The World Forum Networking Project for 2004-2005

The Sharing of Early Childhood Development Distance Learning Initiatives
-Canada and Nepal-

A primary objective of the World Forum Networking Project is to foster an ongoing exchange of ideas on a global basis. Within the parameters of the preceding objective, the goal of this project was to develop a consultation and outcome process between the College of the North Atlantic, Canada, with its well-defined Early Childhood Education Distance Learning Program at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where early childhood development distance learning courses are in the pilot stages.

Many early childhood educators in Newfoundland, Canada, cannot formally attend a post secondary institution to receive training and a subsequent diploma or degree in this discipline. Hence, the College of the North Atlantic offers a diploma and training in early childhood education through the distance/distributed learning mode. The Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, has launched pilot distance learning courses in early childhood development. Consequently, it was felt that relating the College of the North Atlantic's experiences in distance learning could be beneficial to the development of distance learning in Nepal.
Our plan of action was threefold in scope:

1. To briefly examine the current status of early childhood development distance learning in Nepal. This aspect of the action plan was accomplished through visits and discussions with the faculty/staff of the Research Center for Educational Innovation and Development (CERID), the Dean and Associate Dean of Education, Tribhuvan University, the retired Dean of the Faculty of Education responsible for implementing the pilot distance learning early childhood development course in Nepal, a district education officer, and the former mayor of the Dhuklikhel Municipality.


2. To give a seminar on the College of the North Atlantic's experiences and understanding germane to early childhood education through the distance learning modality. Attending this presentation were students, faculty, and administration of Tribhuvan University as well as other interested personnel.


3. To establish a network to foster an ongoing exchange of ideas pertaining to the Canada/Nepal distance learning initiative. This networking process began in October 2002 in the CERID board room and continues through e-mail communication.

Wayne Eastman, Canada
Kishor Shrestha, Nepal