What is UNESCO’s 10-plan strategy for distance learning solutions?

The onset of the pandemic brought many changes in the mode of education for schools and colleges. This led many international organisations, private sectors, and government agencies to ensure the continuity of education remotely. However, the design and delivery of distance learning should also reach everyone irrespective of social inequalities.

UNESCO published in April 2020, a comprehensive 10-plan guideline and strategy for effective distance learning. Some of the important guidelines in this 10-plan strategy are the following:

Ensuring Digital Preparedness and Choosing the Most Relevant Tools

The educational institutes should zero in on the right technology, whether high-end or acreage depending on the local internet connectivity, power supply, and digital skills of teachers and students. This would include integrated video lessons, digital learning platforms, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for broadcasting through radios and TVs.

Inclusiveness in Distance Learning Programmes

Distance learning programmes should ensure the inclusion and access of students with disabilities, special needs, and the ones from marginalised sections. The devices can be temporarily decentralised from computer labs to families to ensure internet connectivity in case of limited devices.

Ensuring Data Security and Privacy

Data security should be assessed properly while uploading and sharing educational content on the learning apps, with students and other organisations. It should be ensured that the use of these applications and platforms does not violate students' data privacy.

Planned Study Schedule

Study schedules should be planned to keep in mind the interests, availability of parents, school closure, and total duration of schools. Furthermore, the situation of the affected zones in times of crisis, the level of studies, and the needs of students should also be considered.

Training the Educators and Parents in Using Digital Tools

Brief training sessions should be organised for teachers and parents to help them monitor their children when needed. Teachers should be trained for doing basic settings, using internet data, live streaming lessons, etc.

Blending Learning Approaches

The tools that are commonly available for the majority of students for both synchronous communication and lessons, and for asynchronous learning. Teachers should limit the usage of applications and platforms, and not burden parents and students with downloading many educational apps.

Developing and Defining Distance Learning Rules

The rules for distance learning courses should be developed and defined after discussing them with parents and students on distance learning. The method of assessment, evaluation, and certification should also be clearly defined.

Importance for Students

This 10-plan strategy by UNESCO is crucial for students as it ensures that they have access to quality education, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic background. It also helps in bridging the gap between students with disabilities and those without, promoting inclusivity and equality in education.