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Educators, students and pedagogues today attended the Intel World Ahead Program - Education Workshop designed to promote the innovative and effective use of ICT in education. The workshop, held at the Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa on October 27th, presented a framework for analyzing policies in ICT, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, teacher training, and school organization.
Speaking at the workshop, Shelly Esque, Director of Worldwide Corporate Affairs for Intel Corporation said, "Knowledge is the source of comparative advantage in today’s global economy. Technology enables the rapid evolution of ideas and industries, and those who benefit most are those who can innovate and adapt most quickly. For these reasons, success at the individual, and ultimately the national level, is linked to the quality of education. Students must develop key 21st century skills such as digital literacy, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration. They must also excel in mathematics, science, and engineering – the building blocks of technical innovation."
Intel demonstrated how the corporation's educational programs and initiatives have supported numerous governments' education reforms, and showcased Jordan as a prime example of how this has been successfully implemented, using the Ministry of Education's 'Education Reform for Knowledge Economy' (ERfKE) and the ‘Jordan Education Initiative' (JEI) as case studies.
Esque went on to say, "Jordan is one of the leaders in transforming students into responsible citizens and life long learners through the delivery of quality education to Jordan’s citizens supported by a strong public-private partnership." She added, "The education programs implemented by the Jordanian government have helped it achieve its vision for education as a catalyst for social and economic development."
During the first part of the workshop, Dr. Robert Kozma, Education Consultant and Emeritus Director of SRI’s Center for Technology in Learning, assisted participants in applying a model framework to their current educational policies and encouraged them to coordinate policy changes through a holistic approach that deals with all the key pillars of the education process. Such a comprehensive approach, he added, would ensure the success of the education improvement process.
During the second part of the workshop, Intel provided an overview of the Intel World Ahead Program that supports 21st century teaching and learning, including access to affordable technology, broadband connectivity, training, and locally relevant content. Intel has partnered with the Jordan Ministry of Education since 2003; and has since provided training to more than 50 thousand Jordanian teachers on the Intel® Teach Essentials and Thinking with Technology programs. The latest edition of Intel® Teach Advanced Online Program was announced at World Economic Forum Dead Sea. Moreover, winners of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) this year included a Jordanian girl who won a Grand Award for her project in the Environmental Sciences.
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