the future elearning centre functions in kosovo and analyzes of the elearning centres in the world...

The future eLearning Centre functions in Kosovoand

Analyzes of the eLearning Centres in the worldmr.sc. Sonja Prišćan, Key Expert 2

mr.sc. Zrinka Šimunović, Senior Short Term ExpertSelim Selimi, Local Junior Expert

Pristina, 23. February 2011

Agenda

IntroductionObjectivesWhat have we proposed for future eLearning Centre functions up to nowAnalyzes of similar eLearning Centres in the world - RomaniaSummary and discussion

Introduction – Why we are here? (I)

The future eLearning Center will be the main coordinating centre for the eLearning activities in Kosovo

Working group is established to take ownership in this project by inputs and feedback in:• the process of drafting eLearning Centre Terms of Reference• definition of eLearning Centre functions• organizational structure• model of legal base and operational organization for the

foundation of eLearning Centre.

Introduction of Working Group(II)

1. Who are you?2. What are your expectations of this meeting?3. What does ICT in education and eLearning

mean to you?

What would be the area of WG involvement?

Establishment of the legal base Definition of its functionsDefinitions roles and responsibilitiesMission, vision and strategic objectives.

MEST - to gain the government support to issue and approve this Instruction for establishing eLearning Centre.

What are eLearning Centre objectives? (I)

Probably established at Pristina University, Faculty of Educationto support MEST in building the education system capacities in eLearningby providing training on ICT in education and eLearning to teachers, educational sector staff and management/administrative staffto bring eLearning into the classroom as well as IT technicians to ensure future support to the ICT infrastructure

What are eLearning Centre objectives? (II)

To initiate eContent projects productionsupport end-users through organized help deskmanage administration and maintain the eLearning platformpromote and create space for initiativescooperate in the regional and international leveldefine the priorities for the accreditation of the eLearning curricula schools and other educational intuitions with initiatives related to ICT.

eLearning Centre functions

1. Training2. Functional eLearning Infrastructure3. Support Services4. Administration5. Marketing6. Visibility & Environment

1. Training

To design and implement:1. Teachers, management and administrative staff training programs2. Technical trainings for IT staff3. eContent developers trainings4. Training of Trainers (TtT)5. Developing and providing basic and specialist courses, and

continues development of new programs6. Performing assessment of training needs in one year and for 5

years7. Accreditation System: certification and licensing

2. eLearning Infrastructure (I)

To monitor and coordinate with schools, MEDs and MESTthe suitability of infrastructure for eLearning Centre for:

physical infrastructure (premises, power supply and the computer network)central hardware equipmenthardware for accesscentral and client software programssustainable maintenance system

2. eLearning Infrastructure (II)

THE QUESTIONNARIES will be prepared for schools and MEDs in order to get their feedback on the ICT equipment condition status and its utilization.ICT EQUIPMET STATUS REPORT could be presented to the MEST as foundation for future ICT and eLearning purchasing needs, together with the recommendation for the further development of ICT infrastructure.

3. Support services (I)

SUPPORT CENTRES in the Didactic Centres (DCs) serve as HELP DESK for basic ICT and eLearning support to schools, municipalities and end-users5 DCs: Gjilan (Gnjilane), Prizren (Prizren), Peje (Peć), Gjakova (Đakovica), Ferizaj (Uroševac)Central administrative point will be at eLearning Centre to coordinate and monitor quality of support services delivered by DCs.

Support services (II)

through web-sitethrough trainings, workshops, panel and round tables conducted by DC employees through e-mail, telephone and direct contact.

Support services (III)

Organization of HELP DESK depends on number of:institutions connectednetwork equipment maintainedend-users who needs support for:• Learning Management System (LMS)• web portal• repository which will provide the content and

information for the whole community

3. Support Services (IV)

Maintaining eLearning tools (reporting/monitoring)Supporting local teachers, parents and principal groups (present in school meetings...)Consultations how effectively use technology in teaching (questionnaires)Developing guidelines, manuals and case studies (e.g. Access to the central DB for assessment and marking results)Development and coordination of eCONTENT projectsSupport Curriculum development projects (MEST)Integration of instructional technology into teaching and learningCoordination of projects with multimedia companies

4. Administration

Management, administration and maintenance of eLearning PlatformMonitoring, administration and maintenance of Educational Web PortalMonitoring of schools WebPagesAccreditation and reviewing of eContent according to curricula (by Open Peer Review...)Prioritizations of levels and subjects to accredit curricula Aligning with EU Interoperability Standards:

• Ensuring sustainability• Continuous financing

5. Marketing

Promoting of eLearning use through advertisement and information of the wider publicOrganizing and facilitating events, conferences and panel discussionDeveloping and implementing a continuous awareness raising campaignProducing a relevant newslettersMonitoring of the implementation of eLearning Strategy in Kosovo and conducting activities from eLearning Action plan

6. Visibility & Environment

Stimulation of cooperation between educational institutions and ICT training companies (meetings, joint events, joint projects...)Regional and international cooperation in the field of eLearning (international eLearning conferences and fairs...)Society Awareness – going to institutionsPromoting eLearning advantages and opportunities through media (leaflets, brochures, posters, billboards, medial adverts, video clips and media campaigns, seminars, round tables, workshops)

The survey of the similar eLearning Centres in the world

7 Case studies (web based): Philipines, Vietnam, Kenya, Finland, Italy, Romania and BulgariaCriteria analized:

• Objectives• Demographics• Operation• Support model• The approach to Budget Management• Community • Efforts for Sustainability• Areas of Concern and Recommendations

eLearning in Romania: SEI program (Sistem Educational Informatizat - Education IT-Based System)

Objectives - Enhancing education with new ICTs was stated in 1998 by the Ministry of Education and Research as a priority, and concrete actions were taken beginning 2001:

• The social and political commitment (harmonization within EU framework principles, objectives and actions),

• The e-readiness objectives • The education process efficiency development.• Establish a high level of interactivity• Direct, personal experimentation of phenomena and scientific theories

by learners


Demographics - 4.780 IT labs, each comprising a network of 15 to 25 computers have been delivered and configured (a total figure of 78.000 computers). 65.000 pre-university teachers were trained until 2006. 1.674 multimedia lessons for 10 curriculum subjects were elaborated considering rigorous pedagogical principles.


Operation - Several parts of the programme have been run since 2001 – equipping schools with IT labs; developing educational software and eContent; training human resources; connecting education institutions to the Internet and continuous technical support


Support model - Within the SEI program some additional projects were also developed, such as: • the national computerized evaluation of text-books

(EvalMan); • high-school computerized admission (ADLIC); • IT support for the national examination for teaching

positions in all Romanian schools; • the development of a SEI education portal.


The approach to Budget Management - The program was approved in early 2001 by the Information Technology Promotion Group – a task force integrated by several ministries and presided by the Romanian Prime Minister – with an initial estimated budget of 200 mil. USD.Community - It is implemented in partnership by the state administration and the private sector, the main companies involved being SIVECO Romania, HP Romania, and IBM Romania.


Efforts for Sustainability- the local, regional and country administrations are provided with managerial and administrative support. The IT laboratories (local solutions) are integrated in a logical network comprising all the schools in a county. All Romanian counties are integrated in a national network connected to and coordinated by the SEI management unit located at the Ministry of Education.


Areas of Concern and Recommendations - In order to have the teachers’ support, actions have been taken in several directions, at national and regional level and in each school: mass-media campaigns, training of teachers and administrative personnel, dissemination sessions, seminars and workshops. A very strong emphasis was put on the acceptance of technology as a special tool (considering its power). The main issues identified are:

• Fear for “replacement of the teacher by the computer”• Fear for “the unknown”.

Inputs and feedbackon definition of eLearning Centre functions

1. Anticipation: What is possible? What is exciting to you about this?

2. Assessment:What do you think is the best? How do you feel about it?

3. Clarification: What is the part that is not yet clear? How would you like to be done?

4. Elaboration: What other ideas/thoughts do you have about it?

5. Evaluation: What is the opportunity here? What is the challenge?

6. Summary: What is your conclusion? How does it fit with your plans and values? How do you summarize the effort so far?

Protocol of activities

DateParticipantsWhat, Who, When

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