Use of ICT in education in the South Pacific: findings of the Pacific eLearning Observatory
. Vol. 29, Iss. 1; pg. 53, 18 pgs
Abstract (Summary)
The Pacific eLearning Observatory at the University of the South Pacific (USP) conducted anonline survey of educational technologists (n = 60) to assess levels of access to information andcommunication technologies (ICT) in education and identify ways of lowering the barriers toICT in the Pacific region. Almost half of USP's 22,000 students are distance based, and access toICT defines their learning activities. The survey addressed perceptions of educational ICT,development strategies and initiatives, and 'guesstimates' of ICT accessibility. Results show ICTaccess between 1 and 11%, with tertiary-level access at 70%. Capacity building, curriculumdevelopment, infrastructure, policy, and government support are the most important developmentfactors. Findings are analysed through eight barriers to education, and proposals are made to helpUSP improve access to ICT in the region. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
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Full Text
(8915 words)Copyright Open & Distance Learning Association of Australia May 2008
[Headnote]
The Pacific eLearning Observatory at the University of the South Pacific (USP) conducted anonline survey of educational technologists (n = 60) to assess levels of access to information andcommunication technologies (ICT) in education and identify ways of lowering the barriers toICT in the Pacific region. Almost half of USP's 22,000 students are distance based, and access toICT defines their learning activities. The survey addressed perceptions of educational ICT,development strategies and initiatives, and 'guesstimates' of ICT accessibility.Results show ICT access between 1 and 11%, with tertiary-level access at 70%. Capacity building, curriculum development, infrastructure, policy, and government support are the mostimportant development factors. Findings are analysed through eight barriers to education, and proposals are made to help USP improve access to ICT in the region.Keywords: development; education; ICT; indicators; PacificIntroductionInformation and communication technologies (
ICT
) are having a revolutionary effect on
school
practices, distance education, as well as government and public sector policies, and commercialand economic growth worldwide. The South Pacific's island nations are no exception to thistrend, with substantial increases
in
the availability of
ICT
and access to the Internet during thelast decade (UNESCO Bangkok, 2003), and
in
particular, an estimated growth of 80%
in
thenumber of distance learners
using ICT
at the University of the South Pacific (USP) between2000 and 2007.Access to ICT is an increasingly important factor in distance education in the South Pacific, andthe barriers to access are numerous. For the purposes of this article, we define ICT in educationas the use of computers, the Internet, and telecommunications networks in teaching and learning.
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