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Interesting stance from the UK, where the government hopes to raise up the importance of computer science in education, where ICT (information and communication technology) lessons are not up to date with the needs and skills of the 21st century. Kids engaged in ICT classes learn how to use software, and not how software works or how it's created. From the article: "Written by gaming guru Ian Livingstone and visual effects veteran Alex Hope, Next Gen called for programming skills to replace learning about business software in ICT lessons." direct link to the UK Government's response to the 'Next Gen' report: http://www.dcms.gov.uk/publications/8646.aspx

Youth at Risk makes the sobering point in its findings that 'ICT driven initiatives targeting YAR are taking place but there is little systematic and in-depth information about them. Knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders involved in YAR is still too limited (p. 29)'. Further, Youth at Risk states, 'There is evidence that ICT-driven initiatives can foster the reengagement of YAR in a variety of dimensions (education, vocational training, job searching, social engagement) by using ICT in their back-office activities and in their interaction with YAR (p. 29)'.

A look at ICT in Education in 11 countries highlighting national programs in the field.

"We used to look in wonder at the areas in which ICT were used to boost productivity. Today we wonder how the economy, technology and society could have done without ICT".

Brings up the interesting issue of physical space in 21st century classrooms. Should schools of the future look like the way they do now (ie. desks and chairs, albeit with iPads/laptops atop desks)? How can we match the shift in pedagogical thinking with what our physical spaces of classrooms look like? On a related note, a colleague at an international school in Mumbai showed me around their new K-12 school recently (K-12 1:1 laptop program, phenomenal tech integration program)... and they no longer have walls to demarcate classrooms across the entire school. Instead of classrooms, they have "learning pods." So, imagine you're a third grade teacher--you have four slidable "walls" that you can open up to collaborate with the adjacent third grade section for social studies. Or perhaps you notice that the fifth grade science experiment seems to align with what you're doing today so you walk over to see if they'd be up for sharing what they're doing. Their idea is that the physical space needs to reflect the same environment of open education and collaborative learning that we're promoting in our classrooms.

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing emphasis on girls and information and communication technology in the development sector. Large government donors, NGOs and the private sector believe girls could play a big role in resolving poverty and making development gains through ICT.

27min- on ICT stuff, 40min- by Prof Kim at HBS is also relevant. Q&A had lot to do with scaling and technology have been mentioned

I wonder if it's good to have large corporations like Microsoft giving awards to teachers. I have no reason to doubt Julia Breen's work but Microsoft is not in the teaching business. I can't see teacher's giving computer engineers awards for excellent computer engineering.

This article discusses one school's plan to implement effective learning technologies into the classroom. They looked at examples that were working in other parts of the world and incorporated them into their idea which includes many augmented reality applications. They discuss the divide between using technology effectively in our personal lives and not in education, so the classroom remains the same as it has been for 100 years. As we have discussed in class, the education system must use technology in the classroom to help prepare students for jobs that require skills adaptable to technologies that do not yet exist.

A Norwegian center of ICT created a video on how they envision the future of education. 

Article mentions a 10-year $500 million commitment by Microsoft to transform education systems around the world through technology. "The programme will assist teachers, school leaders and students globally on effective ways to use ICT in the classroom environment." But doesn't really give any specifics. Is this money well spent?

This Microsoft Partners in Learning site (http://www.microsoft.com/education/pil/partnersInLearning.aspx) has good info on this great program. Here's a good video I saw there: http://www.microsoft.com/showcase/en/us/details/5672418a-839d-46e5-9b19-7a68d15d4b09 Btw, thanks for this! It is a perfect addition for my team's wiki project :-)

While we are debating e-learning, developing countries are forging ahead, including engaging private sector, setting up long term strategy and policy, and starting Asia e University. "Think of it this way. We are preparing them for jobs that don't yet exist and for technologies that haven't been invented," Policarpio, Philippine Education Dept. official, says. He also compares what we do at Harvard stating that there is a big difference in accessing resources vs. e-learning., "For example, Harvard and Yale have an online portal for learning-a place where they can share their lectures and reports online. But those are just resources anyone can access. e-learning goes beyond that. It melds all kinds of academic activities with ICT (Information and Communication Technology)."

UNESCO recommendations on mobile use policies in education. This is from a global perspective on using mobile technologies in the classroom. There is a link to the actual UNESCO policy draft.

Here's a link to a series of paper UNESCO has on Mobile Learning. The nice thing is that it even breaks Mobile Learning down intro different regions. It also looks at different initiatives from a policy perspective, and by looking at what can be done to support teachers/improve practice. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/icts/m4ed/mobile-learning-resources/unescomobilelearningseries/

I agree, great article about forthcoming UNESCO mobile learning policies and this exciting new educational area.

It's interesting to compare the conversations around ICT and education throughout the world.

A comment on how to approach bringing educational technology to developing countries

Is textbook dead? In the Networked Society Forum (NEST Forum), leaders and authorities discuss how Technology could be utilized to accelerate education and learning for everyone, everywhere. Hole-in-the-wall founder Dr. Mitra speaks of minimally invasive education (MIE), global rise in online education, among others.

Teachers TV | Free education videos and resources for professional development

Describes a group looking at the role of technology in both formal and informal educational settings.