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Open educational resources (OERs) have the potential to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase access to educational opportunities. OER development and deployment is one path that could contribute to achieving education for all. The article, "Developing and Deploying OERs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Building on the Present" by Clayton Wright builds on existing information and communication technology (ICT) implementation plans in Africa and on the experiences of organizations and initiatives such as: * the African Virtual University (AVU), * OER Africa, the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), * Teacher Education in Sub Saharan Africa (TESSA) Project The author of the article present, a one view of the benefits, challenges, and steps to realize the potential of OERs in sub-Saharan Africa if they could be taken. * The article further focuses on the factors necessary for creating and sustaining a vision for OER development and deployment; * developing and distributing resources with an open license; * improving technology infrastructure and reducing the cost of Internet access; * establishing communities of educational collaborators; sustaining involvement in the OER initiative; * producing resources in interoperable and open formats; * establishing and maintaining the quality of OERs; providing local context to address national and regional needs and conditions; * informing the public about OERs; and taking the initiative to build on the knowledge, skills, and experiences of others. Wright, C. (Apr 2012). Developing and Deploying OERs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Building on the Present. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, (v13) n2. pp. 181-220. Retrieved from: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ983279.pdf

Working Across Africa The leading Pan-Africa eLearning Network

The face of higher education has changed because of online learning and the successful distance teaching of open universities globally.  The University of South Africa (UNISA) is one of the mega distance learning institutions in the world and the largest distance education provider on the African continent.  UNISA is infamous for research and innovation and its institutions are committed to provide leadership in innovation and excellence in open distance learning (ODL) research.  The UNISA open distance learning programs is a dedicated system and it entails a student-centered approach that gives students flexibility and choice over how they learn.  It also provides extensive student support systems and comprehensively offers both vocational and academic programs, many of which have received international accreditation.  Accordingly, the UNSIA website provides an explanation of the administration and governance policy and statements that focus on ways to deliver distance learning "supported open learning.  Technology strategy board tackles barriers and supports business-led innovation for its students and citizens.   In addition, the UNISA has an extensive geographical footprint giving their students recognition and employability in many countries in the world.  Organized into five colleges, discipline areas in which UNISA has high levels of research competency such as: Science, Engineering and Technology (excluding Medicine), Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Economics and Management Sciences, Human Sciences and Law.  The USNIA put into place structures fit for the purpose of research enablement integral and it is committed to the generation and liberation of resources for research.  The unique nature of this service derives from a strong commitment to basic, strategic and applied research, in keeping with the university's identity both as a comprehensive institution and as a leader in certain niche research areas. 

New Ways of Mediating Learning: Investigating the  implications of adopting open educational resources  for tertiary education at an institution in the United  Kingdom as compared to one in South Africa