Deploying an e-Learning environment in Zanzibar: A short guide

In April 2020, the MoEVT and the World Bank approached the EdTech Hub to explore the feasibility of implementing a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The parties agreed on three deliverables to support this work.

1. A practical and actionable report analysing key factors to be considered in deploying an e-learning platform in Zanzibar.

2. A report documenting the process of sourcing appropriate digital content, aligning this content with the curriculum and populating the e-learning system accordingly.

3. An implementation plan to guide the deployment of an e-learning system in Zanzibar.

This presentation deck is the third deliverable.

In April 2020, the MoEVT and the World Bank approached the EdTech Hub to explore the feasibility of implementing a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The parties agreed on three deliverables to support this work.
This presentation deck is the third deliverable.
Feasibility assessment 1 Content curation 2 Implementation of a VLE 3 A practical and actionable report analysing key factors to be considered in deploying an e-learning platform in Zanzibar; A report documenting the process of sourcing appropriate digital content, aligning this content with the curriculum and populating the e-learning system accordingly; An implementation plan to guide the deployment of an e-learning system in Zanzibar.

A presentation deck
An overview of the element that should be addressed in a plan to pilot and implement a VLE An outline of a proposed approach that can be used to pilot a VLE An overview of the expertise that will be required to support VLE piloting and implementation

This resource provides
A full document A step-by-step framework Recommendation of a specific VLE All the expertise you need

Roles and responsibilities Roles and responsibilities -principles
One coordinating body There should be one coordinating body, responsible for liaising with all players.
Clearly defined roles and responsibilities

Experts must be allocated or hired
There are many essential roles in a VLE implementation team.
If experts cannot be found within the ministry, or their time cannot be allocated to this activity, they need to be engaged from outside or from abroad.

Piloting and implementation
Pilot where you want to scale, not where it is easy to pilot • Implementing a VLE has many prerequisites. A more complex VLE has more prerequisites.
• All prerequisites must be met for the implementation to be effective.
• If most but not all prerequisites are met, the implementation will not be a success.
• In this example, there are many prerequisites and most are met. However, because there is an insufficient data package, the implementation will not be a success. Without well-trained teachers the VLE will not be used. Ministry staff must be equipped to lead the roll-out and support schools to use the platform. Students need to be gradually supported to build the VLE into their daily learning activities. Parents must have a functional knowledge of the VLE to be able to support their children.
There is a chain of dependencies from teachers to supporting staff and school management. All need training in the VLE as part of their continuous professional development plan. S u p p o r t t r a i n i n g S u p p o r t T r a i n i n g

Budget and timelines Budget
Developing even a broad budget for a VLE is difficult due to the many variables and ongoing costs, which often vary wildly depending on the level of customisation, users, etc.
It is important to note that even free VLEs are not free: the installation, maintenance, updates, etc., are done by government and institutions instead of the service provider.
The cost of a VLE per student typically goes down as the number of students increases. The second budget example is a more complex option and represents a situation with one device per student in a lab; classes rotate through the lab.
This budget example is rough and contains the following assumptions: • amortisation of four years for devices The table below provides a rough estimate for the human resource costs per school. The budget below applies to a situation with one lab. Teacher training costs are the additional training costs necessary for working with a VLE and include teacher salary, transport, trainer, lunch, accommodation, etc. Central costs for piloting, content curation, content upload, training material, monitoring protocols, etc., have not been included.
With approximately 1,000 schools, the annual additional HR cost comes to $12,150,000.

Budget -experts must be allocated or hired
A good project team is essential, but the relevant expertise may not be present within the ministry or region.
Allocating or attracting experts requires budget allocation. For the rough budget below, we have assumed that resources are available in the region. If international expertise is necessary, these costs will rise considerably. Note that external experts are a temporary solution and that the ministry must build its own capacity with their help.

Examples of VLEs
We have gathered a list of potential VLEs. This is not a complete list.
Selection criteria for these VLEs were: They offer offline capabilities; in some cases, this requires a local router with the VLE installed They allow content to be uploaded; in some cases, they may contain their own content as well The links at the end of this deck refer to more resources Licensing costs are only a fraction of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for any implementation.

VLE License Comments
Kolibri Free Low-cost solution designed for and tested in LMICs (e.g., Tanzania, DRC). Large content library; offers full offline VLE (including student assessment).

Rachel Plus Free
Low-cost solution around a local, offline server (the 'Rachel'). Focus on content provision rather than VLE features.

Moodle Free
Widely used open source LMS in higher education. Mixed outcomes for schools and LMICs. Limited offline functionality. No content provided. Highly customisable.
ProFuturo Free Proprietary but free in emerging markets; does have some content as well.