National support for a local IT-development within the educational sector Cainet 2000, Cairo, March 2000 Johan GROTH, Ph.D. (johan.groth@gogab.se)

IT implies changes Analogue vs. digital information Stand alone computers vs. networks Local vs. global Information consumer vs. producer Text only vs. multimedia Issues vs. concurrent publication

Analogue vs. digital information

Stand alone computers vs. networks

Local vs. global

Information consumer vs. producer

Text only vs. multimedia

Issues vs. concurrent publication

The Swedish educational system The Swedish school system consists of 1.2 million pupils, 120,000 teachers and 6000 schools About 20 universities It is goal oriented and decentralized The government sets goals, disseminates information and may support for projects

The Swedish school system consists of 1.2 million pupils, 120,000 teachers and 6000 schools

About 20 universities

It is goal oriented and decentralized

The government sets goals, disseminates information and may support for projects

National IT initiatives The Swedish University Network (SUNET) The IT-commission The National Agency for Education The National Agency for Higher Education The Foundation for Knowledge and Competence IT in School (ITiS)

The Swedish University Network (SUNET)

The IT-commission

The National Agency for Education

The National Agency for Higher Education

The Foundation for Knowledge and Competence

IT in School (ITiS)

Results at a glance A rapid development of infrastructure 85% of all K9-schools use Internet 90% of all high schools use Internet All universities use Internet Most museums and libraries use Internet Lively pedagogical discussion IT and education is a "hot" topic in media

A rapid development of infrastructure

85% of all K9-schools use Internet

90% of all high schools use Internet

All universities use Internet

Most museums and libraries use Internet

Lively pedagogical discussion

IT and education is a "hot" topic in media

The Swedish Schoolnet On and off line activities to spreads knowledge and information about Internet and education to teachers, school leaders, decision makers, pupils and parents Acts as a catalyst to create new content An "information broker" for organizations, companies, museums, government bodies etc.

On and off line activities to spreads knowledge and information about Internet and education to teachers, school leaders, decision makers, pupils and parents

Acts as a catalyst to create new content

An "information broker" for organizations, companies, museums, government bodies etc.

Project philosophy Show possibilities and give advice Teacher empowerment is a basis for school development Support local work of teachers and pupils Support learning by doing Provide forums, services, tools etc. ” Ultimate vision": school as "the center of the village"

Show possibilities and give advice

Teacher empowerment is a basis for school development

Support local work of teachers and pupils

Support learning by doing

Provide forums, services, tools etc.

” Ultimate vision": school as "the center of the village"

Some conclusions New "doors" are opened Subjects change and merge Less common teaching material New resources available, simple and cheap Processes rather than results Growing ethical discussion Parallel changes (buildings, pedagogy etc.) Dependency on an a technical infrastructure

New "doors" are opened

Subjects change and merge

Less common teaching material

New resources available, simple and cheap

Processes rather than results

Growing ethical discussion

Parallel changes (buildings, pedagogy etc.)

Dependency on an a technical infrastructure

Competing factors Speed Acceptance Scalability NOTE! You may only select two!

Speed

Acceptance

Scalability

NOTE! You may only select two!

Different approaches to introducing IT Speed + acceptance = ad hoc approach to introducing IT Speed + scalability = material approach to introducing IT Acceptance + scalability = content driven approach to introducing IT

Speed + acceptance = ad hoc approach to introducing IT

Speed + scalability = material approach to introducing IT

Acceptance + scalability = content driven approach to introducing IT

The role of industry Share knowledge rather than distributing hardware School is a special market, develop new products and services Participate in joint projects

Share knowledge rather than distributing hardware

School is a special market, develop new products and services

Participate in joint projects

Summary "Content pull" gives a solid IT development Focus on possibilities gives a widespread acceptance among educators and parents Many local initiatives combine into major changes given an appropriate national framework New technology must be accompanied by changes in organization and administration

"Content pull" gives a solid IT development

Focus on possibilities gives a widespread acceptance among educators and parents

Many local initiatives combine into major changes given an appropriate national framework

New technology must be accompanied by changes in organization and administration

Invitation to discussion If and how do we formulate a national curriculum in the IT-age? What are the advantages/disadvantages of "personal" teaching material? How is the school system to cope with parents or pupils who choose an "external" teacher?

If and how do we formulate a national curriculum in the IT-age?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of "personal" teaching material?

How is the school system to cope with parents or pupils who choose an "external" teacher?

Invitation to discussion Soon Internet is a critical infrastructure. What happens when the net is down? Internet makes it possible for teachers to communicate on a daily basis with parents. What is the implications of this? In a totally distributed school system, how do we evaluate the results? Are national criteria even possible?

Soon Internet is a critical infrastructure. What happens when the net is down?

Internet makes it possible for teachers to communicate on a daily basis with parents. What is the implications of this?

In a totally distributed school system, how do we evaluate the results? Are national criteria even possible?

Invitation to discussion How do we assess that computers and IT really deliver? How do we ensure that IT does not create new barriers to open access in education? How do we on a national level help the teachers prepare for this brave new world? What do school politicians on different levels need to know?

How do we assess that computers and IT really deliver?

How do we ensure that IT does not create new barriers to open access in education?

How do we on a national level help the teachers prepare for this brave new world?

What do school politicians on different levels need to know?