learning design blueprints como courses for 8 target groups

COMO Learning Design Blueprints – Paskevicius & Zeininger, 2011 /35

Learning Design Blueprints

Michael Paskevicius & Christian Zeininger

November 2011

Introduction

A new brand, and “Made in Mozambique”

COMO feeds into an important national market niche as there is no single brand provider for training

and education on mobile internet and web applications in Mozambique. Computer training

businesses still provide today basically hard and software courses, like MS Windows-based ICDL-type

courses that address internet and online applications only marginally (2 out of 8 modules), often

hampered by poor internet connectivity in their training facilities and of little practical use.

Located in Beira, con.moz’s primary focus is on course development based on new technologies and

internet based applications, like mobile internet access (3G), cloud services and social networking

platforms. The research centre takes advantage of open platforms, open educational resources and

the collaborative web, while adopting an approach of local research involving students and

academics to assure high relevancy in real-life contexts.

A second key issue is to make internet and web application based courses available to the majority of

people becoming exposed on a daily basis to new technologies. Access at nationwide scale will be

provided by local “classical” computer education businesses, whereas the COMO brand stands for

quality, relevance and a sustainable business support model.

Franchising: Innovation and quality for outreach and business development

The franchising business model links education with business, combining a maximum outreach with

the local presence and experience of private “classical” computer training businesses and public ICT

training centers all over Mozambique. The registered con.moz brand is advertised nationwide and

stands for quality & innovation, creating new business impulses, sustained income opportunities, and

increased competitiveness for franchising partners.

The following eight course structure blueprints serve as orientation for target group tailored course

design, to be used by local computer training businesses offering innovative courses by transferring

web-based knowledge in standardised form and quality. In this respect, COMO courses are designed

with the intention that people from a wide range of communities and social backgrounds will benefit

in their real-life context from learning about internet based applications.

Blueprints for eight target group tailored course offerings

INDIVIDUALS BUSINESSES EDUCATION

SERIES (web tools)

Beginners

PROJECTS

Beginners

Entrepreneurs Educators

SERIES (web tools)

Advanced Level

PROJECTS

Advanced Level

Employees/Staff Students


To support a flexible, but tailored approach, COMO courses are structured in two types. Course

durations are either 4-6 hours for short courses, and 10-20 hours for more comprehensive courses.

Course curriculum is packaged into two hours chunks which can be delivered as the franchising

partner deems appropriate for the local market.

Each course is designed for an intended market segment; individuals, professionals and the

education sector. It is intended that course instructors approach each segment uniquely (supported

by the respective course manual), knowing specifically their role in the learning process. Working

with individuals may require a more leading role, while working with eductors and professionals may

involve a more supportive role.

Blueprint # Name Duration Type

01 Technical course for beginner aimed at individuals 10-20 hours Series

02 Technical course for advanced aimed at individuals 4-6 hours Series

03 Problem based course for beginner aimed at individuals 4-6 hours Project

04 Problem based course for advanced aimed at individuals 10-20 hours Project

05 Business course aimed at entrepreneurs 10-20 hours Series

06 Business course aimed at staff 4-6 hours Series

07 Educational ICT courses for students 10-20 hours Series

08 Educational ICT courses for educators 10-20 hours Series

The following blueprints provide an overview of the structure for the eight initial course offerings.

The blueprints provide the course designer with the course strategy and audience and will be used to

form the curriculum. Each blueprint contains a section on:

• An introduction to the course

• A discussion of why these courses are needed?

• Target audience

• Tutor’s role

• Prerequisite knowledge

• The COMO theoretical base for each course

• A discussion of the COMO theory of learning

• Goal of courses / course objectives

• Visual flowchart of activity

• Assessment strategy

• Suggested resources


Blueprint #01

Technical courses for beginners aimed at individuals

Course duration: 5 day courses (2 hours per day)

Introduction

To benefit from the advances in technology, it is not enough to assume that creating enabling

conditions will automatically change actions. In addition, the issue is not about “computer literacy”

itself – though courses provided by almost all computer education businesses throughout the

country focus primarily on technology based definitions, concepts, and skills. It is crucially, how this

learning fits into the wider social contexts of people’s everyday lives.

Therefore, internet and web applications education and training has to be relevant for the specific

social contexts and particular needs. What matters is what helps one in a particular situation. Special

attention is given to practically resolve a problem and benefit from its gains, linking existing internet-

based services and web applications with the user’s situated context and needs. This in mind, the

learning experience should be dynamic and multi-faceted: resolving a problem, while working with a

variety of latest devices, systems and applications that fit best to achieve a goal. Users focus on their

selected topic (short-term courses), using various devices (Desktop PC, Laptop PC, Netbook, Pad,

Smartphone, etc.), internet browsers, search engines, as well as operating systems (iOS, Windows

Phone 7, Android, etc.) only as a means to achieve their goal. This is supported through tutoring by

an experienced person, focus on a specific topic, and learning in small groups.

In the Mozambican context, through there is wide coverage of internet, many do not use and benefit

from it as in other countries. So the issue is not an issue of access, but an issue of social practices

and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This course aims to educate course

participants on how to use ICT´s without previous experience and how to approach using new

technologies to address specific needs in their real lives. This series of courses will explore how

individuals can use Facebook, access information and take advantage of Google services.

Why are these courses needed?

This course group intends to equip individuals with ICT knowledge already at their fingertips.

Increasing bandwidth both mobile and fixed in addition to the range of new devices available exceed

the capacity for the majority of society to use and benefit from ICT. Traditional IT training courses

focus on computer skills training. COMO courses offer training and practice working with newly

available cloud services, application and social networks.

Using Facebook

Accessing information Google Services

Introduction and setting up Different types of search Gmail

Setting up profile Finding specific information Google search

Finding your friend Using Wikipedia Google maps

Pages and groups Searching for images and video Google documents

Security and privacy


Target audience

Course participants should be familiar with the use of a cell phone, but may not yet have had

personal experience using mobile internet and web applications. They are interested and motivated

to use ICT’s to expand the range of options available and to come to better decisions for their

personal benefit.

Tutor role

Tutor takes a leading role and provides guided instruction to participants.

Prerequisite knowledge

Course participants must be at minimum literate in basic Portuguese.

Localised theoretical base

All COMO courses take into account the social, technical, financial and legal aspects of using new

technologies. We briefly discuss how each of these is addressed in the text below.

Social: Participants are introduced to new technologies to expand and enhance their social practices.

A common theme in this course is the use of new technologies in innovative ways; to connect to new

people, access and asses quality information on demand, and take advantage of web services offered

by Google. Participants recognise their opportunity to play a more active role in society and more

specifically the local context by embracing new technologies.

Technical: Participants are exposed to and guided through using new technologies in order to reduce

perceived technical barriers. The focus will be on exposing course participant to a range of

applications for accessing information and applying this information in social context. Participants

learn about accessing and using information and web services and not using specific technical

devices, thereby developing their technical literacy.


Financial: Participants will explore the cost/benefit implications of using these new technologies.

Courses will create awareness of the different data package offerings in Mozambique as well the

costs of doing specific activities using ICT. For instance, participants will be exposed to the costs of

doing specific online activities, such as adding a photo to their Facebook account or downloading a

document. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge required to handle different data types

and their file sizes for specific purposes.

Legal: Participants are made aware of online copyright, privacy and the legal implications of

transacting online. For this specific beginners group the various courses focus only on awareness of

these issues.

Socio-cultural theory of learning

Effective teaching requires that scientific concepts be linked back to a student’s everyday empirical

knowledge in creative ways. The idea being is that the introduction of a scientific concept results in

cognitive change which enables the student to better understand and make sense of the world

around them. Therefore, in order for a scientific concept to be useful to a student, it should have

some relevance in their everyday life.

Activity settings are those actions and discussions which a teacher/instructor coordinates or

facilitates in order to lead to a group of students learning. COMO courses use joint productive

activity in which all members of a learning activity engage in conversation, for it is through dialogue

and interaction that learning can occur. By engaging in an “instructional conversation”, the

teacher/instructor gives the learner an opportunity to express what they know and provide

responsive adjustments in the form of assisted performance. The design and application of activity

settings which employ the instructional conversation aim to narrow the power distance between

learner and teacher/instructor as the course participant is given a voice and opportunity to express

themselves freely. The participant’s active voice is a requirement for the instructional conversation

to exist.

Goal of courses / course objectives

The following course group objectives are derived from the social, technical, financial and legal

framework unique for each COMO course. Course objectives shall be further localized for each

theme in this category in the individual curriculum documents.

The participants have:

• Created and personalized their online identity and understand the implications of

maintaining such an identify;

• Learned to access, asses, combine and make use of online information and realize the value

of contextually relevant information;

• Explored a selection of Google services and have a sense of how they may apply the tools in

their real life;

• Improved their technical literacy and experienced a range of applications;

• Understood the cost/benefit implications of using new technologies for resolving their issues;

• Been exposed to the legal implications of maintaining an online social presence and accessing

information online.


Flowchart of activity

The following flowchart was designed using Compendium Learning Design toolkit developed at the

Open University in the UK. The learning design toolkit is used to in order to make use of existing

learning design specifications and visually define the flow of this course module.

Assessment strategy

Although the focus of this course group is on solving real world problems assessments may be

conducted using self assessment during the course and through engagement with the con.moz

website.

Suggested resources

All resources used in COMO courses are available as open educational resources (OER) shared under

open licenses such as Creative Commons (CC).

Du Toit, M., Malczyk, A. & Van Belle, JP. (2011) The Internet Super-User Textbook. GetSmarter

Publishing, January 2011. Available online under a Creative Commons BY-NC license.


Blueprint #02

Technical courses for advanced aimed at individuals Course duration: 2 day courses (4-6 hours)

Introduction


















and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This series of courses will cover how

individuals can explore some of Facebook’s more advanced features, aspects of personal branding

and how to approach selecting the right 3G device.


This course group intends to equip individuals who already have some ICT experienced with more

advanced knowledge. Increasing bandwidth both mobile and fixed in addition to the range of new

devices available exceed the capacity for the majority of society to use and benefit from ICT.

Traditional IT training courses focus on computer skills training. COMO courses offer training and

practice working with newly available cloud services, application and social networks. This course

provides a theoretical base with which participants can further their existing use.

Facebook advanced

Personal branding Selecting the right 3G device

Enhancing your profile Introduction to the social web

(Facebook, Linkedin, Google+)

History of computing

Joining groups Understanding personal

websites

Smartphones

Creating or joining events Connecting your web presence Pads

Facebook messaging system Social communications Mobile PC’s


Target audience

Course participants should be quite familiar with the use of a cell phone and have personal

experience using mobile internet and web applications. They are interested and motivated to use

ICT’s to expand the range of options available and to develop a more sophisticated use of

technology.

Tutor role



Course participants must be at minimum literate in basic Portuguese. It would be advantageous for

students to have previously taken some kind of computer course and have used the internet

previously. Participants who have previously taken the COMO beginners technical course will be

readily equipped for this course.



technologies. We briefly discuss how each of these are addressed in the text below.

Social: Participants are introduced to new technologies to expand and enhance their social practices.

Participants will be given the knowledge to be visible and active producers of content using new

media. The advanced course assists participants in creating and managing their digital identity online

which is self promoting and contributes to the knowledge economy.

Technical: Participants are equipped with the knowledge to asses the theoretical connections

between various technologies. Thereby they can make more explicit decisions around which

technologies they chose to use and how they use them. They are introduced to the fast growing

market of web applications and are in a position to select and harness useful applications in their

context.



The course will create awareness of the different data package offerings in Mozambique as well the

costs of doing specific activities using ICT. As the course participants are expected to be internet

super-users, a discussion of selecting a proper data package will accompany each course.


transacting online. Participants will also be introduced to alternative copyright mechanisms such as

Creative Commons (CC), Open Source Software (OSS) and Open Access (OA) research.



knowledge in creative ways. The idea being that the introduction of a scientific concept results in


around them. Therefore, in order for a scientific concept to be useful to a student it should have


Activity settings are those actions and discussions which a teacher coordinates or facilitates in order

to lead to a group of students learning. COMO courses use joint productive activity in which all

members of a learning activity engage in conversation, for it is through dialogue and interaction that

learning can occur. By engaging in an “instructional conversation”, the teacher gives the learner an

opportunity to express what they know and provide responsive adjustments in the form of assisted

performance. The design and application of activity settings which employ the instructional

conversation aim to narrow the power distance between student and teacher as the student is given

a voice and opportunity to express themselves freely. The student’s active voice is a requirement for

the instructional conversation to exist.






• Understood the potential value of Facebook and social networks and have control over their

online social presence;

• Understood personal branding as a means for self promotion to increase social capital and

visibility;

• Explored various mobile technologies and applications, understand the similarities and

differences between them, and are in a more informed position to personally use and benefit

from them;

• Understood the advanced cost/benefit implications of using new technologies for resolving

their issues;

• Been exposed to the legal implications of maintaining an online social presence, accessing

information online and alternative copyright models.






Assessment strategy



website.

Suggested resources






Blueprint #03

Problem based courses for beginners aimed at individuals

Course duration: 1 – 2 day courses (4-6 hours)

Introduction


















and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This course aims to educate course

participants on using ICT´s without previous experience. Participants are exposed to techniques for

approaching new technologies to address specific issues and needs in their lives. This course group

will explore how ICT can be used in practical social situations, such as taking a trip, looking for study

options, organizing an event using social media or creating their own blog.


At a beginners level this course group aims to enable participants to reflect on how they might make

use of ICT to solve practical real life issues. In contrast to COMO’s other course offering, the problem

based approach starts with real issues, for example travelling to a new city, or exploring options for

higher education. The problem based approach attempts to broaden participants’ horizon and

expand the possibilities available to them. Best practice is shared through case studies and examples

on how ICT may be applied to these practical everyday problems.

Target audience

Course participants should be familiar with the use of a cell phone, but may not yet have had

personal experience using mobile internet and web applications. They are interested and motivated

to use ICT’s to expand the range of options available and to come to better decisions for their

personal benefit.

Tutor role


Tutor must prepare and foster activity settings based on real world problems which engage and

excite participants. The tutor must be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the problem to be

discussed in the course. The tutor applies takes on the role of presenter or story teller, engaging the

participants as the problem is discussed.


Course participants must be at minimum literate in basic Portuguese.




Social: This course explores new ways of solving existing problems using ICT’s. Participants are

trained on how to access information on demand to increase their knowledge base hopefully leading

to more informed social practices (innovation and change for social inclusion)

Technical: Participants are exposed to new technologies in order to reduce perceived barriers of a

digital world. The focus will be on exposing course participant to a range of devices for accessing

information and applying this information in social context. Participants learn about accessing

information and not using specific technical devices, thereby increasing their technical literacy.

Financial: Participants will explore the cost/benefit implications of using new technologies. The

courses will create awareness of the different data package offering in Mozambique as well the cost

of doing specific activities using ICT. The knowledge and application of new technologies will help

reduce traditional transaction costs; for instance, physically gathering information from economic

centres as opposed to using ICT’s to access e-resources and e-services.


transacting online. For this specific beginners group the various courses focus only on awareness of

these issues.






















• Explored some practical examples of approaching everyday problems using ICT’s;

• Improved their technical literacy and are experienced and aware of the range of devices;

• Understood the cost benefit implications of using new technologies for resolving their issues;

• Reflected on making appropriate decisions and understand their engagement with society for

sustained benefits;

• Been made aware of the legal implications of transacting and staying safe online.






Assessment strategy


conducted using self and peer assessment during the course and through engagement with the

conmoz website.


Blueprint #04

Problem based courses for advanced aimed at individuals Course duration: 5 day courses (2 hours per day)

Introduction


















and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This course group aims to educate course

participants on how to use and apply ICT´s to address specific needs in their real lives. Whereas the

beginners course provides a first contact and overview of these issues, the advanced course provides

more sophisticated hands on techniques in approaching practical social situations, such as taking a

trip, looking for study options, market research, organizing an event using social media or creating

their own blog.


At an advanced level this course group aims to support participants as they practice using ICT to

solve real life issues. In contrast to COMO’s other course offering, the problem based approach

starts with real issues, for example travelling to a new city, or exploring options for higher education.

The problem based approach attempts to broaden participants’ horizon and expand the possibilities

available to them. Participants leave with the capability of thinking and applying ICT in innovative

ways on a day to day basis and the technical ability to begin applying ICT in their daily lives.

Target audience

Course participants should be familiar with computers and mobile devices. They should be

interested and motivated to use ICT’s to expand the range of options available and to come to better

more informed decisions for their personal benefit.

Tutor role


Tutor must prepare and foster activity settings based on real world problems which engage and

excite participants. The tutor must be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the problem to be

discussed in the course. The tutor guides the course of activity and acts as moderator.


Participants who have taken a beginners course in computing would be at an advantage.




Social: Participants expand their knowledge and explore creative ways of applying ICT’s to solve

problems in their everyday lives. These courses give participants an opportunity to practice in depth

the application of ICT’s in relation to real world problems.

Technical: Participants are exposed to new ways of employing technologies and become familiar

with trends in ICT. A focus on the processes involved with using technologies is made explicit and

participants gain an advanced level of technical literacy on a range of devices.

Financial: Participants will explore the cost benefit implications of using new technologies. The

courses will create awareness of the different data package offerings in Mozambique as well the

costs of doing specific activities using ICT. The knowledge and application of new technologies will

help reduce traditional transaction costs; for instance, physically gathering information from

economic centres as opposed to using ICT’s to access e-resources and e-services.



Creative Commons, Open Source Software and Open Access research.






















• Explored and practiced in depth some applications of using ICT in addressing their issues;

• Developed a culture of digital literacy and can apply ICT’s in innovative ways;

• Accessed and assessed market research and are able to use it to their advantage in their

context;

• Become capable of sharing and promoting their personal issues, culture and ideas using new

technologies to a wider audience;

• Understood the cost benefit implications of using new technologies for resolving their issues;


information online and explored alternative copyright models.






Assessment strategy


conducted using self and peer assessment during the course and through engagement with the

conmoz website.


Blueprint #05

Business courses aimed at entrepreneurs

Course duration: 5 day courses (2 hours per day)

Introduction


















and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This series of courses will introduce

professionals to using smart phones for business, managing their individual web presence and e-

marketing.


Entrepreneur and management staff can benefit tremendously from the effective use of ICT. Be it on

the road, in the office, at a meeting, or overseas; technologies exist with which to help us stay

connected, informed and in control of our business. This course group gives participants tools to

take up their stake in industry, as well as increase productivity and competitiveness.

Using smart phones in your

business Managing your web presence Introduction to e-Marketing

Using your personal organiser Introduction to Facebook Introduction to e-Marketing

Mobile business communication Introduction to LinkedIn Online advertising

Mobile information access Understanding websites Web analytics

Web apps for business Connecting your web presence Mobile marketing


Target audience

Course participants should be formal or informal entrepreneurs or managers in small cooperative,

public and private enterprises. Participants should be familiar with new technologies and be

interested and motivated to use ICT’s to expand the range of options available and to come to better

decisions for their personal and organisational benefit. Participants should have experience using

mobile phones in their business.

Tutor role

The tutor is aware and respects the entrepreneurial experiences of participants. The tutor provides

the technical expertise which may be applied to the participants’ contextually sensitive issues.

Throughout the course the tutor actively maintains individuals’ progress to ensure each participant is

getting the technical support needed.


There are no formal perquisites, however participants should have entrepreneurial or leadership

experience.




Social: Managers and entrepreneurs can now reach a much wider audience using the social web.

This course group explores how to maintain a digital presence for individuals and businesses. These

tools put participants in a position to enhance internal communication, transparency, and knowledge

management in their professional lives.

Technical: Participants are exposed to new business technologies in order to increase opportunities

operating within a digitalized and globalised world. Participants are exposed to the skills and

knowledge required for using new technologies and their applications in a more globalised


environment, all the while keeping in mind the local Mozambican context. These technologies can

be applied on both a personal and organisational level.

Financial: The specific focus of this course will be on productivity and competitiveness through the

range of technological solutions.

Legal: Participants are made aware of the legal and intellectual implications of transacting and

presenting themselves online. Additionally they are presented with the range of e-resources now

available for use by entrepreneurs and organizations to enhance their success.





















• Realized the potential of new technologies as a gateway to the information economy and

how this may be used in their business context;

• Improved their online communication skills and understood how to effectively communicate

using new technologies;

• Explored best practices in e-marketing and online customer engagement;

• Improved their technical literacy and are aware of the range of devices available for business

communication;

• Reflected on the financial implications in using new technologies for productivity and

competitiveness;

• Become aware of online intellectual property rights, privacy as well as the opportunities

afforded by the open internet in sharing information and knowledge.






Assessment strategy

This course is intended to inspire continual learning in line with rapid technological developments for

leadership and competiveness of individuals.

Suggested resources

All resources used in COMO courses are available as open educational resources shared under open

licenses such as Creative Commons.




Stokes, R. (2008) eMarketing: The essential guide to online marketing. Quirk eMarketing. Available

online under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license.

Trengove Jones, A., Malczyk, A. & Beneke, J. (2011) Internet Marketing. GetSmarter Publishing.

Available online under a Creative Commons BY-NC license.

















Blueprint #06

Business courses aimed at staff

Course duration: 2 day courses (4-6 hours)

Introduction


















and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This series of courses will explore

methods in effective communication, cloud computing and an introduction to e-marketing.


Staff at all levels can benefit tremendously from the effective use of ICT. With increased regional

integration service delivery and customer relations management becomes crucial for successful

businesses. This course group gives participants the tools with which to effectively use ICT in

industry. With organizations expanding and relocating domestically, corporate communications

becomes central to competitiveness. The focus of this series of courses is on communication,

collaboration and customer relations management.

Effective communication

Cloud computing

Introduction to e-Marketing

Introduction to social media Introduction to Google Docs Introduction to e-Marketing

Email Cloud storage Online advertising

Social analytics Real time collaboration Web analytics

Best practices for online

communication

Mobile marketing

Efficiency in customer service


Target audience

Course participants are residentially employed in small and medium sized public and private

enterprises or may be travelling salespeople and service staff. Participants should be familiar with

new technologies and be interested and motivated to use ICT’s to expand the range of options

available and to come to better decisions for organisational benefit. Participants should have

experience using computers and/or mobile phones in their business.

Tutor role

Tutor must be informed of the participants’ organizational background and business focus and

provides technical expertise.


Participants should have completed grade 10 and be employed in industry.




Social: This course group will equip people working in the service industry with the latest technical

skill and the associated knowledge required to put ICT to use in their professional context. Through

the applied use of these technologies it is intended that staff become better motivated to be

effective communicators in their workplace setting. Both internal and external relations

management are covered and explored, the latter seeks to address travelling sales and service staff.

Participants gain competitive advantage as individuals with innovative techniques to improve

communication, work collaboratively, and use innovative sales and marketing strategies.

Technical: Participants are exposed to new business technologies in order to increase opportunities

operating within a digitalized and globalised world. Participants are informed of the skills and

knowledge regarding new technologies, all the while keeping in mind the company’s success within


the local Mozambican context. These technologies can be applied on both a personalised and

organisational level.

Financial: The specific focus of this course will be on cost effectiveness through the efficient use of

new technologies.

Legal: Participants are made aware of the legal and intellectual implications of transacting and

presenting themselves online. Additionally they are presented with the range of e-resources now

available for use by organizations to enhance their success.





















• Improved their online communication skills and understand how new technology relates to

effective communication;

• Realized the potential of cloud computing and working with real-time collaborative

documents and have reflected on how this may be used in their business context;

• Understood best practice in the use of e-marketing for online and mobile customer

engagement;

• Improved their technical literacy and are aware of the range of devices available for business

communication;

• Reflected on the implications in using new technologies for effectiveness and efficiency;

• Become aware of online intellectual property rights, privacy as well as the opportunities

afforded by the open internet in sharing information and knowledge.






Assessment strategy

This course group is intended to inspire continual learning in line with rapid technological

developments for leadership and competitiveness of individuals.

Suggested resources





Stokes, R. (2008) eMarketing: The essential guide to online marketing. Quirk eMarketing. Available

online under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license.

Trengove Jones, A., Malczyk, A. & Beneke, J. (2011) Internet Marketing. GetSmarter Publishing.

Available online under a Creative Commons BY-NC license.


Blueprint #07

Educational ICT courses for students Course duration: 5 day courses (2 hours per day)

Introduction


















and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This series of courses will explore how

individuals can conduct online research, use online cloud storage for media and use Facebook in

education.


Taking the current demographic trends into consideration, the academic success of young people in

secondary and higher education represents a key issue for socioeconomic development. Courses

enable participants to access global knowledge as well as make their own contribution to knowledge.

Participants gain new experiences and competencies, helping them on their path to become a

professional. The COMO courses seek to compliment the theory oriented knowledge taught in

general education.

Conduct online research Cloud storage Facebook in education

Finding scholarly material

online

Introduction to the cloud Introduction to Facebook in

education

Google Scholar Google Docs/Office 365 Academic groups

Wikipedia Sharing pictures online Connecting globally –

international study groups

Assessing quality of online

resources

Interacting in the cloud

Bookmarking and saving your

research online


Target audience

Course participants should be enrolled in secondary or higher education and have experience

working with computers or mobile devices on a regular basis.

Tutor role



It would be advantageous for students to have previously taken some kind of computer course and

have used the internet. It is not necessary to be an IT student, as this course group is relevant for all

academic disciplines.




Social: This course group focuses on using ICT for academic activities to achieve better results.

Participants are equipped with techniques for improving their knowledge base and research skills.

Participants will become more confident in their ability to find scholarly information and are

prepared to apply it in their context.

Technical: Participants are exposed to best practices in conducting research in an ICT enabled world.

They are equipped with the knowledge to asses the theoretical connections between various

technologies and sources of information.


The knowledge and application of new technologies will help reduce traditional transaction costs in

conducting research. Participants will explore techniques for making use of cloud computing without

actually owning a personal computer.

























• Explored new techniques for conducting research, assessing the quality of online content and

bookmarking resources for access at any time;

• Explored various cloud computing services, understand the similarities and difference

between them, and are in a more informed position for personal use and benefit;

• Reflected on ways of using Facebook academically and to improve their educational

experiences;

• Developed a technology identify in terms of their beliefs of their own skills and have

motivation to learn more about technology;

• Applied and realised the importance of new technologies in their academic success;

• Understood the advanced cost benefit implications of using new technologies for resolving

their issues;








Assessment strategy



website.

Suggested resources



Du Toit, M., Malczyk, A. & Van Belle, JP. (2011) The Internet Super-User Textbook.GetSmarter



Blueprint #08

Educational ICT courses for educators Course duration: 5 day courses (2 hours per day)

Introduction
















In the Mozambican context, through there is a wide coverage of internet, many do not use and

benefit from it as in other countries. So the issue is not an issue of access, but an issue of social

practices and the knowledge required to harness new technologies. This series of courses will

explore how educators can make use of open educational resources (OER), use Google Docs and

explore ways to innovatively use Facebook in education.


Educators play an incredibly important role in society, and thus must lead by example in the

exemplary use of ICT’s. This course group explores leading trends in ICT enabled education and

exposes educators to best practices with a contextually sensitive approach. Educators are able to

communicate with one another as well as the global community of educators wanting to help one

another. Specifically within Mozambique this course seeks to enable educators to use ICT to reach

out and connect at a national level for continued capacity building.

Open Educational Resources Google Docs Facebook in education

Introduction open educational

resources

Introduction to documents in

the cloud

Introduction to Facebook in

education

Using OER in your class Google Docs/Office 365 Academic groups

Improving the relevance of

your lessons

Docs, spreadsheets and

presentations

Connecting globally –

international study groups

Saving time with OER Collaborative documents

Contributing to OER


Target audience

This course is aimed at educators employed in secondary or higher education. However it could also

be useful for educators and trainers in general for their own efficiency and effectiveness. Educators

from all academic disciplines are welcome.

Tutor role

The tutor must provide space for educators to reflect on how ICT’S can be used in their practice and

provide technical expertise where required.


It would be advantageous for participants to have previously taken some kind of computer course

and used the internet.




Social: This course group focuses on using ICT’s for academic activities to provide better educational

experiences. Educators in society are considered thought leaders and experts and thus should be

skilled in the latest ICT applications. Participants are equipped with techniques for improving their

knowledge base and research skills. Participants will become more confident in their ability to find

teaching materials and scholarly information and are prepared to apply it in educational context.

Participants are also presented with novel techniques for engaging students using popular social

networks.

Technical: Participants are exposed to best practices in using ICT in education. They are equipped

with the knowledge to asses the theoretical connections between various technologies and sources

of information. The focus will be on exposing participants to the range of available technology and

are prepared to be flexible in applying this in their local context.



The knowledge and application of new technologies will help reduce traditional transaction costs in

conducting research.




















The following course objectives are derived from the social, technical, financial and legal framework

unique for each COMO course. Course objectives shall be further localized for each theme in this

category in the individual curriculum documents.


• Accessed the range of OER available and understand how they might be applied in their own

teaching context;

• Explored various cloud computing services, understand the similarities and difference

between them, and are in a more informed position for personal use and benefit;

• Reflected on ways of using Facebook academically to engage and improve educational

experiences for their students;

• Applied and realised the importance of new technologies in their academic and scientific

careers;

• Understood the advanced cost/benefit implications of using new technologies for resolving

their issues;








Assessment strategy

Although the focus of this course group is on solving real life situations in classroom environment,

assessments may be conducted using self assessment during the course and through engagement

with the con.moz website.

Suggested resources





Iiyoshi, T & Kumar, MSV (Eds) (2008) Opening Up Education: The collective advancement of

Education through Open Technology, Open Content, and Open Knowledge. Cambridge,

Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Available online under a Creative Commons BY-SA license.