Intel, Unesco to develop guidelines for worlwide teacher technology training
Announcement posted by Intel 11 Nov 2004
Intel Corporation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) agreed today to collaborate on the development of a model curriculum or syllabus to improve the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the classroom.
"Cooperation with the private sector is indispensable if we are to bridge the digital divide, said Kochiro Matsuura, director-general of UNESCO at the memorandum of understanding signing. We particularly welcome the opportunity to share know-how and experience with Intel, a leader in IT training for teachers in so many countries. This work is at the core of our mission in the fields of education and communication; it was also endorsed by the international community at last years World Summit on the Information Society which also recognised the role of the private sector in the intergovernmental drive to develop inclusive knowledge societies all over the world.
The memorandum stipulates that UNESCO and Intel will work together on a multistakeholder initiative to set standards to improve the quality of ICT teacher training programs. To this end, UNESCO, in cooperation with Intel, will develop a syllabus which sets the standards of ICT knowledge and skills in this area. The syllabus could then be used to design training content that would be delivered to teachers in a multitude of ways, by different providers. Both organisations will also collaborate on the development of a mechanism by which course providers, educational policy-makers and teachers can refer to the syllabus to ascertain that course content and training programs meet the requisite standard.
UNESCO chose to work with Intel because of Intels extensive experience training teachers on the use of technology and on helping them to integrate the technology into lesson plans. Through the Intel Teach to the Future program, Intel has trained two million teachers around the world.
The challenge is to find the best use of technology for improving the quality of teaching and learning, while introducing a high degree of flexibility to respond to regional needs, said Wendy Hawkins, Intel director of education. Intel will work with UNESCO to meet this challenge and todevelop a syllabus that is suitable for use by countries and organisations worldwide. This syllabus will allow more teachers to receive training and ultimately will provide more students with the skills and desire to harness technology to solve complex problems.
Intels work with UNESCO is part of the Intel Innovation in Education initiative, a sustained commitment - in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide - to help todays students prepare for the demands of tomorrow. Intel is focused on helping to integrate technology effectively into the education process and to helping improve science, mathematics, engineering and technology education. For more information visit www.intel.com/education
About UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is a specialised UN agency, founded in 1945, to promote peace through international solidarity in education, science (both social and natural), culture and communication. Its mandate is to favour the exchange of information, ideas and best practices and to serve as a laboratory of ideas and as a standard-setter. Additional information about UNESCO is available at www.unesco.org
About Intel Corporation
Intel, the worlds largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
"Cooperation with the private sector is indispensable if we are to bridge the digital divide, said Kochiro Matsuura, director-general of UNESCO at the memorandum of understanding signing. We particularly welcome the opportunity to share know-how and experience with Intel, a leader in IT training for teachers in so many countries. This work is at the core of our mission in the fields of education and communication; it was also endorsed by the international community at last years World Summit on the Information Society which also recognised the role of the private sector in the intergovernmental drive to develop inclusive knowledge societies all over the world.
The memorandum stipulates that UNESCO and Intel will work together on a multistakeholder initiative to set standards to improve the quality of ICT teacher training programs. To this end, UNESCO, in cooperation with Intel, will develop a syllabus which sets the standards of ICT knowledge and skills in this area. The syllabus could then be used to design training content that would be delivered to teachers in a multitude of ways, by different providers. Both organisations will also collaborate on the development of a mechanism by which course providers, educational policy-makers and teachers can refer to the syllabus to ascertain that course content and training programs meet the requisite standard.
UNESCO chose to work with Intel because of Intels extensive experience training teachers on the use of technology and on helping them to integrate the technology into lesson plans. Through the Intel Teach to the Future program, Intel has trained two million teachers around the world.
The challenge is to find the best use of technology for improving the quality of teaching and learning, while introducing a high degree of flexibility to respond to regional needs, said Wendy Hawkins, Intel director of education. Intel will work with UNESCO to meet this challenge and todevelop a syllabus that is suitable for use by countries and organisations worldwide. This syllabus will allow more teachers to receive training and ultimately will provide more students with the skills and desire to harness technology to solve complex problems.
Intels work with UNESCO is part of the Intel Innovation in Education initiative, a sustained commitment - in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide - to help todays students prepare for the demands of tomorrow. Intel is focused on helping to integrate technology effectively into the education process and to helping improve science, mathematics, engineering and technology education. For more information visit www.intel.com/education
About UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is a specialised UN agency, founded in 1945, to promote peace through international solidarity in education, science (both social and natural), culture and communication. Its mandate is to favour the exchange of information, ideas and best practices and to serve as a laboratory of ideas and as a standard-setter. Additional information about UNESCO is available at www.unesco.org
About Intel Corporation
Intel, the worlds largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.