Educators, school execs hold ICT confab in Clark

CLARK FIELDS, Pampanga - At least 300 university presidents and educators will meet here starting Wednesday to discuss the use of technology in education. Sponsored by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, the meeting will discuss ICT Integration in Basic Education, as well as showcase "existing, mature, and available educational resources." In a statement released to the media, the CICT said the meeting aims to encourage local leaders and implementers "to adopt appropriate approaches toward the effective use of ICT in teaching and learning." "It is also expected to serve as a venue for CICT and other education leaders to consider and discuss possibilities for future collaboration and cooperation in the area of ICT and basic education," the CICT statement said. An exhibit of available digital educational content will be set up during the event. The e-learning materials of CICT’s eSkwela Project, recipient of a Certificate of Commendation from UNESCO ICT in Education Innovation Awards 2007-2008, will be demonstrated along with various eSkills and educational materials from CICT partners. The exhibit will be open to the public from April 9 to 11, 2008 from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. To date, the iSchools Project has 360 beneficiary public high schools nationwide, the CICT said. The project provided each iSchool a wireless Internet laboratory that includes 21 multimedia computers, a projector, a printer, and two airconditioning units. To ensure appropriate use of these laboratories, school heads and teachers have undergone a series of ICT-based training workshops on the proper use of ICT integration in teaching and learning. A number of process-based activities focusing on social preparation and regular monitoring and evaluation activities were conducted to ensure project sustainability, the CICT said. - GMANews.TV