Why is the M-Learning Policy Guidelines project needed?

System-wide, large-scale access and use of mobile technologies in education should go hand in hand with the role of policy makers in framing interventions and guiding decision-making. While many governments across the world have developed generalized policies on the use of ICT in education, many do not specifically engage with the use of mobile phones and their specific policy implications. Nor have existing mobile learning pilots considered the policy implications of such interventions to date.

The absence of guidelines to support national governments, education institutions, local private sector organizations and civil society in developing policies that support decision-making on mobile phone access and use, holds serious implications for their integration in education. This project therefore conducts research and develops guidelines on mobile learning policy that can support education institutions and national governments in framing their mobile learning programmes and interventions.

What is the goal of the project?

The goal of the project is to guide national governments and education institutions on policy choices that can support and enable education delivery through the safe, affordable and sustainable use of mobile technologies.

The goal of the project is also to develop the future of mobile learning beyond the Education For All goal year of 2015.

What are the objectives of the project?

The objectives of the project are

• To disseminate widely the initial background research findings and subsequent research related to the future of mobile learning and its policy implications
• To raise awareness among decision-makers in governments and organizations in developing countries
• To offer guidelines that can enable policy choices on mobile learning in ways that can support the EFA goals
• To include crossectoral policy issues in developing countries, which can affect the success of education policy generally and ICT in education policy in particular.
• To contribute to the possible extension or renewal of the EFA goals beyond 2015
• To explore future trends in mobile technologies and their propensity for enabling education delivery and social development
• To consider future policy implications in mobile communications

Who is the project for?

The actors involved in the development and consultations on policy guidelines include:

• Academics, consultants and members of the ICT for Development research community
• Developing country government policymakers, influencers and decision-makers
• Mobile technology experts and developers from the private sector
• Representatives of civil society organizations in developing countries
• Education specialists

The intended beneficiaries of this project are policymakers and decision-makers in national government, the private sector, civil society organizations and community based organizations who are involved in education systems.