Government launches national e-learning strategy

The government yesterday launched a national e-learning strategy for 2008-2010.

The plan aims at integrating information and communications technology with traditional teaching systems for a new generation of adults skilled in creativity, independent learning and critical thinking.

The strategy, which incorporates a €22 million (Lm9,444,600) computer leasing plan for five years, was launched by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, IT Minister Austin Gatt and Education Minister Louis Galea at Margaret Mortimer Girls Junior Lyceum, in Sta Luċija,

The strategy would help the government achieve its target of making the country a centre of excellence in IT by 2015. E-learning was an essential part of the country's ICT. The government wanted IT in each and every classroom. According to a 2006 EU survey, the European average, which Malta met, was of 11 students to a computer. The best countries had six students to a computer, Dr Gatt said.

Malta was investing to have a computer for every four students. In order to save money, the government would be leasing, rather than buying computers.

There would be 10,300 personal computers for students and 2,800 laptops for teachers in schools. The new computers would be installed before the next scholastic year.

Dr Gatt said the government wanted each classroom to be IT enabled and to have an interactive white board with all the necessary audiovisual tools for interactivity.

Each school would be connected to the government's fibre optic network with wifi accessibility.

Each class would have its own website where parents, teachers and students could integrate.

Dr Galea said all this was being done for the country's children to be successful. The government wanted an education system that would be among the best. That was why it had come up with the strategy that would lead to the transformation of the education system.

Strategy's aims

To diffuse ICT skills among learners, but also to encourage collaboration, creativity and innovation.

To introduce a focus on learning those skills that are essential for independent learning through life.

To develop teachers' ICT skills so that they become confident users of ICT in teaching and learning, developing and using appropriate pedagogies with technology, and supporting learners in all subjects across the curriculum.

To build the capacity of leaders in education to develop a vision for their organisation and lead their staff in achieving it.

To establish the technology infrastructure to support professionals who support pupils.

To establish standards for internet and computer safety and security, technical standards for interoperability and compatibility and quality standards for content development.

To provide an appropriate e-learning platform for schools.

To provide schools management data to users at teacher, school leader and policy maker levels.

To provide initial digital learning content for schools that demonstrates clearly the ambition for e-learning and to identify a development path that recognises the value of free, user generated and commercial content for learning.

To build on the country's existing content and to reflect national aims supporting Maltese language and culture.

To encourage content developers to strategically partner with international development companies of e-learning content for the servicing of both international and Maltese markets.