Localization of e-Learning Platforms: A Case Study of Bangladesh
摘要
One of the key contributing factors of ICT development in Bangladesh is the facilitation of remote learning for the populous. Education, knowledge building, and capacity development being interconnected with the exposure to learning resources has motivated the introduction of e-Learning platforms in the country like Muktopaath and NISE. Both are virtual learning platforms, collaborative effort of the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) programme and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. From the perspective of exposure and collaborative view point, both are partly government incentivized e-Learning platform that is utilizing the aspect of knowledge sharing and education as service delivery. From Muktopaath, 96% of the respondents have identified a clear correlation between using e-Learning platform as a positive step toward becoming a smarter tech savvy citizen while the same response for NISE platform is 63%. Till December 2023, Muktopaath had 1.9 million registered members, 1.98 million enrolled learners and 1 million graduate learners with a massive bank of virtual resources making it the largest e-learning platform in Bangladesh covering multiple topics in Bangla language. It is a blended education modality with the lowest cost service comprising of multiple courses generated by a long list of expertise from the level of policy makers, academicians and field experts. From education being a basic need it is connected to the factor of employment. With the current changes and shifts in the job market people are dependent on newer skills and proper education. Connected to the newer need the NISE platform was introduced that bridged a connection between jobs and job seekers. At present more than 1,070 skills service providers along with more than 18,000 jobs are connected through the platform. Whilst making connection to the job providers from the industry level it also provides e-training services, comprising of more than 500 courses, concentrating specifically on the job requirements. It is a proper data driven decision making medium with acute traceability of the jobs and skill requirement for the job seekers. Assessing these two large platforms has brought out the essence of what role e-Learning platforms can play in education and skill development. The recommendations and gaps identified through the study can help in improving the functionality of the platforms and upscaling them for better service delivery.