Discussion of the PANdora research model (audio only)
(online presentation, Global Knowledge Conference 2007)
From 2005 - 2008, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funded a major series of distance learning studies in its Asian region. Nine collaborative projects were conducted by teams in 14 countries of the Pan Asia Networking (PAN) region. The Project Coordinator was Dr. Naveed Malik (Rector: Virtual University of Pakistan), responsible for overall coordination and administration of the nine simultaneous sub-projects. The Deputy Coordinator was Dr. Tian Belawati (Vice-Rector for Academic
Affairs: Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia). The 'PAN-dora' web site provides a focal point for information about the projects, and for online collaboration among the project teams.
The goal of the PANdora projects is to develop practices and policies enhancing the use of distance learning technologies (DLT) in Asia. A model for the projects is the myth of Pandora's Box.
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman. A beautiful box was given to her, with instructions that she should never look inside it. Consumed by curiosity, Pandora opened the box and released all the cares and problems of the world. At the bottom of the box she found Hope, and the promise that through ingenuity and hard work the world can become a better place.
In Asia, demographic pressure has strained the education sector to the point that many countries may not meet their education targets within the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Information and communication technology (ICT)-based distance education programs or e-learning have been effective in increasing access to educational services but some challenges remain.
In an effort to address these challenges, the IDRC has funded a second project titled Openness and Quality in Asian Distance Education that seeks to benchmark good practices and ensure quality in distance education delivery. Starting in January 2010, the three year project aims to establish a set of quality assurance standards and performance indicators for Asian ICT-supported distance education in various settings (formal, informal, life-long); assess the impact and viability of open educational resources (OERs); and investigate ways of increasing access to adult education services responding to rural livelihood and health needs in poorly-resourced rural, remote or marginalized communities. The research will be carried out by a network of universities, training organizations and rural learning communities in 11 countries, some experienced (Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan) and some new to the practice of distance education (Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Tibet Autonomous Region). The research will be conducted under the leadership of the Wawasan Open University in Penang, Malaysia, and the Virtual University of Pakistan in Lahore.
