PROPOSED ICT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT FOR MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

PROPOSED ICT IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT FOR MINISTRY OF EDUCATIONContents CoverIntroductionProject DescriptionPurpose &ObjectivesPilot ProjectsCostOnline EducationEvaluationconclusion

IntroductionThe following ten project descriptions reflect different potential outcomes of the recommended ICT Policy for the Maldives Education. If some or all are undertaken, they will give practical expression to the principles contained in the ICT Policy and thereby accelerate the process of economic and social development of the Maldives in the Information Age. The descriptions are clearly not thoroughly worked out project plans. In one way or another, however, they are strong project ideas that have emerged from discussions with the role-players who have participated with us in the ICT Policy Study. Project Description

Place: Maldives, all the atolls of MaldivesKey areas are capital of Each atoll

Purpose

Purpose of this project to Enhance the Educational sector of the MaldivesImplementing ICT to Educational SectorDeveloping IT skills of TeachersCreate better environment for studentsObjectivesCAPABILITY BUILDING:To assist the users in understanding and utilizing the full range of information services that will be made available and to foster the acquisition of skills necessary for independent learningTo provide the University Executive with ICT market intelligence to support good decision making on service development and further capital investmentTo prioritize and plan appropriate staff development and recruitment to respond to changes in service provision and delivery.To define processes that will assure ME that the technology being adopted is secure, flexible and scalable, managed effectively and fit for purpose. To support MNU in attracting, developing and retaining competent technical staff.

ObjectivesCOST-EFFECTIVENESS & VALUE-ADD:To deliver flexible and responsive technical support services fit for MEs developing University Campus.To report back to MEs community of users, using agreed performance criteria in order to monitor service quality.To use a balanced and consistent approach through an agreed project management framework in order to ensure a successful outcomeTo establish formal engagement with users through bespoke support agreements.To develop and maintain all service standards at the highest possible levels, with emphasis on quality, customer care and cost-effectiveness using available resources.

Pilot Projects

Pilot Project Idea for ICT Sector DevelopmentFramework(s)SupportedNational ICT Plans and StrategiesPolicy FrameworkNational Structures for ICT Policy Formulation and ImplementationPolicy FrameworkLegislative Framework for Electronic CommerceLegal Framework, E-Business Environment FrameworkNational Communications BackboneInfrastructure Framework, E-Business Environment FrameworkGovernment On-LineInfrastructure Framework, E-Business Environment FrameworkDeveloping Atolls ICT ClustersE-Business Environment Framework, Infrastructure FrameworkICT for TeachersHuman Capacity FrameworkCost

Online Education

IntroductionELearning has the potential to make an important contribution to reducing educational deprivation, which in turn can aid progress in achieving development goals. The major obstacles to eLearning are connectivity, equipment, software and training of people. The Commonwealth of Learning is leading several initiatives to overcome these obstacles and help bridge the digital divide What is eLearning?The term eLearning came into regular use around 2000. Its precise meaning is not widely understood. The definition of eLearning can be as simple as the delivery of a learning, training or education programs by electronic means, involving the use of a computer or electronic device (Daniel, 2009).

ELearning offers many important advantages:

Anywhere, anytime learning. Learners can pursue their studies at their convenience and are not limited by geography or time constraints. This is of particular benefit to people who face barriers to learning such as living in a remote location, discrimination based on gender or having competing work/home responsibilities.A window to a world of learning. ELearning allows online access to a huge array of resources the libraries and museums of the world, and much more.Faster communication. ELearning speeds up communication. Students benefit from timely feedback, and electronic submission of assignments eliminates delays in transmission.

Measuring Effectiveness of eLearning: the four 'A's

Access to a global intellectual commons. A rapidly expanding array of open educational resources (OERs) is available online as people contribute eLearning materials to online repositories. These materials can be freely used and adapted, resulting in time and cost savings.Measuring Effectiveness of eLearning: the four 'A'sBy combining connectivity with shared courseware into a new business model we could increase access to education massively. What is required for this to happen? For eLearning to succeed, it must be accessible, appropriate, accredited and affordable.

ELearning offers many important advantages:Is it Accessible?For eLearning to have any impact it must be accessible to the learner. In extending eLearning to developing countries, the first priority is to provide ready Internet connectivity. The second imperative is to make OERs more accessible and to expand their numbers.Is it Appropriate?Once eLearning is accessible, is what it offers appropriate? Does it help to address the key challenges facing higher education in the country? Does the content fit learners' needs and does it respect their cultural context? Few subjects and delivery methods are universally appropriate. However, OERs allow learning materials to be made appropriate by local adaptation and translation and there is a growing skill base among educators to do this.

EvaluationEvaluation Each Pilot Project Getting information from necessary areasCompare those informationFinalizing collected informationIf necessary changes / add those to projectconclusion

Executing a large-scale deployment of ICT solutions can be very challenging, but at the same time can yield impressive results for any country by affecting positive change in education Nationwide in a very short period of time. Most of the mistakes made at the planning stage of these large-scale deployments can be avoided by first gathering real-world information from a Pilot. But in order to do so, the pilot has to be planned and the information gathering has to be organized and validated with a string M&E Plan. I sincerely hope that this practical guide can help you in planning for both the pilot and the Large-scale deployment. We welcome your feedback.

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