To advocate the engaged learning across the Asia-Pacific region, UN-APCICT launches two new publications – 1) Engaged Learning Toolkit for Faculty: Using ICTs for Community Development and 2) Engaged Learning Guidebook for Students: Using ICTs for Community Development.
Engaged Learning is a pedagogical strategy that links classroom learning with community development practices within a credit-based university curriculum. For students who are learning about the field of information and communication technology for development (ICTD), engaged learning can be an effective approach to provide them with practical experiences in helping local communities through ICT-based innovation.
UN-APCICT prepared the Engaged Learning Toolkit and Guidebook, in collaboration with Cornell University, with the objectives of strengthening provision of ICTD education via the engaged learning approach among institutions of higher education in Asia and the Pacific region. To ensure the effectiveness at the actual educational field, these publications have pilot-tested with three partner universities, including Thailand’s Mahasarakham University (ICT for sustainable local tourism), the University of the Philippines Los Baños (Educational video production for rural vegetable farmers), and Nepal’s Kathmandu University (SMS information system for migrant workers).
Engaged Learning initiative is a part of APCICT’s “Turning Today’s Youth into Tomorrow’s Leaders” Programme. Launched in 2012, the programme intends to create a cadre of future leaders equipped with knowledge and skills needed for utilizing ICT innovation for sustainable development. Under this programme, APCICT provides “Primer Series on ICTD for Youth”, a comprehensive ICTD curriculum that serves as practical and valuable learning resources for colleges and universities in Asia and the Pacific.
These publications can be accessed at: http://unapcict.org/pr
