Learning Communities Enabled by Mobile Technology: a Case Study of School-Based, In-Service Secondary Teacher Training in Rural Bangladesh
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ADB TA No. 6278-REG Contract No: COCS/60-026 RTI Project No 0210103 Innovative Information and Communication Technology in Education and Its Potential for Reducing Poverty in the Asia and Pacific Region Learning Communities Enabled by Mobile Technology: A Case Study of School-Based, In-Service Secondary Teacher Training in Rural Bangladesh December 2007 Appendix 11 of Final Report Sarah Lucas Pouezevara Rubina Khan Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report Project Number: TA No. 6278-REG December 2007 Appendix 11 of Final Report Bangladesh: Innovative Information and Communication Technology in Education and Its Potential for Reducing Poverty in the Asia and Pacific Region: “Learning Communities Enabled by Mobile Technology: A Case Study of School- Based, In-Service Secondary Teacher Training in Rural Bangladesh” (Financed by the Poverty Reduction Cooperation Fund, Asian Development Bank) Prepared by Sarah Lucas Pouezevara Rubina Khan RTI International 3040 Cornwallis Road Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA For Asian Development Bank ATTN: Jouko Sarvi Principal Education Specialist Capacity Development and Governance Division Regional and Sustainable Development Department 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines This consultant’s report does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB or the Governments concerned, and ADB and the Governments cannot be held liable for its contents. RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. iii CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................1 A. Background of the Study............................................................................................1 B. Study Process and Findings ......................................................................................2 C. Study Recommendations ...........................................................................................3 II. COUNTRY CONTEXT ......................................................................................................6 A. Overview ....................................................................................................................6 B. ICT in Bangladesh......................................................................................................7 III. EDUCATION SYSTEM CONTEXT ...................................................................................9 A. Overview ....................................................................................................................9 B. Teacher Training ......................................................................................................11 C. ICT in Education.......................................................................................................11 D. Distance Education in Bangladesh ..........................................................................13 IV. THE TEACHING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN SECONDARY EDUCATION PROJECT .................................................................................................13 A. Overview ..................................................................................................................13 B. The Continuous Professional Development Program ..............................................15 V. STUDY ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................................16 A. Site Assessment and Study Development ...............................................................16 B. Procurement, Curriculum Development, and Participant Orientation ......................17 C. Implementation and Monitoring................................................................................19 D. Closing Activities ......................................................................................................20 VI. STUDY METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................21 A. Overview ..................................................................................................................21 B. Subjects and Sample Size .......................................................................................22 C. Evaluation Instruments.............................................................................................24 D. Limitations................................................................................................................26 VII. STUDY FINDINGS..........................................................................................................27 A. Training Design and Materials .................................................................................27 B. Training Effectiveness..............................................................................................30 C. Technology...............................................................................................................31 D. Attitudes Toward Technology-Assisted Distance Training Versus Face-to-Face Training..............................................................................................33 E. Actual Outcomes Compared to Anticipated Risks ...................................................36 VIII. CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................37 A. Individual-Level Effects ............................................................................................37 B. School-Level Effects ................................................................................................37 C. The Technology .......................................................................................................38 IX. STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................40 A. Need for Further Research ......................................................................................40 B. Improving the Training Program Design and Delivery .............................................41 iv C. Choosing the Right Technology ...............................................................................42 D. Synthesis and Conclusions ......................................................................................42 X. REFERENCES................................................................................................................45 XI. AUTHORS.......................................................................................................................47 APPENDIX 1: MAP OF BANGLADESH, INDICATING STUDY AREA.......................................48 APPENDIX 2: SAMPLE UNIT FROM THE STUDY DISTANCE-LEARNING CURRICULUM ................................................................................................................49 APPENDIX 3: SIX-WEEK DISTANCE TRAINING SCHEDULE .................................................56 APPENDIX 4: LITERATURE REVIEW ON OTHER EXPERIENCES IN MOBILE LEARNING......................................................................................................................58 List of Exhibits Exhibit 1. Bangladesh: Key Facts ................................................................................................ 7 Exhibit 2. Access to Electricity, Telephone, and Mobile Phones by Residence........................... 8 Exhibit 3. Primary School Net Enrollment Rate ......................................................................... 10 Exhibit 4. Summary of External Support to the Secondary Education Subsector...................... 12 Exhibit 5. The Evaluation Framework ........................................................................................ 22 Exhibit 6. Summary of Evaluation Methods and Sample Sizes ................................................. 24 Exhibit 7. Post-Training Satisfaction Questionnaire (Responses from Trainees) ...................... 28 Exhibit 8. Excerpts from a Sample Training Journal .................................................................. 29 Exhibit 9. Post-Training Evaluation Questionnaire Responses from Trainees........................... 30 Exhibit 10. Summary of the Difference in Average Scores Between Trainee Pre- and Post-Test Scores.......................................................................................... 31 Exhibit 11A. Familiarity with the Phone Features Before the Training Program (Trainees) ............................................................................................................ 32 Exhibit 11B. Familiarity with the Phone Features After the Training Program (Trainees) ............................................................................................................ 33 Exhibit 12. Summary of the Advantages of Distance-Mode Training......................................... 34 Exhibit 13. Quotes from Head Teachers at the End of the Training .......................................... 34 v Abbreviations ADB Asian Development Bank AVEC Audio-Visual Education Centre BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics bEARN Bangladesh Education and Resource Network B.Ed. Bachelor of Education BOU Bangladesh Open University CAMPE Campaign for Popular Education CD compact disc CPD continuous professional development; the Continuous Professional Development Program (within TQI-SEP) DEO District Education Officer DMC developing member country EFA Education for All EMIS education management information system GPRS general