CARIBBEAN KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING NETWORK (CKLN) Caribbean Internet Forum Nov 6, 2007

The Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean countries by upgrading and diversifying the skills and knowledge of human resources in the Region through greater regional collaboration and connectivity.

There are three specific objectives: Improve the relevance of tertiary education and training by increasing the number of accredited tertiary education programs recognized internationally for their excellence. Establish a Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network to strengthen tertiary institutions, foster specialization and knowledge sharing. Ensure the convergence of fragmented regional and international initiatives to maximize results in the area of tertiary and distance education.

The CKLN Development Plan A Three Phased Approach Strengthening the TEI Establishing the Knowledge & Learning Network Building Capacity at Regional Level

Strengthening the TEI With Grant Funding Commitment of 1.00 Million US$ from the OAS in annual disbursements of $ 75,000 to $250,000 per year for June March 2008 Implemented the following in 9 CARICOM Member States: Institutional Assessments & Strategic Planning in 10 institutions Training of faculty in online course design Development of 5 courses for piloting through regional collaboration Identified Quality Assurance and accreditation issues in delivering programmes through a collaborative model.

Work plans Expand the range of TEI involved in collaboration and Begin Institutional Strengthening at TEI in the following Countries:  Bahamas  Jamaica  Haiti  Suriname  Trinidad & Tobago  Montserrat, BVI and Anguilla

Piloting E-Learning Courses 5 courses will be piloted each with a lead institution plus two or three collaborating institutions Courses were selected on the basis of an identified immediate priority and commitment of the lead institutions and shared interest of the others

PILOT COURSES/PROGRAMMES UG – ENGLISH FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS UB – ICT LITERACY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS SALCC – RECORDS MANAGEMENT (1 course from the Library Technician Diploma SJPP – Small Business & Child Care

The Pilot is testing a Process which involves: 1. Regional collaboration in the development, delivery and quality assurance of courses and programmes 2. International collaboration in the adaptation of existing accredited courses 3. International and regional collaboration in accessing learning resources

Training Programmes Planned Tutor Training –Teaching effectively online and f2f Student Orientation to online Learning Student Services in an online environment

Institutional Capacity: Students Administration Portal development ICT Technical Services to faculty and students Blended Learning institutional policy development National Policy Framework

ICT Assessment An ICT Assessment was carried out of the various public TEIs in CARICOM and the following were identified as essential for the success of eLearning & Distance Learning initiatives: Learning Management System (LMS) Platform Student Records Management System (SRMS) Educational Portal Access to affordable Connectivity

Learning Management System (LMS) Platform Moodle, a very popular Open-Source platform, selected as the LMS. Servers are currently being procured to assist the TEIs involved in the deployment of the pilot courses in the development of those courses. A hosted solution is proposed that will foster collaboration between the TEIs.

Student Records Management System (SRMS) Requirements were identified and further refined. CDB has provided funding for implementation in the OECS TEIs. Procurement is currently underway. Selection by January Leaning heavily towards a hosted solution

Educational Portal A Regional, 1-Stop shop for all aspects of Tertiary Education in the Region. Requirements identified, further refined. Procurement currently underway, expected selection by January 2008.

Other E-Learning initiatives planned by CKLN in Regional Collaboration in DE Consultation – CARICOM/CUPIDE/CKLN initiative 2.Regional collaboration in development & delivery of medical lab technology education & training – CAREC 3.Discussion with ACTI to be initiated in their November 2007 meeting

CONSTRAINTS 1.A Reliable and High Capacity broadband network The initial Plan for a wireless network The new plan for the development of a Knowledge, Education and Research Network in the initial stages of development 2. Potential rural student access to be reviewed in the strategic and national planning process

Knowledge, Education and Research Networks The Access Goal: Anyplace, Anytime, Anywhere, Always And Just in Time

The Challenge The CKLN has been assigned the responsibility and build a Regional Education, Knowledge and Research Network connecting all Member States to provide ubiquitous access to Caribbean nationals wherever they may live. To do this an initial 5M euros has been committed by the EU and 600,000 -IADB

Goals: Provide High Capacity Social Bandwidth to CARICOM countries in support of E-Education, E-Learning, Research, E-Government, E-Health, E-Inclusion, Disaster Management, Regional Security Facilitate connection of Tertiary Education Institutions in the Region to Universities in Europe, the United States and elsewhere for Research, Collaboration and Knowledge sharing. Strategic Regional ICT infrastructure to support and facilitate Functional Cooperation amongst CARICOM Member States and its Regional instituions Bridge the Digital Divide in the Region to achieve Social Cohesion of Caribbean people

Proposed Caribbean Educational Knowledge and Research Network

Regional Network National Network National Network National Network National Network National Network National Network National Network

Use of (Beyond TEI)  E-Learning and Research  E-Health  E-Inclusion  Supports Regional Security  Supports CSME and facilitates strengthening of Caribbean Integration  Significantly reduced costs of Regional travel by public servants

Working Together to Increase Access & Quality in Tertiary Education THANK YOU !