Call for papers on online learning, teaching and research in the developing world

The Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS) and Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg have issued an invitation to contribute to an edited book titled ‘Collaborative Online Learning, Teaching and Researching in BRICS+ and the Developing World’.

The editors are Dr Emmanuel Matambo (University of Johannesburg), Prof Siphamandla Zondi (University of Johannesburg), Dr Phindile Shangase (University of the Free State).

The book will discuss the opportunities and challenges for enhancing collaborative online learning, teaching and research as well as capacity-building in higher education across the developing world. Authors should submit abstracts based on their experience of online teaching and learning against the backdrop of COVID-19. The book will have three main themes:

1. Emergency online education
2. Harnessing digital collaboration
3. Capacity-building

BACKGROUND

Covid-19 and its associated lockdowns prompted the urgent adoption of virtual and hybrid teaching and learning models. To what extent have these measures impacted on the digital divide in the developing world? The proposed book will assist in identifying measures to implement and sustain online and blended learning, thereby also benefiting rural and formerly disadvantaged universities. Before COVID-19, networked educational technologies had enabled collaboration among scholars in different countries in the developing world. What are their observations and/or experiences of digital collaboration both at individual and institutional levels in the BRICS+ and developing world?

Capacity-building in online learning pertains to the acquisition of soft skills, improvements in ICT infrastructure, knowledge of and competency in the use of online pedagogies, and well-equipped and responsive learning management systems. Reviewed studies have also called for academics to collaborate on development initiatives, and policy-makers to accelerate digital competency. Vast socio-economic inequalities and adverse political dispensations have been identified as major barriers to online learning and its potentially transformative impact on education in African countries and other emerging economies.

SUGGESTED TOPICS

Possible themes to consider:

1. Online and/or blended learning in Higher Education during and post Covid-19.
2. Policy implications of the switch to blended learning and digital education.
3. Barriers & enablers to co-teaching through digitization among BRICS institutions.
4. Learning management systems and technologies and their impact on teaching & learning.
5. Ideas to strengthening digital training and learning in the BRICS and Africa.
6. Connecting students and academics across the BRICS and Africa: impediments and possibilities.
7. Shared syllabi, shared curricula, and open transfer of pedagogical ideas, cultural understanding, and technical know-how.
8. The co-production of knowledge among students and academics.
9. The empowerment of academics to integrate blended learning in their curriculum and pedagogies in the BRICS and African countries.
10. Technical access and digital literacies among students and academics in the BRICS and African countries.
11. Building sustained co-teaching/co-researching relationships through networked technologies.
12. Facilitating inter-institutional collaboration through networked technologies.
13. Connected co-learning and co-teaching in an online and blended environment within the BRICS/African countries.

DATES AND DEADLINES

• • Submission of abstracts: 10 April 2023
  • Review and notification: 1 May 2023
  • Length of abstract: 300 words, excluding titles
  • Suggested structure: Background, methods, findings and conclusion.
  • Submission of chapter: 24 July 2023
  • Length of chapter: 5000-7000 words

SUBMISSIONS

We hope to hear from you! Submissions may be forwarded to Ms Lebo Mosebua at lebom@uj.ac.za, Ms Hellen Adogo at hellena@uj.ac.za, or Ms Nqophisa Diko at nqozadiko@gmail.com.

Image by Desole Lanre Ologun on Unsplash.