An International Forum for Technology Integration in Teacher Education.

Intel Teach Program makes consistent efforts to develop relationships with the stakeholders in education. It is this partnership with the education stakeholders that has contributed largely to the success of the program globally. Having made its mark in providing professional development to teachers and teacher educators, and helping educational institutions transform the learning cultures, the program seeks to impact educational policies to include and integrate ICT in teaching / learning processes. To make a new effort in this direction, the South Asia Intel Teach Program Forum was organized at Colombo, Sri Lanka on 17th and 18th December 2007.

The Forum provided opportunities to the stakeholders from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan to discuss policy and its implementation. The objective of the Meet was to bring Teacher Education Policy Makers and Educational Leaders from South Asian countries together on a common platform to help build synergy between in-service and pre-service professional development initiatives, share Best Known Methods and learn from other countries. Various government officials, policy makers, bureaucrats, University Vice Chancellor, Deans of University Faculties, and College Heads participated in the two-day meet. Chief among them were

India:

  • Dr. K. Rama, Deputy Adviser, National Assessment and Accreditation Council
  • Prof. Louis Vernal, Dean, Faculty of Education, Goa University.
  • Prof. Mohd. Ahktar Siddiqui, Dean, Faculty of Education, Jamia Millia Islamia,
  • Prof. Ramesh Ghanta, Dean, Faculty of Education, Kaktiya University.
  • Prof. S Sonawane, Dean, Faculty of Education, Pune University.
  • Prof. TKS Lakshmi, Former Dean, Faculty of Education, Banasthali Vidyapeeth.
  • Dr. Veera Gupta, Associate Professor, National University of Educational Planning & Administration
Sri Lanka:
  • Mr. Nihal Herath, Education Specialist, Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP), Ministry of Education.
  • Mr. Mohamed Thamby, Chief Commissioner, Teacher Education, Ministry of Education
  • Mr. H. Jayasinghe, Director, Department of IT, National Institute of Education (NIE).
  • Mr. Wilfred Perera, Assistant Director General, Education Leadership Development and Teacher Education, National Institute of Education (NIE).
  • (SEMP), Ministry of Education.
  • Dr. Shironica Karunanayaka, Head, Department of Teacher Education, Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL)
Pakistan:
  • Dr. Mazharul Haq, Vice Chancellor, University of Sindh, Karachi.
  • Dr. Muhammad Ayub, Directorate of Staff Development, Lahore.
  • Mr. Fida Hussain, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad.

The presentations and discussions in the forum revolved around the broad theme of developing teachers for the Knowledge Society, who can integrate technology in Education and instill 21st Century skills in their students. The sessions were on teacher education curriculum, policy issues, research in technology integration and convergence between in-service and pre-service. While discussing these themes, the participants were concerned about the challenges specific to South Asian scenario and how to overcome them.

It was realized that while the scenario remains similar and challenges are common, each country needs inputs at the top level – in terms of policy; at the grassroots level – in educational institutions and among individual practitioners and researchers; and also at inter-sectoral level – strengthening the relationship between pre-service and in-service. Research was seen as the key strategy to build the proof of impact of technology integration and to develop pedagogic practices and theoretical insights for integration of technology in the teaching / learning processes.

Discussions in Progress
 
On the whole, the Forum was a common platform that helped strengthen the relations between the participating countries. Collaborations were formed; some experts got invitations to visit the other countries. All the participants said that they were taking back huge learnings from this Forum. The collaborations initiated in the Forum would be taken forward through online initiatives. The delegates of the Forum would continue their interaction and encourage exchange programs between these countries. They would also attempt to develop a common policy framework for ICT in Education in South Asia.