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Digital Libraries 2011 Digital Libraries for North Africa

Digital Libraries 2011 Digital Libraries for North Africa. Robert Schware, PhD Managing Director, Global Learning Portal Academy for Educational Development Melissa Beuoy, MLIS Digital Librarian, Global Learning Portal Academy for Educational Development. Rwanda Education Commons.

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Digital Libraries 2011 Digital Libraries for North Africa

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  1. Digital Libraries 2011Digital Libraries for North Africa Robert Schware, PhD Managing Director, Global Learning Portal Academy for Educational Development Melissa Beuoy, MLIS Digital Librarian, Global Learning Portal Academy for Educational Development

  2. Rwanda Education Commons Collaboration Between Partners

  3. The Rwanda Education Commons REC is a USAID-funded project that supports the Education Sector Strategic Plan’s focus on improving access to quality multimedia educational resources, and facilitating communication among education stakeholders in an atmosphere of transparency, flexibility and responsiveness to local context.

  4. REC Portal In 2009, REC began collaborating with volunteer Google engineers and usability researchers and designers to build a Google-technologies platform for an online learning community. Features of the portal (www.educationcommons.rw) include: • A Digital Library • Discussion boards • User profiles/social networking • Local news and events

  5. Infrastructure Challenges • Cost of electricity • Outdated labs • Inadequate maintenance of computers • Low-bandwidth access to quality educational content

  6. Infrastructure Solutions • Partner with various agencies to connect all 10 Teacher Training Colleges. Introduce “E-Rates”. • Ministry of Education (co-ordination) • Artel (bandwidth) • RURA (utilities subsidization) • TSC (negotiate with TTCs) • TTCs • Unicef (hardware) • VSO (training) • Develop and test a “light” website that works well in low-bandwidth environments.

  7. Access Challenges • Internet penetration is low (around 3-4%) and unreliable. • Connections are slow, users experience navigation delays. Solutions • “Light” website made in partnership with Google researchers • Including specially designed windows for efficient access to materials • Multiple modes of offline distribution

  8. Relevant Resources Challenges • Lack of quality educational materials to access at Teacher Training Colleges and Colleges of Education. Solutions • Work with Rwandan teachers to produce educational materials for online access and hard copy. • Establish partnerships with local and international NGOs to acquire materials for use or adaptation.

  9. Google, REC and GLP Staff Reunion New York City, October 2010

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