Neil Butcher

The Partnership for Higher Education in Africa Educational

Technology Initiative

Project GoalThe purpose of the project is to support

interventions in universities supported by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa (PHEA) to make increasingly effective use of educational technology to address some of the underlying educational challenges facing the higher educational sector in Africa. This will require a focus on capacity development to initiate and sustain effective educational technology projects which impact on the nature and quality of the student learning experience and outcomes, as well as a focus on knowledge creation and dissemination across and between partner universities on the use of educational technology.

Part A ProductsA model for engaging institutions in the

development of effective, integrated Educational Technology Plans.

Seven comprehensive Educational Technology Plans.

A network of researchers established across participating institutions.

A coordinated research programme, which comprises local-level research activities conceptualized and developed under the auspices of an overarching set of questions.

Emerging Lessons (1)Unpredictable events are the norm, so this

reality should be factored into project design and timingKeep expectations of what will be delivered

realistic and modest, rather than overloading the project designs with highly ambitious objectives

Ensure that timeframes to achieve objectives are kept tight, but leave space towards the end of these timeframes to absorb unexpected delays 

Working through rigid hierarchies creates problems in communication and implementation

Emerging Lessons (2)Often, educational technology units are

marginalized within institutionsCapacity development is a key need,

including ability to design projects that: (a) have clearly identifiable, specific, and realistic deliverables; (b) respond to already identified institutional priorities; and (c) are properly budgeted, with full analysis of all resource inputs required for implementation

Paucity of ICT infrastructure remains a major barrier to deployment of technology for educational purposes.

Simplicity is key to success and success is key to future success

Publishing Results

See the results on: www.oerafrica.org (follow links to the PHEA Educational Technology

Initiative)