Teachers were not released from their regular commitments Gave priority to core work and put aside project, caused delays Teachers were not released from their regular commitments Gave priority to core work and put aside project, caused delays

Financial supportFinancial support

Writers were not happy with project rates Rates for non-BOCODOL staff participants eventually increased Writers were not happy with project rates Rates for non-BOCODOL staff participants eventually increased

WorkloadWorkload

Participants faced difficulties in managing workload for not being relieved of their normal responsibilities

Participants faced difficulties in managing workload for not being relieved of their normal responsibilities

Future of OER in education delivery within the countryFuture of OER in education delivery within the country

Capacity for developing OER within BOCODOL has increased

College has undertaken various initiatives to ensure sustainable use of OER

A positive outcome of project - material created will be available for use by all in the education system

All that is needed now - means to cascade knowledge and skills acquired for benefit of others

Capacity for developing OER within BOCODOL has increased

College has undertaken various initiatives to ensure sustainable use of OER

A positive outcome of project - material created will be available for use by all in the education system

All that is needed now - means to cascade knowledge and skills acquired for benefit of others

Challenges and how they were addressedChallenges and how they were addressed

Benefits of the project to the countryBenefits of the project to the country

Through involvement in project, BOCODOL has produced useful teaching and learning resources for open schooling

The materials can be used by teachers while teaching or by individual learners as self-directed study resources

Through involvement in project, BOCODOL has produced useful teaching and learning resources for open schooling

The materials can be used by teachers while teaching or by individual learners as self-directed study resources

Opportunities for future collaborationOpportunities for future collaboration

College now participates in a number of collaborative projects to produce OER course material

There are plans to participate in more number collaborative projects internationally

College now participates in a number of collaborative projects to produce OER course material

There are plans to participate in more number collaborative projects internationally