Ron Batikawai Blog

The role of Open Educational Resources (OER) for Learning and Teaching in the South Pacific  The geographical layout of the South Pacific, its remoteness from major continental landmasses, together with its small economies pose direct challenges for education delivery. This blog post explores the role of open educational resources (OER) in improving education for Pacific Island countries with emphasis on the University of the South Pacific (USP). Open Education Resources (OER) according to  (Atkins, Brown & Hammond, 2007) refer to teaching, learning and research materials in any medium that reside in the public domain and have been released under an open licence that permits access, use, repurposing, reuse and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions. This perspective means that education is increasingly encouraged to become a public good where resources are shared with others to improve learning and its this aspect of OER that  is novel and creativ...

Reflection on the nexus between technology and Learning  (Eroni Rikoriko Batikawai) Technology has always been part and parcel of education, albeit what we regard as technology 400 years ago may be different to what we refer to technology today. For instance the first calculator invented in 1623 may not be among the list of todays technological tools in an age of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Regardless of the changes in time, technology (machinery, equipment, tools developed from the application of scientific knowledge) in its various forms continue to influence education system. Picture (left): 1623: First Adding Machine Technology-Enabled Learning  It's useful to discuss the technological innovations in the 21st century which we get to enjoy today and perhaps take for granted. Thirty years ago no one knew of innovations such as 'social media' (facebook, twitter, snapchat), 3D-printing, augmented reality, virtual reality, blockhain, digital electronic bo...