ICT lesson from abroad for Consortium for School Networking

Corporate Updates

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November 19, 2009

As part of the organization’s latest effort to learn from colleagues abroad, a delegation of U.S. education technology leaders from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) visited Scotland and the Netherlands last week to learn more about the world’s first national intranet for education, international approaches to online safety, and more.

Last year, a CoSN delegation toured Scandinavia in search of answers for how students in that region of the world were able to score so high on a recent international test of math and science skills. This year, the delegation hoped to learn more about international practices for integrating ICT into instruction, as well as how data-driven decision making influences initiatives and strategies in Scotland and the Netherlands.

The six-day visit, which began November 8th, marked CoSN’s fourth international delegation. While abroad, the delegation held high-level meetings with both public and private-sector officials. Specifically, the delegation hoped to learn how strategic investments in ICT by Scotland and the Netherlands are preparing their students for higher achievement and success in a global economy; explore innovative uses of technology, including Web 2.0 collaborative tools, national learning platforms, and other cutting-edge applications; and discover common challenges in using ICT to transform learning.

In Scotland, the delegation met with senior staff at Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS), the lead government-funded organization for the development of Scottish ICT initiatives, and heard about the Glow Network, the world’s first national intranet for education.

Iken.in Empowers e-learning Experience

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

Mexus Education, an educational innovation enterprise, through its flagship social media enhanced e-learning website 'Iken.in', announced the launch of online learning subscriptions packages for Class VI to IX of study material designed for CBSE, ICSE and State Board students, mapped according to the NCERT curriculum. The packages include educational videos, slides shows, movies, animations, test papers and questions, performance assessment, feedback and a whole host of content which complements course curriculum and simplifies the learning process. Iken.in is a student centric education portal which integrates e-learning and social media features, in order to facilitate easy learning methods, with its unique blend of 'edutainment' – education and entertainment. Students can share and view presentations and videos, take tests, revise their curriculum, connect with peers and play educational interactive games on the site.

Unique features of Iken.in include integration of e-learning and social media features to create a unique online learning experience; it complements CBSE, ICSE, and State Board prescribed course material with interactive, multimedia enhanced learning content; it offers more than 10000 unique courseware elements which include educational videos, animation films, slideshows, mind maps, assessment tests, FAQs, etc. available on the site; it has 25,000+ users already registered on 'Iken.in'; it includes virtual knowledge currency 'Ken' which facilitates easy access to educational material on 'Iken.in'; and it has more than 6000 unique educational videos, 3000 presentations, 2000 mind maps, 4000 assessment tests and 5000 unique customized questions. 'Iken.in' also offers 'pay-per-content' option, where instead of buying an entire subscription package users can pay for access to only select study material elements, like a video or presentation as per the need. This makes 'Iken.in' extremely competitive compared to other e-learning options available to students in the market. 'Ken' the on-site virtual knowledge currency, can be earned by uploading relevant educational content on the website or can also be bought through an online payment.

America brought together 17 Universities for Sri Lankan Education

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

17 US universities were brought together by Amazing America 2009, to create an event that educated and informed the Sri Lankan students, parents and other institutes about the American education system, entrance opportunities, visas, scholarship programmes, student life and much more. This is a yearly event which was conducted for the second successful time in Sri Lanka. The event was held in Colombo at Cinnamon Lake on November 6 and 7 and at Queens Hotel in Kandy on November 9. In Colombo, the opening Ceremony was graced by Her Excellency, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Patricia Butenis and Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga. The opening ceremony in Kandy was graced by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The event was sponsored by American College of Higher Education, Sri Lanka. The mandate of American Alumni Association is the furtherance of educational opportunities between Sri Lanka and the US, with the primary purpose of promoting fellowship, achievements, appreciation of American culture and values and ultimately to build a mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

Remdial programmes by Radford University

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

A private tertiary institution, Radford University College, has instituted remedial education programmes to prepare secondary school students for the university. The programme is targeted at enabling candidates, who fail to qualify to enroll at universities because of poor grades and equip them to re-sit. Professor James E. Kutz, President of Radford University, explained that the university was undertaking the programme, in addition to its main curricula, to give young people the opportunity to enter university. He mentioned that it was necessary that quality remedial chances were offered to students who failed at the first attempt to enter the university, adding that there was the need to ensure that the over 60 % of SHS candidates who failed annually were properly catered for.

As part of the remedial programme, the university is pursuing individualised educational programmes to address peculiar learning deficiencies in students. Situated at East Legon, Radford University College, which is ready to roll out its main stream programmes to Ghanaians, is aiming at providing quality education to address the needs of the broad spectrum of the Ghanaian and African society. With the prime objective of helping to explore and develop the talents of young people to become leaders in various fields, Radford University, which prides itself on modern educational facilities, hopes to introduce new paradigm in the delivery of education with comprehensive curricula that provides vast opportunities for prospective students.

Malaysian Plan to focus on Education and HR Development

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

In an urgent bid to generate a skilled pipeline of knowledge workers to support the country's industries and lure investments, the federal government is gearing the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to give particular focus on education and human resource development. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackop told that the plan is to be implemented from 2011 to 2015; it was being drafted ahead of schedule to give enough time to iron out the details of allocations for the critical economic plan. He mentioned that government will make efforts to ensure building the physical infrastructure for the economy, as well as preparing appropriate human resource supply to protect and boost the industries.

The allocations for the 10MP must be attuned towards developing a reservoir of professionals, particularly for industries identified to spearhead the economy by 2020. The Penang government recently said a certain foreign multi-national investor was forced to drop plans to invest Euro3 billion (RM10.2 billion) in the state as it could not be assured of a ready pool of 1,000 electronics and engineers that it needed. Nor Mohamed told that the plan would ensure necessary allocations to facilitate proper teacher training and syllabus preparation geared towards science, technology and relevant fields for industries.

Ghana Telecom partners with ZTE for ICT training enhancement

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

Ghana Telecom University College (GTUC) and Zhong Xing Telecommunication (ZTE) University, on Tuesday signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the areas of resource sharing and training. According to the agreement, the two sides will implement a long-term cooperation and offer resource sharing to each other in the training sector to enhance professional development and learning skills. As part of the deal, ZTE will help establish a training centre with a practice laboratory to help enhance capacity building and professional development of students and lecturers. Osei Darkwa, President, GTUC and Judy He, Managing Director of ZTE Ghana Limited signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The deal will also lead to the enhancement of the professional skills of GTUC and ZTE staff through training, staff interactions and exchange of experiences and information and the joint initiation and implementation of technical training programmes. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Communication, said it was government's determination to transform the college to a full fledged university to offer Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training to the youth to help accelerate the country's economic development.

In this direction, government is in negotiation with Vodafone Ghana to ensure that the University College runs as an autonomous institution. Iddrisu said the outcome of the negotiations might lead to some job losses but government was appealing to management of Vodafone to ensure that decisions taken reflect the collective bargaining agreement of the workers and that it was fair and equitable. He said the university was key to ICT development and education, especially in providing open access to many qualified Ghanaians, who currently did not have access to the country's training institutions. Darkwa, President of GTUC emphasized the need for application of technology in raising effectiveness and quality of education and to prepare the people to participate in the global economy. The educational platform resulting from the collaboration would enable them reach out to students outside the capital city.

Visit-Japan Program to be availed by 6 High School Students

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

Six high school students from different parts of the country have left for the two-week 'Visit-Japan Program' from November 15 to December 1, told the Japanese embassy in Manila. Led by their supervisor, Georgina Palmario, the 13- to 15-year-olds left for an opportunity to understand Japanese culture through home-stay and other exchange activities with students of the Kamigo Junior High School. Dana Sofia T. Ferma of Faith Christian High School, Patricia Marie S. Regalado of Colegio San Agustin (Makati), Lora Megumi Z. Santiago of Makati Science High School, Gabriel A. Monteza of Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati, Paul John T. Ngoyahon of Infant Jesus Montessori School, and Allen Alexander V. Villanueva of Colegio San Agustin-Laguna, were included in the above. The visit is under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths-Asia Japan Alumni Association (Jenesys-Asja) Jr. Program.

Aside from the Philippines, participants from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are also invited in this batch where supervisors have an opportunity to interact with their counterparts at this Japanese junior high school as well as to exchange views on education with each other. The Jenesys-Asja Jr. Program, which started on 2007, is sponsored by the Japanese government and is implemented jointly by Asja International and Philfeja in the Philippines, in cooperation with JICC and the embassy of Japan. Interested students can still apply to be part of the April and May programs. Application forms and guidelines for both programs are available at the National Youth Commission. They can also be downloaded from the websites of NYC and embassy of Japan.

More funds to Higher Education

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

The United Kingdom's Prime Ministers Initiative was established to support quality improvements at universities. A fund of 1.2 million (just under Rp 19 billion) has been made available to higher education institutions around the world, including those in Indonesia, to develop international partnerships over the next two years. Higher education is a dream pursued by many students in Indonesia. However, despite the demand there are no Indonesian educational institutions listed in the top 200 Times Higher Education Supplement (THE) 'best universities in the world.' The Global Competitiveness Report (2009/2010) – which includes ratings of countries' global competitiveness based on the quality higher education available – ranks Indonesia 54th among 133 countries. This is below Singapore (ranked third), Malaysia (24th), China (29th), Thailand (36th) and India (49th).

The National Statistic Agency reported that as of February 2009, 13 % of Indonesia's unemployed held bachelor's degrees – this is around 1.2 million people! One of the ways to improve the quality of education is through partnerships between universities in Indonesia and other countries. International collaboration is usually delivered through double degree programs, franchising or staff exchanges. International students from universities already affiliated with a UK institution benefit double: they secure a double diploma and receive one of the best educational experiences available. Since its launch in 2006, the Prime Ministers Initiative has already funded 235 collaborative programs in research, lecturer development, student exchanges and scholarships with universities around the world. Success stories include Bina Nusantara University (working with Northumbria University in Design Studies and Bournemouth University in Tourism & Hospitality), and Indonusa Esa Unggul University (with Heriot Watt University in Management). Other countries in Southeast Asia benefiting from the Prime Ministers Initiative include South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.

Gujarat to gets INR 3,500-crore ‘Education City’ at Mehsana

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 19, 2009

New Delhi-based infrastructure developer Anant Raj Industries will set up an 'Education City' at Mehsana, about 90 km from here, on an investment of INR 3,500 crore, the company said on Monday.

The township project, which is to come up on 750 acres, will have universities, colleges and schools besides multiplexes, service apartments, hostels, auditoriums and hotels, company executive director Amit Sarin said in a statement. The project will be completed in three phases over two years, with the first phase taking off in about two months, explained Sarin. Universities and colleges will be allocated between 10 to 20 acres for developing infrastructure at Mehsana Education City, Sarin said, adding that his company has begun contacting institutions in this regards. He added that the company is in the process of developing special economic zones (SEZs), IT parks, hotels, commercial complexes, malls, residential projects, service apartments and infrastructural facilities across the country.