{"id":150421,"date":"2019-09-20T06:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T11:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=150421"},"modified":"2019-09-20T06:54:20","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T11:54:20","slug":"online-learning-platforms-3-overlooked-crucial-considerations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2019\/09\/online-learning-platforms-3-overlooked-crucial-considerations\/","title":{"rendered":"Online learning platforms: 3 overlooked but crucial considerations"},"content":{"rendered":"

In our ICT and technology-driven world, digital learning platforms are becoming an increasing important medium, especially among school-aged children in the Caribbean. However, although such platforms tends to get all of the attention, some aspects of the ecosystem tend to be lacking, which can adversely affect their effectiveness.<\/em><\/p>\n

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In the roundup of IT\/tech news from last week<\/a>, there were two articles \u2013 one from Dominica, the other from Belize \u2013 on the roll out of digital learning platforms. In Dominica, regional \u00a0telecoms carrier, Digicel, launched an online Learning Hub<\/a>, which according to Digicel Dominica\u2019s Chief Executive Officer, Nikima Royer-Jno. Baptiste, would limit interruptions to students\u2019 education, particularly in times of disasters:<\/p>\n

This will allow our students to be able to continue their education regardless of any impact or disruption to their education,\u201d she said. \u201cIf school is closed for the day because of any threat to their safety, our students will have the opportunity to continue at home.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(Source:\u00a0 Dominica Vibes<\/a>)<\/p>\n

In Belize, and following a successful pilot project, there is now a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the local carrier, Digi, to create a digital learning platform. The platform, which now will be rolled out across the entire country, would be geared towards high school students, with purpose of enhancing teaching and learning across Belize (Source:\u00a0 The Guardian<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Following from the laptops and tablet computers in schools, and one laptop and one tablet computer per student initiatives, projects to now focus on developing digital learning platforms \u2013 thus placing greater emphasis on online learning \u2013 seem like a logical next step. Hence, it is likely that many other countries across the Caribbean either have rolled out similar platforms, are in the process of doing so.<\/p>\n

Without a doubt, digital learning platforms are welcomed, and are even essential in order to:<\/p>\n