Introductory remarks to the project Matti Sinko Education Commission 2005

Enhancing ICT competence of teachers in the SADC region through innovative learning & knowledge communities Why? Teachers’ role critical in bridging the digital divide, new approaches needed What? Improved competences for teachers to teach and develop their work How? Based on the activity theory of work and a virtual teacher support network Who? Botswana, Finland, Mauritius, RSA… Funding? Pilot: Finland. Project: ? When? Pilot 2005, Project 2006-2007 Education Commission 2005

Enhancing ICT competence of teachers in the SADC region through innovative learning & knowledge communities Why this theme for the project? Why this approach? Why this methodology? What assumptions must be made? Education Commission 2005

Why this theme? Teachers’ “e-readiness” is globally a critical bottleneck in “going e” in education. Addressing it successfully is a continuous challenge throughout the world of education. The SADC region faces the same challenges but has also a great potential to cope. More pertinent issues threaten to divert the focus away from the proposed theme. Education Commission 2005

Why this approach? When proven methods do not yield results effective enough, new approaches deserve to be researched, tested and applied. According to many studies, majority of teachers even after comprehensive national initiatives, report persistently that they lack competence and confidence in using ICT. Therefore there is scope for complimentary measures. Education Commission 2005

Why this methodology? Promising results Enriching the professional development toolbox of educators Gives interesting and continuous challenges also to education researchers. Lines up nicely with a broader view on Information Society development across the digital divide. Education Commission 2005

Purpose of the project? Improved competences for teachers to teach and develop their work Support tools Sustaining capacity building in longer term Scaling up the number of Change laboratories Developing teacher education curricula Education Commission 2005

How? Based on The activity theory of work Local Change Labs A virtual teacher support network VCILT resource base Education Commission 2005

Who? Botswana: Finland: Mauritius: RSA: Private sector: IGOs: NGOs: Education Commission 2005

Funding? Pilot: Finland Project: Education Commission 2005

Time scale From a pilot phase to a full scale project and beyond. 2008 Continuing as business as usual Education Commission 2005

What assumptions must be made? Should line up with the policies and initiatives of participating education and teacher communities. Requires full commitment of participating communities and organisations. Needs other support measures. Will get appropriate resources. Education Commission 2005