Online Distance Education in Developing Countries – Possibilities and Problems

Technology-Enhanced Leaning in Developing Nations: A Review by Shalni Gulati

This paper (from 2008) explores the potentials of distance education and e-learning in developing nations as well as the realities of what is currently happening. While e-learning and a greater emphasis on ICTs is occurring in these countries, in general, the attempts to improve IT access have given the rich, upper middle classes and urban dwellers the benefit, only increasing the divide between these and the poor and rural populations. The paper focuses on the challenges of implementing e-learning for disadvantaged, rural and poor communities. While the potential of e-learning may be great for helping to bring greater educational opportunities to disadvantaged and poor communities, and act as a means of overcoming economic and class barriers, poor policy, lack of funding and infrastructure, and lack of trained teachers are just some of the factors which severely limit any realistic or widespread implementation of the type necessary to effect meaningful change.

This paper was somewhat depressing! It makes sense as during my research I’ve found many articles and websites about University level initiatives designed to promote increased emphasis on e-learning and distance education in developing countries, but not on progress being made in increasing this type of learning for younger and poor and disadvantaged students. Inter country distance learning at University level is increasing as is the number of Universities within developing nations using these methods, but the worrying divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ is increasing as well.

Gulati, S. (2008)Technology-Enhanced Learning in Developing Nations: A review.
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(1) Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/477/1012