Narrowing the gap between the information rich and the information poor :
New technologies and the future of the school

Using technology based community learning centres to improve reading skills

India

The Commonwealth literacy project is a pilot project undertaken in selected Commonwealth countries which would explore ways in which literacy programmes might be enhanced through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In developing countries like India the achievement of universal elementary education still remains a distant dream.
The outcomes of the Commomwealth of Learning (COL) project's are :
- To enhance knowledge of what constitutes appropriate and sustainable use of ICT in literacy education
- To create a cadre of tutors who are knowledgeable in terms of using ICTs in literacy education and are aware of media-based instructional resources on a global level
- To significantly improve knowledge and skills in reading, numeracy and the use of ICT tools for learners participating in the project
- To produce objective data regarding the role of ICT-based CLCs in the education delivery model for the country
- To implement a set of materials for training literacy workers and a set of literacy material

As increasing literacy levels remains the primordial educational challenge facing India, the focus is on the development of literacy materials to be used for direct delivery in the sub-centres through various collaborating organisations. Two state Resource Centres are selected on the basis that they provide the best opportunity to add value to current activities.
The on-site implementation and management of the project has been arranged with the major partner organisation, the Indira Gandhi National Open University ( IGNOU ) according to the realities, needs and current literacy programme content existing in the country.
As creating access to various technologies through pioneering technology-based Community Learning Centres (CLC) is at the core of the implementation of the project, the COL and its country partners share the view that the CLCs should be established on a sustainable basis with suitable and adequate facilities, equipment, network and staff maintenance. The following areas of training have been identified as deserving immediate attention :
- development of computer-based learning materials ;
- tutors with skills to utilise such materiels ;
- literacy workers with skills to use literacy information in a creative way and to operate the various technologies available at the CLCs.

Literacy is essential in today's societies, which rely on written information. The key goal of the project is to demonstrate and evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of technology-based CLCs. Literacy workers will then provide training programmes that develop learner competencies in reading, numeracy and in the use of information and communication appliances. It aims to kick start self-sustaining literacy programmes based in community learning centres, using information and communication technologies ( ICTs ), such as computers and televisions, in the school curriculum.

Dr Glen Farrel
Project Manager
Commonwealth of Learning
Glenf@col.org
www.col.org

Dr Anita Dighe
Director Centre for Extension Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University, India

Centre for Extension Education, Indira Gandhi National open University, India

Financial Partners
British Department for International Development ( BFID )

1998

The independant evaluator of the project is
Dr Judith Calder, Senior Lecturer
Open University in the United Kingdom
calder@open.ac.uk
http://iet.open.ac.uk/pp/j.a.calder/


Commonwealth of Learning « Model for Success » in 2000