Commonwealth to enhance ICT training in tertiary institutions

The initiative is being targeted at tertiary education institutions by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

Named the Commonwealth Computer Navigator's Certificate (CCNC), the programme will be designed to enable prospective learners to become full participants of the knowledge society.

In phase one of the project, an open invitation to join the initiative will be sent to tertiary education institutions across the Commonwealth. After refining existing course materials, a pilot project offering the certificate will be launched.

“Free content is a new miracle in education," said Sir John Daniel, President and Chief Executive Officer of COL. “We must dispel the myth that developing societies cannot participate equally in virtual methods of educational design and delivery. We can do this by creating more opportunities to acquire the prerequisite ICT skills, thereby throwing a wide bridge across the digital divide.”

Sir John added that the initiative will be closely associated with the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth, whose creation COL is facilitating on behalf of 24 small states.

Using its expertise in distance education, COL will focus on allowing learners to acquire ICT skills in the tools of their choice.

“We hope to provide an alternative for people to acquire ICT skills without being tempted into the illegal use of pirated software due to a lack of funds,” said Wayne Mackintosh, education specialist for e-learning and ICT policy at COL.

CCNC developments will be hosted on COL's WikiEducator at http://www.wikieducator.org/.

The Commonwealth of Learning is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies.

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service - Issue 305, 4 October 2006

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• Commonwealth of Learning
• COL WikiEducator