Can technology help level the unequal education playing field : an innovative blended technology based education program in Mongolia

Meeting the needs of students across the vast territory of Mongolia, especially, those located in remote areas, who are most often unable to access high quality educational resources has still been a challenge in Mongolia. The wide gap between the education quality offered in urban and rural areas exacerbates the urban and rural divide. Various types of distance and open learning activities have taken place in order to reach the most marginalized. However, the Blended Technology Education Program (BTEP) aims to make a step forward in bridging the gap. This paper analyses research findings of a year long BTEP project implemented by the Education Channel Television of Mongolia with a financial support from the International Development Research Center (IDRC) in Canada within the DREAM IT umbrella program. The BTEP combines Television, Internet and Cell phone and develops high quality education content to make available nationwide. Research was an essential component of the project and revealed positive impacts