The Ministry also launched the project of providing free e-mail addresses for all the students and teachers in elementary and secondary schools as well as the creation of schools’ websites. All the teachers and students have been given a digital identity, which enables them to use various services, such as online courses that teachers can use in class, E-courses for teachers, E-learning academy, E-library, online quizzes and the distant learning portal (LMS) among others.
In reality, of course, things work in a different way. The majority of my students own a computer with Internet access and are well-versed in at least one form of the new web-based technologies, but sadly, computers come only as a distraction from learning. Only rarely do they use computers for learning.
As for teachers, although most of them are computer literate, they don’t go beyond the basics. Nevertheless, they still want to enhance their teaching with technology, which brings me to the point of the number of studetns who share a computer.
26 computers for 500 students doesn't sound promising at all. Add to this a growing number of "tech-savvy" teachers and what you get is a mad scramble for the two labs. Hence it is that we have a sign up list for the labs, run by the IT teacher on the first come first serve basis. I don’t have to tell you how frequently she is buttonholed by ‘tech savvy’ teachers who want to book a lab before anyone else does. Because the teachers who sign up will never give up their "right", no matter how urgently other teachers need the lab.
This is a photo of one of the labs:
Dear Arjana,
ReplyDeleteI think you are lucky to be a teacher. Your Ministry Of Education provides you many things, e.g., introducing ICDL courses, free e-mail services, online courses for teachers, e-library services ... etc. Actually we have not all of these services, but all the time we help ourselves to bring these things into our classrooms.
Also, I agree with you that the reality is a little bit different from what we plan. But all what I want to say is that look at your students's faces. They are very happy with the experiece of using technology. I'm sure you will do your utmost to make them happy for ever.
Yours,
Azhar
Dear Arjana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post and for sharing the photo! The students seem very happy. :)
You say that the majority of your students use computers as a distraction from learning. I have the same impression with our students. When I visit the library which has a lot of computers where students can work and do research, I see all the students using Facebook. I may say that it looks like Facebook mania!
Yours,
Luiza
Dear Arjana,
ReplyDeleteSchool technology has been a real problem in the pre- and post-reform eras of education in Romania .
Some changes by the Institute for Computers (ITC) have been to project the requirements for producing hardware and software in Romania. In addition, since 1984, the ITC has fostered research on technology in schools that includes the testing of computers used in the schools and developing applications for the classroom. They have also researched and created courses for computing. Finally, there has been ongoing research that is based in schools with respect to integration of computing into the classroom.
In the late 1990s, the Ministry of National Education brought forth a new commitment to technology in Romanian schools in its creation of the Program for the Implementing of Information and Communications Technologies in Pre-University Education (Information and Communication Technology in Romanian Education System 2001). The core highlights of this program are to integrate technology into a national curriculum, train teachers in information and communication technology, provide computer technology to schools, and create partnerships with business and other organizations (e.g., NGOs and charities).
The ministry is succeeding in its mission to give schools, teachers, and students a complete school e learning solution, composed of the latest technologies on the market—Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system, and AeL, advanced e Learning solutions. Students have reacted positively to the new technologies because many, who previously considered learning as work, now think of it as a game. They consider the most important effect of using the ICT for school lessons is a simplified learning process followed closely by easier understanding of the content and the fact that they learn to use the computer better.
Romania - Educational System—overview
Hoping you find the information useful ,
Camelia
Dear Arjana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information about the situation regarding computer literacy in schools in Croatia. In Georgia, we also have computer labs in almost all schools in the cities, and there is a special program covering the regions in this direction.
I want to ask you of a favor,as you seem to be an expert on blogging. Could you tell me how I can upload the pictures on my blog?
Dear colleagues,
ReplyDeleteit is really interesting to hear what our governments are doing to improve computer literacy of our students.
However, I also think that more emphasis should be placed upon teacher training so that teachers are taught how to implement new tools into their teaching in order to know how to disseminate the newly acquired knowledge of the 21st century skills. Only in this way will the teachers be able to prepare their students for the challenges of the new century.
Bella, in order to upload a photo from your computer to your blog you just have to click on the image icon in the editor toolbar and a window will appear with the button Browse. Now you can choose the photo you want to upload, decide where to place it (left, right, center) and that's it. After it's done,the image will appear at tthe top of your post. If you want to have it elswhere, just copy the long HTML code and paste it anywhere in your post.
All the best
Arjana
Hi Arjana,
ReplyDeleteAs usual you are very helpful and considerate to other people's problems. Thank you very much for that.
Best
Bella