The TEAL2.O project is implemented by a consortium of 11 universities – 3 in Sri Lanka, 3 in India, 2 in Thailand, 3 in Europe, joined by a consultancy company. 1 higher education network in Sri Lanka and 6 PC Universities support us as associated partners. Improving access to Science and Technology (S&T) higher education is top priority in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Increasing Gross Enrollment Ratios and reaching underrepresented and disadvantaged groups requires investing serious effort into Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Yet, ODL and increased access, especially in resource-poor institutions, pose many quality-related challenges resulting from shortages of expertise, technological equipment, collaboration and internationalization. We aim to contribute to addressing these challenges and facilitate access to higher education through a comprehensive technological solution. We will develop and deploy an open-access platform for technology-enabled learning environment that will enable the design and delivery of quality ODL in S&T higher education. The TEAL2.O platform will have the following benefits:- modularity and full customizability, allowing institutions and faculty to design programs and develop teaching content that suit local needs and constraints, including those of underrepresented learners- unlimited possibilities for collaborative learning and teaching, allowing institutions to pool available expertise and support quality- learner-centred education, flexible learning pathways and co-creation on the part of learners- open source hardware and software integrated into the learning process to maximize learners’ exposure to technology and provide access to virtual labs and experimentationWe will train staff, faculty and students to use and develop the platform, and will establish 8 university Centres to provide user support and promote the exploitation of TEAL2.O, in the long run helping it to grow into a self-sustainable learning network.
The specific objectives are: 1) Develop a Technology Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) environment, in the form of an open access online platform hosted in the cloud, allowing collaborative teaching across geographically distributed institutions, 2) To initiate learning & teaching content development through the platform, thus kick-starting and promoting the use of the platform in the PCs, 3)To build human resources capacity and support structures to enable the active exploitation of the platform.
The TEAL2.O project is implemented by a consortium of eleven universities – three in Sri Lanka, three in India, two in Thailand, three in Europe, joined by a consultancy company for ensuring the quality of the project. One higher education network in Sri Lanka and six PC Universities supported the efforts as associated partners. The project aimed at Improving access to Science and Technology higher education in resource poor higher education institutions in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
<< Background >> The TEAL2.O project is implemented by a consortium of eleven universities – three in Sri Lanka, three in India, two in Thailand, three in Europe, joined by a consultancy company for ensuring the quality of the project. One higher education network in Sri Lanka and six PC Universities supported the efforts as associated partners. The project aimed at Improving access to Science and Technology higher education in resource poor higher education institutions in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. << Objectives >> The specific objectives are: 1) Develop a Technology Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) environment, in the form of an open access online platform hosted in the cloud, allowing collaborative teaching across geographically distributed institutions, 2) To initiate learning & teaching content development through the platform, thus kick-starting and promoting the use of the platform in the PCs, 3)To build human resources capacity and support structures to enable the active exploitation of the platform. << Implementation >> The project was implemented over a period of 4 years. A 1 year extension was granted in order to compensate for the difficulties and delays caused by the COVID19 pandemic at the onset of the project. An online mode of coordination was quickly adopted to ensure the project task monitoring and management. A well structured quality assurance process was put in place to ensure that the deliverables were successfully achieved. Online dissemination tools were effectively used for wider exploitation. << Results >> Developed one fully functional software platform for collaborative teaching across various institutions across nations; developed extensive guidelines (document guides/online tool tips/video tutorials); 13 fully fledged courses offered (and 4 additional courses are designed and are scheduled to commence); developed 151 units of learning resources, 76 course specification, 4 programs; a total of 1500+ students were catered to in real classrooms, 830 faculty trained and over 1000 people reached.