Conversion
of Zimbabwe Open University to
Decentralized Web-Based Learning
Prepared by K. Peter Dzvimbo, Ph.D. and Peter T. Knight, Ph.D.
Objective
Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Zimbabwe’s
leading distance and open learning institution, seeks external technical
and financial assistance to meet the capital costs of its planned
transition from print-based to web-based delivery of learning materials.
Background
ZOU was conceived as the Centre for Distance
Education at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in 1993, and then in 1996
became the University College of Distance Education before becoming an
independent institution in 1999. In its first 18 months as an
independent institution it went from 12,000 to over 20,000 enrolments,
over twice as many as its parent institution. ZOU’s Vice Chancellor
(equivalent of President in a US institution), Professor Peter Dzvimbo,
received his Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin.
The Project
ZOU seeks to expand dramatically its operations
first in Zimbabwe, second in Anglophone SADDC countries, and third in
other countries of Africa using primarily web-based teaching and
learning, delivered via the Internet, reaching a total enrolment in all
programs (including continuing education for lifelong learners) of
150,000 by the year 2004, and by that year become fully financially
self-supporting for its current operations.
ZOU requires external financial assistance to
support its 2001-2004 Strategic Plan. Given the difficult macro-economic
situation facing Zimbabwe, ZOU cannot count on sufficient funding from
the Ministry of Higher Education and Technology or student fees
(currently making up 45 percent of ZOU’s budget) and other forms of
self-finance to meet its capital funding, including staff training.
Phase
I –2001-2002
- Establishing broadband links to the Internet through
connecting to UZ’s fiber optic system that is expected to have a
satellite link to the backbone of the Internet in the United States
by the early in the year 2001.
- Purchasing and installing central servers; clusters of
cheap network computers on each floor of the existing rented campus,
in the central library in downtown Harare, and in each of ten
regional centers, all linked by fiber optic lines (using existing
fiber belonging to the electric power company, the railroads, and/or
the telco); equipment and software for a multimedia computer-based
production center capable of producing broadcast quality and
compressed digital video, audio, animated graphics, CD-ROMs, and
desktop publishing for print materials; integrated software for
online administration and learning environments; and upgrading all
staff desktop computers to year 2001 WinTel models from a major
producer (Compaq, Dell, etc.) running Windows 2000 and a full MS
Office suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher,
and FrontPage), with needed peripherals, but not networked to the
main servers until a permanent central campus is acquired). Subject
to competitive bids to local and international suppliers importers
willing to provide installation and maintenance contracts.
- External technical assistance: Training ZOU staff in
Zimbabwe to convert and update existing course modules (giving first
priority to the flagship Bachelor in Education program) and write
all new course materials into HTML-based formats (web pages),
complete with graphics, animated graphics, audio clips, and video
clips using modern instructional design and placing these course
materials both on the central servers and CD-ROMs; training all
teaching staff on the pedagogy of web-based instruction; providing
online or CD-based instruction English writing, with priority to
writing for the web, with customized templates for the production of
instructional materials (http://ClearWriter.com);
assisting ZOU management in preparing detailed feasibility studies
for Phase II; representation for fundraising in the US and Europe
for two years. Contractor Knight-Moore Telematics for Education and
Development through Communications Development Incorporated (http://knight-moore.com
and http://cdinet.com)
- Becoming a member of African Virtual University (AVU),
or at a minimum, attaining access to AVU’s digital library, either
as an independent member or through UZ.
- Building or purchasing a permanent central campus
primarily for administration, research, library, staff training,
design and production of teaching materials, and maintenance of an
Internet-based communications hub.
- Purchasing or leasing a VSAT hub capable of
communicating via a high-powered digital satellite transponder with
at least 1000 learning centers (owned principally by strategic
partners – ministries, parastatals, private sector enterprises,
churches, NGOs, etc.) consisting of a cluster of cheap network
computers, a networked printer and other peripherals, and
appropriate furniture in a secure room with a digital decoder, small
(approximately 60 cm to 1 meter) satellite dish capable of both
receiving and transmitting, and a source of electric power (regular
power grid, generator, or solar panels). Contractor Hughes or Gilat,
via competitive bid.
- Space segment – on a digital satellite with strong
footprint over Sub-Saharan Africa – this component would be
submitted to the proposed Global Service Trust Fund (GSTF) for
funding.
- Continued training, representation and fundraising
contract for two years. Contractor, Knight-Moore Telematics for
Education and Development through Communications Development
Incorporated.
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