Through its TrainForTrade programme, UNCTAD has been developing capacity-building modules in distance learning (DL).

1. What is distance learning?

DL is a tool to build and sustain capacity-building activities around the concepts of self-learning and networking. 

A "classical" face-to-face training module is usually designed by experts with a unique face-to-face workshop, supported by pedagogical support (background documents, slides, tests, etc.).

• In a distance learning module the course is designed for participants to learn by themselves, without a formal face-to-face seminar. Several ways of building the module are possible: the expert leading the module - as a "professor" - can be filmed, the trainees can be given the slides and background material, etc.
• Resources can be available online or reserved to a selected range of trainees for self-study (restricted access to a dedicated website - with personal log-in, etc.)
• DL allows to reduce the time of face-to-face seminars and to give to participants the opportunity of self-building their learning context: for instance, trainees can adopt a one-hour a day learning method, one-day a week, etc. The course is designed to be flexible and to match participants' constraints and expectations.
• Thanks to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools, the trainees' follow up is possible: networking by the internet (forums, etc.), online tutorship, etc. This follow-up is centralized in UNCTAD headquarters in Geneva.

A face-to-face seminar concludes the learning process; this formal workshop is dedicated to the necessary aspects than are better achieved with a face-to-face relationship.

[For more information on DL implementation please click here - 405KB]

2. What are the assets of DL?

• DL allows to design workshops in a flexible training format. Training resources become available for different contexts - depending on the participants' situation -  and its progressive and modular approach makes differentiated accesses to the content possible.
• Furthermore, DL processes make the replication of a module easier. Training materials are standardized and the framework is available for including new subjects; therefore it extends the reach of training.

3. DL and e-Tourism

The e-Tourism Initiative has developed its Introduction to e-Marketing course with the DL principle. This course will have a face-to-face version and a DL version. Several courses will be further developed with both principles, in order to extend the diffusion of e-Tourism specialized workshops.

[To have a sample of the Introduction to e-Marketing course in distance learning click here - FR]