e-Taalim

The GAID* has published on July 2009 a whitepaper entitled: “Information Communication & Technology (ICT) in Education for Development ». In this paper, the researchers highlighted the fact that ICT can be an extremely powerful enabler in efforts to bring positive and sustainable development to countries around the globe including education.
One way of ensuring equitable development targeted at the very poorest is through universal social protection, including education, health and income. This paper aims to explain the current state of how ICT is being used in education and how it can better benefit current and future users.
While there is agreement that ICT can be a powerful tool for advancing education efforts going forward, the challenge we face today is turning the potential of Information and Communication Technologies for Education (ICTE) into reality with results.
This is a tremendous challenge, compounded by the realistic fears that if not used properly, ICT can increase existing social and economic inequalities, particularly if access and use of ICTE is not equally available to everyone. Implementation of ICTE must be case specific and locally driven, or the development community may risk further isolating impoverished populations rather than promoting inclusion and social advancement. In addition to the dangers of further isolating already marginalized groups, evidence from ongoing projects around the world reveal that effective implementation of ICTE initiatives is extremely challenging. Imagine a remote village in Sub-Saharan Africa and some of the potential challenges to overcome when introducing ICTE to those living there. Is there adequate government support and funding for the projects? Is there infrastructure and connectivity for computers in the schools?
Have the teachers ever used computers before and are they willing to adopt their teaching styles to do so?
These are only a few of the many questions one would face when attempting to bring ICTE to areas that may not be as familiar with the concept.

You may download the full text of the whitepaper here.

*The GAID is an initiative approved by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2006, was launched after comprehensive worldwide consultations with governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical and Internet communities and academia to promote policy dialogue and multistakeholder partnerships for action for the use of ICT for advancing the MDGs.