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UNESCO, through its agency for Science and Technology, The African Network for Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) is announcing the availability of a self-learning course on how to develop e-content. The course entitled “How to develop electronic Content” version 1.2.1 is a valuable resource for any individual, department or university (or organization) that wishes to develop e-content to complement existing instructional techniques such as face-to-face. The course is distributed on CD and it comprises three modules namely, Introduction to the process of e-content development, The tools for e-content development and an Introduction to E-learning platforms. The CD is interactive in design and presents content in text narrative, examples, graphics and images, audio and video modes. It has used the concept of Objectives to drive and derive the learning experiences. At the end of each unit, there is a self-evaluation quiz with instant feedback of outcome. The next version of this CD will be out shortly. A French version equivalent is also underway. For further information, please contact the ANSTI secretariat at info@ansti.org. ANSTI/UNESCO Secretariat, P. O. BOX 30592, Nairobi, KENYA Tel: - +254 2 622619/20, 622725, 622716 Fax: - +254 2 622538, 622750 Email: - info@ansti.org, joseph.massaquoi@unesco.unon.org, j.massaquoi@unesco.org, m.matemu@unesco.org, mary.matemu@ansti.org

Date: 09 Sep 2005 Title: Mini labs take science to rural schools --------------------------------------------------------------- By Kulani Mavunda Bethal - Rural high school pupils in Mpumalanga will now have access to well-equipped mini science laboratories. The mini laboratories are small, compact, durable boxes that weigh no more than 15kg and do not need electricity. They also come with printed and electronic manuals, as well as equipment and chemicals for the Grade 8 and 9 Natural Science curricula. "The mini labs are designed to bridge the gap between secondary and tertiary education by stimulating an interest in science," said provincial education spokesperson Thomas Msiza. He said the mini labs were donated by a marketing company called the Bright Idea Project. "The new laboratories will allow pupils to put theory into practical learning," he said. Mini-labs have already been donated to Lekete and KwaMhlanga high schools. Co-owner of the Bright Idea Project, Isaac Johnson, said the manuals would eventually be translated in all eleven languages and cater for grades four to nine. "Language will not be a barrier," he said. "We envisage the mini lab to be a standard item in all under-resourced schools, in both rural and metropole regions, within the next two years." On Friday, eight more mini labs, worth R48 000, will be handed over to Ikhethelo Secondary School in Mzinoni near Bethal. - BuaNews

http://www.westga.edu/%7Edistance/ojdla/spring81/yang81.htm Preparing Instructors for Quality Online Instruction Yi Yang Ph.D. Candidate Department of Instructional Systems, Leadership, and Workforce Development Mississippi State University yy47@colled.msstate.edu Linda F. Cornelious, Ph.D. Professor Department of Instructional Systems, Leadership, and Workforce Development Mississippi State University lcornelious@colled.msstate.edu Abstract With a growing number of courses offered online and degrees offered through the Internet, there is a considerable interest in online education, particularly as it relates to the quality of online instruction. The major concerns are centering on the following questions: What will be the new role for instructors in online education? How will students' learning outcomes be assured and improved in online learning environment? How will effective communication and interaction be established with students in the absence of face-to-face instruction? How will instructors motivate students to learn in the online learning environment? This paper will examine new challenges and barriers for online instructors, highlight major themes prevalent in the literature related to “quality control or assurance” in online education, and provide practical strategies for instructors to design and deliver effective online instruction. Recommendations will be made on how to prepare instructors for quality online instruction.

MERLOT and TLT Group partner to deliver two faculty development programs 1. Group Webcast – MERLOT: Teaching with Technology In April of 2006, MERLOT and the TLT (Teaching, Learning and Technology) Group will offer the three week, online, participatory workshop, MERLOT: Teaching with Technology. The workshop will focus on how the MERLOT collection and services provide faculty with valuable resources in the design, delivery, and assessment of courses offered face-to-face, entirely online, or in a blended (hybrid) format. The workshop is one of many planned activities in which MERLOT and its partner TLT are cooperating. The first of the three part series begins April 5th and runs from 3:00 to 4:00 pm EST. Other session are April 12th and April 19th. Ray Purdom, Editor of MERLOT’s Teaching and Technology discipline, will coordinate the series and conduct the workshops with members of the TLT Board and other MERLOT discipline boards. For more information and to register visit http://www.tltgroup.org/OLI/Schedule.htm. For information regarding other TLT events click on http://www.tltgroup.org/Events/EventsCalendar/Chronological%20View.htm 2. TLT Group Presents On-Line Events The Teaching, Learning, and Technology Group (http://www.tltgroup.org/) strives to motivate and enable institutions and individuals to improve teaching and learning with technology, while helping them cope with continual change. For a list of scheduled events, go to http://www.tltgroup.org/OLI/Schedule.htm.

African SchoolNet Toolkit Education systems are under the spotlight worldwide today. Many countries are grappling with significant development challenges, such as meeting UNESCO’s “Education for All” goals, as well as other social objectives. The information age is creating economic pressure for countries to develop into knowledge societies in order to become or remain internationally competitive in a global economy. The Toolkit is designed to help education planners and practitioners integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into education systems. African_SchoolNet_Toolkit_-_I_01.pdf African_SchoolNet_Toolkit_-_II_01.pdf

Making the language lab available to the ESL students just seemed a natural extension of the foreign-language program, several school educators said. "It's just such an important tool to get the kids speaking and listening," Preisel said. "You get more in one session here than in an entire year" in just a classroom. For the non-English speakers, the chance to go through exercises slowly, to be able to repeat words and phrases, to hear themselves speak in English and to do so under teacher supervision seemed a perfect match with the lab's purpose, Moshi said. "It wakes the kids up. It's still English, but it gets their interest. I think it's a great motivational tool," he said. "A lot of the ESL kids aren't computer-literate, so there's an added benefit — it's an introduction to computer literacy."

HIGH TECH: 21st century classroom on the horizon Pupils have say in their future - by John Thorne in Mid Devon Gazette - 6/11/01 Primary school pupils have been given the opportunity to say what they think a high-tech 21st century classroom should contain. The pupils took part in a technology day at Chulmleigh Community College, which has been chosen as the site for a pioneering classroom of the future project, along with Witheridge and Winkleigh primary schools. Devon County Council has been awarded £900,000 by the Department for Education and Skills for the innovative scheme. It aims to help boost learning opportunities for children and adults in rural communities. Devon is one of 12 local authorities selected following an invitation by the Government to councils to come up with plans for a classroom of the future. Each of the three schools would be equipped with the latest computers, audio and video technology. This would allow pupils and adult learners to benefit from video links with experts at three of Devon's technology colleges, including Queen Elizabeth's at Crediton. They would be able to take lessons or give lectures without moving from their home base. The idea is to provide greater learning opportunities for people living in rural areas and help to cut down social exclusion in isolated communities.