Neil Butcher The Partnership for Higher Education in Africa Educational Technology Initiative

Project Goal The purpose of the project is to support interventions in universities supported by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa (PHEA) to make increasingly effective use of educational technology to address some of the underlying educational challenges facing the higher educational sector in Africa. This will require a focus on capacity development to initiate and sustain effective educational technology projects which impact on the nature and quality of the student learning experience and outcomes, as well as a focus on knowledge creation and dissemination across and between partner universities on the use of educational technology.

Part A Products A model for engaging institutions in the development of effective, integrated Educational Technology Plans. Seven comprehensive Educational Technology Plans. A network of researchers established across participating institutions. A coordinated research programme, which comprises local-level research activities conceptualized and developed under the auspices of an overarching set of questions.

Emerging Lessons (1) Unpredictable events are the norm, so this reality should be factored into project design and timing Keep expectations of what will be delivered realistic and modest, rather than overloading the project designs with highly ambitious objectives Ensure that timeframes to achieve objectives are kept tight, but leave space towards the end of these timeframes to absorb unexpected delays Working through rigid hierarchies creates problems in communication and implementation

Emerging Lessons (2) Often, educational technology units are marginalized within institutions Capacity development is a key need, including ability to design projects that: (a) have clearly identifiable, specific, and realistic deliverables; (b) respond to already identified institutional priorities; and (c) are properly budgeted, with full analysis of all resource inputs required for implementation Paucity of ICT infrastructure remains a major barrier to deployment of technology for educational purposes. Simplicity is key to success and success is key to future success

Publishing Results See the results on: (follow links to the PHEA Educational Technology Initiative)