This endeavor was started by Dr. (Prof) Seble Frehywot and Dr. (Prof) Yianna Vovides. It stemmed from three simple visions. The first: that IT, in its various manifestations, can enhance equity for health and education systems, around the globe. The second: that artificial intelligence is propagating and, if embraced, it can be useful within our expertise areas; however, if we, as experts in health and educations systems equity, do not partner with those working on the ai algorithms, the ai solutions implemented in these spaces may be detrimental. The third: that more work/research needs to be done (including artificial intelligence based research) regarding various forms of e-pedagogy and e-andragogy to utilize e-learning as an equity tool for building Low and Middle Income Countries health and education systems .
One way we are leveraging IT to enhance manifestation of equity in health and education systems is by utilizing IT communication portals to build Communities of Practice (CoP) around community based health and education systems. To this end, we are launching the Peoples Webinar series to utilize IT to address the challenges in health and education systems.
Start by reading the following:
If you would like to contribute to this effort, please reach out to us by emailing Dr. Seble Frehywot (itfhese@gmail.com).
In addition, Dr. Yianna Vovides is leading an exploratory study to better understand how distance/remote instruction is implemented in a time of crisis and beyond. The study aims to investigate the emergence of possible new models for distance education based on the models that were available before COVID19. Learn more and participate.
This section features recent stories that are connected to the work of IT for Health and Education Systems Equity.
Currently, eLearning teaching and delivery methods need to be reimagined to make them accessible, equitable, and enjoyable globally. Currently, that is not the case.
Read the Blog (external site)"A staggering two-thirds of world’s school-aged children – 1.3 billion children aged 3-17 – do not have internet connection in their homes, preventing them from learning vital skills needed to compete in the modern economy, a new UN report has revealed."
Read the Report (UN site)From the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. The report holds that while low- and middle-income countries may have the most to gain from the radical potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform health systems, they may also have the most to lose.
Read the report (external site)The Peoples Webinar series featured the MIT-Grassroot collaboration in South Africa in July 2020. Here is a news story from Open Learning, MIT, August 6, 2020.
Read MoreTake a look at the recorded webinars from the Peoples Webinar series and Byte-sized Blog posts.
This webinar discussed lessons learned from a novel online course using WhatsApp that teaches leadership and organizing skills to community organizers. WhatsApp, as an e-learning platform, offers the possibility of reimagining social media platforms as a new avenue for advancing civic pedagogy and networking for long-term social movement building. Though additional iterations are required, initial […]
This webinar featured stories from multiple perspectives: faculty (academic staff), professional staff, and student. The panelists shared their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned so far, and the questions that still remain unanswered for the future of online education in LMIC. This took place on May 14, 2020. Panelists: Sheila Jagannathan is Lead Learning Specialist and […]
There are more than one billion people with disabilities who are facing the challenges of COVID-19. They face major difficulties in being able to manage both prevention and recovery. Their loved ones need to care for them in close proximity and therefore social distancing is not practical. Many facilities are not geared to accommodate their […]
Framework for Utilizing E-learning for Education Equity May 26, 2020 | By Dr. Seble Frehywot What do we want to reimagine at ITfHESE? E-learning What do we want to repurpose? The necessary vehicle(s) that delivers e-learning. What do we specifically want to create? Excellent online education (not defined by current terms) that is accessible and […]
The following are the individuals who contributed to the efforts to create a community of practice focused on IT for Health and Education Systems Equity in LMIC.
Email: itfhese@gmail.com
Join our mailing list