1. School Networks in Asia
Fengchun MIAO
ICT in Education Unit
UNESCO Bangkok
Partnership and
School Networks in Asia
Lessons Learned from UNESCO SchoolNet and other ICT in Education Projects

2. Education is at a crossroads…
Emerging science and innovation (ICT literacy and 21st century skills)
Tertiary education and life-long learning
Pedagogy
Exams
Content
Media
Traditional knowledge and skills
Education for All (EFA)

3. ICT in education policymakers are often at a impasse…
Workplace needs
Vendors’ drive
Technologies & solutions
Knowledge society &
productivity outputs
Twisted and distorted ?
Content inputs & HR supply
Funds & ideas
Donors’ temptation
Political demands

4. Looking forwards: Vision of ICT in education
ICT for social equity: ICT-enhanced EFA
ICT-related human resources development in the context of the knowledge economy
ICT empowered critical thinkers
New skills - Information Literates and ICT savvies
ICT innovators - ownership of intellectual property of ICT
Legal and responsible digital citizens ?

5. Looking backwards: The Digital divide
ICTs natives: Students in the most favoured countries
ICTs immigrants: Educators and teachers in developing countries
ICT-alienated groups: Under-served children who are alienated from ICTs, online knowledge and online communities

6. - Koïchiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO
Looking around:
Digital Divide and Knowledge Divide
“There has been much reference to the digital divide, which is a reality. But a still more disturbing factor is that the knowledge divide between the most favoured and the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, is liable to widen...”
- Koïchiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO

7. Essential focus areas for ICT in education programming
Education Policy
Training of Teachers
Teaching and Learning
Non-Formal Education
Monitoring & Measuring Change
Research & Knowledge Sharing
ICT in HE
ICT as a Subject Area

8. Assist member states in harnessing
Overall Goal
of ICT in Education Programme UNESCO
Assist member states in harnessing
the potential of ICT towards achieving quality education for all
in the Asia-Pacific region

9. – but underestimate the impact when reviewing its actual performance
Define ICTs in Education
When previewing the potential of ICT for education we often overhype its promise
– but underestimate the impact when reviewing its actual performance

10. ICT in education is Define ICTs in Education
not only computer and Internet ...
ICT: all technology which can transmit, store, create, share or exchange information.
ICT include: radio, television, video, DVD, telephone, satellite systems, computer and Internet
 ICT as a delivery medium for EFA

11. Define the potential of ICTs for education
ICT for education, is not only for information presentation, Computer and other digital equipment
enable access to sensory information enhance the richness of learning stimuli
visualize extra-sensory information: for disabled groups; for observation and understanding
facilitate high-level knowledge construction
personalize the learning process

12. Pyramid of information processing for the productive and tailored learning process
Wisdom:
Deeper
experience
Knowledge:
Facts and effects
The information delivery media and organization methodology
The purpose and the designed activities of using information
Information:
Interpreted data
Data:
Figures, letters, and other signs
Bits and bytes:
Strings of ones and zeros
Information is ubiquitous,
its value depends on for what and how human uses it

13. Define the potential of ICTs for education
ICT - Internet and other communication technologies are not only for personal fun, Internet can act:
As a knowledge database: A pathway to real-world experience and encyclopaedia of global knowledge
As a searching engine: A meaningful searching and researching tool of learning information
As an online community: A portal for social construction and collaborative creation
 ICT as a pedagogy-enabling tool

14. Define the potential of ICTs for education
ICT: as a cost-effective management tool to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of learning management and education administration
ICT-supported educational statistics, assessment, and administration
Learning Management System
EMIS - A scalable continuum
 As a education management tool

15. The potentials of ICTs for education: UNESCO’s Recognition
As a delivery medium for EFA
As a pedagogy-enabling tool
Within overall
education system
for the education priorities
As a edu. management tool
As a subject for ICT literacy

16. High-quality life & learning for students
Onion Model of ICT in education programming
ICT in education programming is like to peel an onion, one layer after another while under systematic planning, and sometimes with tears...
Infrastructure improvement; hardware, software, and resources procurement & refurnishing
National policy & master plans, ICT standards, management mechanism, and monitoring indicators
Partnerships and resources mobilization: public & private; upfront and sustainable; formal & non-formal
Capacity building: planners & administrators, researching or training institutions, teacher educators & teachers,
Education practices: classrooms, families, communities; fix/flexible time & space
High-quality life & learning for students

17. ICT in Education Projects of UNESCO Bangkok
ICT in Education Policy Project (Toolkit-JFIT, World Bank Institute)
ICT-in-Education Indicators (UIS)
ICT in Teacher Training (11 countries)
Next Generation of Teachers Project (Microsoft, Cisco System)
UNESCO SchoolNet (8 ASEAN countries)
ICT in Non-Formal Education (APEAL)
ClearingHouse project (JFIT Regular budget)
Innovative Practices Project (long-term partners?)
Capacity Building Project (modules) (JFIT ADB)
ICT for Literacy Education (RDF  JFIT)
ICT for Higher Education (JFIT )

18. Strengthening ICT in Schools and SchoolNet Project in ASEAN Setting
UNESCO SchoolNet Project
Strengthening ICT in Schools and SchoolNet Project in ASEAN Setting
 UNESCO SchoolNet

19. Strengthening ICT in Schools and SchoolNet in ASEAN Setting
24 pilot schools in eight (8) ASEAN countries categorized in to two development levels:
>>CMLV: Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam
>>IMTP: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand
Target groups: In-service teachers
Focus areas: Three major subjects
>> English, Mathematics, and Science

20. Objectives
To explore and demonstrate innovative models of ICT use in schools – ICT-based lessons plans.
To encourage better ICT-based teaching and materials development – resources and software.
To improve connectivity and access to online educational resources, and to encourage sharing of resources – national and regional websites.

21. Main Activities
1. Establishment of Regional SchoolNet - Bridges to Learning: A Pilot Telecollaboration Initiative of the ASEAN SchoolNet Project
Regional training course of website managers, teachers and Schoolnet technical personel (28 March - 1 April 2005)
Regional workshop on the creation of national and regional Schoolnet (4 to 6 April 2005) 
Training Workshop for Facilitating Tele collaboration and Evaluation Activities (12 to 16 December 2005)

22. Main Activities
2. Training workshops for national coordinators, teachers and SchoolNet managers
ICT-based Lesson and Material-Development Workshop ( July 2004) 
Training on the Use of ICT in Teaching Mathematics, Science, and Languages for Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand (24 Nov-3 Dec 2004) for Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam (4 Nov-13 Nov 2004)
National Follow-up Workshops on Strengthening ICT use in Schools and SchoolNet

23. 3. Development and provision of materials
Main Activities
3. Development and provision of materials
SchoolNet toolkit: a detailed “recipe book” for all kinds of practitioners
Two editions of resources CD-ROMs of learning materials for English, Mathematics, and Science
Supporting catalogue for teachers

24. 4. Country-level technical assistance
Main Activities
4. Country-level technical assistance
Technical assistance on use of the school network
Help compile existing materials, adapt and/or develop additional lessons
In-depth interview with head-teachers; On-site observation of classrooms and face-to-face analysis with teachers on ICT-based lessons

25. 5. Seeking supports from policy makers
Main Activities
5. Seeking supports from policy makers
South East Asian ICT Advocacy and Planning Workshop for Policy Makers and National ICT Coordinators (15 December 2003)
Sub-Regional Meeting of National ICT Coordinators on Project Planning and Management (16 to 18 December 2003)

26. Main Activities
6. Documentation and sharing of the lessons learned
Three editions of Lessons Learned
Sharing Lessons Learned Workshop (26 to 28 June 2006)

27. Achievements and Resources Available
SchoolNet Toolkit for policy/decision-makers, school managers, practitioners, teachers and principals on the integration of ICT into schools
Resources on Science, Mathematics and Language: Directory, Multimedia resources, & Open Source Software (and ScholNet lesson plans )
Three editions of Lessons Learned
Case studies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and the Ro Korea
Report on Telecollaboration: "Bridges to Learning" initiative and the "Learning Circles" activities
Evaluation Framework for SchoolNet

28. Lessons learned from UNESCO SchoolNet
Missing local ownership – Externally driven by the overhype of the un-suitable ICTs
Mis-ownership – No direct target on students
Unnecessary tele-collaboration for traditional teaching and learning activities - Mismatching between pedagogy and content
No sustainability - Lack of institutionalization on content and pedagogy reform

29. E-Readiness of and appropriate ICTs for least developed countries:
Local ownership
E-Readiness of and appropriate ICTs for least developed countries:
Starting from a hype that ICT can help build a super power, instead of a diagnostic study on education problems currently facing the weak countries and a prescription on what and how ICT can help or heal.
What sort of ICTs for what sort of education?
What sort for education for what sort of life?

30. what sort of education for what SORT of life?
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
Pakistan (Hit by an earthquake at 10 Oct., 2005)
what sort of education
for what SORT of life?

31. for what SORT of education?
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
Pakistan …
what sort of ICTS
for what SORT of education?

32. what sort of education for what SORT of life?
Vientiane LAO PDR
what sort of education
for what SORT of life?

33. for what SORT of education?
Vientiane, LAO PDR
what sort of ICTS
for what SORT of education?

34. And we have to “take the side of the downtrodden and disadvantaged”
What sort of education for what sort of SOCIETY?
“the right type of education for the right type of society, the sort of just, peaceful, sustainable, adaptable society without poverty” Nicholas Burnett, ADG/ED of UNESCO

35. Shall you decide to “take the side of the downtrodden and disadvantaged” ? How?
A digital cameral enable project-based learning? An internet café to bridge students?

36. Who own the tele-collaboration - Youths are internet natives and online space landlords
What are the driving forces underlying the online (learning) activities?
Academic achievement driven: one-way knowledge searching or self-directed leaning
Excellence driven: Project-based collaboration (higher order thinking)
Interest driven: Peer/group-based learning on creative writing, video editing, inter-cultural understanding, other artistic endeavors
Friendship driven: Extended & always-on emotional connection; internalization of social norms

37. Design and coach the tele-collaboration -Teachers as adult internet hobbyists
In online communities, adults can/should act as:
Initiators and planners: Set learning goals and paths for project based learning, interest groups, and other online collaborations
Senior peers: Peer-coach learning process, foster social skills and illuminate direction
Incentive evaluators: Encourage advancement and recognize achievement based on flexible and diversified benchmarks

38. Institutionalization - The sustainable local ownership
Education institutions need to keep pace with the rapid changes introduced by the new forms of learning activities: peer/group-based, self- directed, usually project-based online learning and tele-collaboration
National curriculum: Learning content restructure or harmonization
Teacher education institutions: Teacher training curricular reform
Schools: Support innovative practices

39. The First stage of Next-Gen Project for Institutional Capacity Building
Where we are going
International standards
Local social needs
National standards
Individual needs of
students
Dean’s Forums
Curriculum Development Workshops
Curriculum
Leadership
E-readiness
Capacity-Building Workshops for Instructors
Where we are:
Current
situation
Instructors' Capacity

40. The Scaling-up Strategies of Next-Gen Project for Institutionalization
UNESCO Country Offices
National Commissions for UNESCO
Project Management Team
Government Driven Initiatives
Country Project Team
-Responsible Sector
-Country coordinator
- Heads of TEIs
- Team members
UNESCO Initiated Activities
Regional Events
Institution Led
Reforms
Lead Institutions
Dean/Head, curriculum developers, and instructors
TEIs …
Authorized by the MoE
Activities led by
National initiatives led by
UNESCO Bangkok
Implementing Partners
Cisco System, Intel, Microsoft, etc.

41. The main project activities of Next-Gen project for institutionalization
First Regional Meeting
UNESCO Bangkok
First Curriculum Development Workshop
Second Curriculum Development Workshop
Capacity Building Workshops for Instructors (Pre-service teacher educators)
on ICT Skills, ICT-pedagogy integration, and Peer Coaching
Technical assistance and monitoring
Co-ordinated by UNESCO Bangkok, hosted by Lead Countries and Lead Institutions, in cooperation with other Partners
Second Regional Meeting
Innovative Practices of pre-service teachers in designing and practicing pedagogically proper ICT-based lessons
Facilitated by instructors who have received trainings from UNESCO Bangkok
Experience sharing
Resources synergy

42. Award for individuals: Innovative Practice Project of ICT in Education
The Innovative Practices in ICT in Education project was launched in 2007 to identify, document, share and multiply ICT in education innovations through the following activities:
UNESCO ICT in Education Innovation Awards
Training workshops based on the identified innovative practices
Publication and dissemination of
the innovative practices
Case studies of ICT in education
innovations

43. Entries for the ICT in Education Innovation Awards (2007-2008)
Three categories of the Awards:
a) teachers and teacher educators
b) educational planners and administrators, and
c) non-formal educators.
Entries for the ICT in Education Innovation Awards ( )
Categories
Number %
Teachers and teacher educators
100
68.5
Education planners and administrators 27
18.5
Non-formal educators 8
5.5
Others 11
7.5

44. Workshops based on innovative practices
a) teacher and teacher educators
>> Fractured Fairy Tale cum ICT (Online creative reading)
- Sook-Fong Foo, Singapore
>> Student Peer Teaching Strategy
- Debbie Tee-Hwa Tan, SMK Seksyen 5, Malaysia
b) educational planners and administrators
>>One Computer in Multi-grade Classroom- Julito Aligaen, Philippines
>> The Instructional and Curricular Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia (ICeXCELS) -SEAMEO INNOTECH
c) non-formal educators
>> Learning the 3Rs through Discovery, Interaction and Participation for Children of Nomadic Tribes -Muriyankulangara Ananthakrishnan, India

45. Who are the five-star e-Schools?
Award for schools: Second Stage of Innovative Practice Project
Awards of e-Schools
Who are the five-star e-Schools?

46. Learning to …
Learning to do, learning to learn,
learning to be, learning to live together.. .
Learning to change/transform …

47. Enlarging the AEC-NETs Scope: Partnership and School Networks in Asia
I. Redefine “boundary”
“Learning beyond boundaries”
ICT in Education Vision of UNESCO:
“A world without boundaries where technologies support education to build inclusive knowledge societies. ”
Geographic and demographic
Cultural and economic
Physical and psychological
 Non-ASEM half ICT-ready schools – half empty glass

48. Enlarging the AEC-NETs Scope: Partnership and School Networks in Asia
II. Magnification to different e-readiness
III. Diversification for emerging economies
IV. Using multi-lateral and inter-governmental organizations to catalyze bi-lateral cooperation

49. What and how UNESCO can contribute
As a standard setter
Through capacity-building
As a clearing house
Through international cooperation
Mobile phones for literacy education
How many percents of newly-literate population are attributed to ICTs?

50. Website e-Newsletters Print publications CD-ROMs Online Community
For more information: ICT in Education ClearingHouse
Website
e-Newsletters
Print publications
CD-ROMs
Online Community

51. ICT in Education Website
27,000 unique visitors per month on the overall website
Average time spent by visitors increased by over 70% over the past year
Number of pages viewed increased by 50%
No.1 Google page rank

52. ICT in Education e-Newsletter
Over 1200 articles have been published since 2002
The e-Newsletters are sent out every 2-3 weeks to more than 4500 subscribers worldwide
Multiple articles have been redistributed in external newsletters or magazines

53. ICT in Education Publications
Over 30 publications (books and CD- Roms have been produced
From June 2007 to May 2008, publications have been sent out to 403 distinctive recipients
ICT in Education Online Community

54. The systematic think of ICT in education
information publishing and
technology-mediated collaboration
Capacity:
Institutional
& individual
Policy:
Infrastructure
& standards
Learning objects
Outcomes:
Certificates
Life style
& practice
Culture
& values
curriculum and pedagogical learning objects
meaningful inquiry
and life; collaboration
The learner
community
expository-based
and individual
multi-media stimulus
content
pedagogy
Access to information
technology

55. Thank you… fc.miao@unescobkk.org www.unescobkk.org/education/ict