Improving Education via Digital Collaboration

The Global Learning Portal (GLP) is an independent multi-stakeholder alliance launched by USAID, AED, and Sun. GLP is a global innovation network and platform for educators to collaborate, share content and knowledge, and acquire skills. As of August 2009, GLP has more than 4,000 registered users in 169 countries and territories. Headquartered in Washington, DC, GLP's activities span the globe.

  • In Afghanistan, the Higher Education portal connects 16 teacher training faculties across the country.
  • Across Latin America, educators are discussing and sharing ideas on active school methodology.
  • In the Philippines, teachers jointly develop materials.
  • Education district administrators in Kenya learn out about new education strategies and reforms.
  • Educators in Zambia are accessing teaching materials, syllabi, and guidelines.
  • Teachers in Central Asia find resources in the use of the ITLM (interactive teaching and learning materials) methodology.
  • Youth in Palestine have a network to support personal and community development in an area of low employment opportunities and challenging security.

Improving Education Outcomes
What is Collaboration Technology?

Collaboration technology is defined as digital tools which allow users to communicate and collaborate about specific subjects via the internet. These technology tools include message boards and web forums, websites, mailing lists, digital libraries, chat, e-learning software, video, audio and other multi-media, and social software. . GLP offers both a breadth of experience implementing these tools in development contexts and an existing platform offering rapid and sustainable technology implementation.

The goal of the GLP is to improve education outcomes, especially in developing countries, by promoting educational reform through collaboration technology.

GLP can connect and inspire educators and education stakeholders by creating and managing customized collaboration technology solutions.

We offer public and private on-line communities that feature collaborative tools including digital archives, resource libraries, message boards and discussion forums, e-learning tools, and multi-media and social software.

GLP works closely with its members and partners to conduct a thorough needs assessment to ensure the activity addresses educators' needs and is appropriate to context including localization and off-line solutions where connectivity is a challenge.

The Power of Digital Collaboration

GLP harnesses the power of digital collaboration and community to promote development by empowering teachers, creating education champions, and fostering improvement.

GLP has three main competencies:

  • Collaborative technology platform
  • Expertise in education, international development, and information communication technology for education
  • Robust alliance of public and private sector partners (government, NGO, educator, business)