Research Around the World

 

A look at

 

Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU)

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

University of Victoria, Canada

 international gateway for early childhood research worldwide 

 

 

 

 

 The two following excerpts from the ECDVU website explain the purpose of  the virtual university: 

"ECDVU Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Program Overview

The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) is an innovative and multifaceted approach to addressing ECD capacity building and leadership development in Africa. The ECDVU is supported by a range of international, regional and local organizations, including the employers of participants. It is a unique training and results-oriented program that uses face-to-face and distributed learning methods including: residential seminars, web-based instruction, CD-Rom and print material support, and a 'community of learners' strategy within and among cohort countries. Typically, ECDVU participants are nominated by ECD country committees; these committees' nominations are based on achieving inter-sectoral, multi-organizational representation and evidence of individual commitment to child well-being and broader social development within the country. Nominees accept responsibility for promoting ECD capacity within their country, their region and internationally."

"As noted in the Overview, the ECDVU is committed to improving the quality of life for children and their families in Africa. The program seeks to accomplish this through working, on a sustained basis, with ECD leaders from across the continent. To meet the ECDVU’s child and social development objectives, it employs a number of approaches to post-secondary education that are ‘non-traditional’ in nature. These include: recognizing the strengths and expertise that exist locally and regionally; incorporating these ‘voices’ and experiences into the learning process; promoting sustainable, interactive networks that reach rural as well as urban populations; and using computer technology as a means for developing strong information and communication systems within Africa. At the same time, certain other features of the ECDVU seem more familiar as part of a traditional educational process: delivery of a sequence of courses, each with a course number and title, and delivered by academically qualified individuals. Blending strengths from both approaches is an essential characteristic of the ECDVU."

 

Following are two researches posted on the ECDVU "Final Major Projects and Theses" page: 

Although not a recent paper, Phaello Ntšonyane’s research “Incorporating Indigenous Stories of Basotho in an ECD Program at Leseli Community Centre” explains the importance of storytelling in children’s language and social development (1990).  Moreover, Phaello Ntšonyane affirms that using indigenous stories provides children from those cultures a context that will help them develop a strong identity, self-esteem and confidence.  

Phaello Ntšonyane

B.Sc. Ed, National University of Lesotho, 1990

Stella Etse in Ghana researched “Parents’ and Other Caregivers’ Perception of Early Childhood Development Needs and Quality: A Study of the PLAN-Assisted Programs in Bawjiase” and was interested in learning what parents perceived as optimal education for their children, what programs they should receive in order to optimally develop. Stella Etse also inquired whether other caregivers, program managers’ perception of those needs differed from parents’.

Stella Etse

M.Sc., University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 1997

Exploring the ECDVU website made the world feel closer. It is invigorating and reassuring to know that the early childhood field is connected even in the most remote parts of the world. Since technology provides a space for sharing studies and ideas, the idea stemming from the University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C found a perfect tool to promote early childhood rights and well-being (ECDVU).