DOHA: Education in Qatar is set to be increasingly collaborative, cooperative and technology driven in the near future with the launch of Microsoft Qatar's 'Anytime Anywhere Learning' initiative.
The latest initiative will provide access to technology for every individual in the country anytime, anywhere. It not only provides communication and collaboration platforms needed to nurture lifelong learning, but also extends to provide affordable learning devices to education end users with the right resources, content, training and tools needed to transform education and better engage students in the learning process.
"The right technology combined with specific policies and inclusive programmes can have a significant impact on improving access to quality education. For all citizens, access to this 'digital society' delivers tangible economic, employment, and social opportunities. Digital inclusion transforms the education system and in turn, the total economy to a more dynamic state," said Naim Yazbeck, Country Manager, Microsoft Qatar,
The Anytime Anywhere learning Initiative in Qatar will implement cloud services, software, training, support, distribution, and critical partnerships to help enable a successful partnership outcome.
Some of Microsoft's latest solutions which will soon be introduced to engage, inspire, and prepare all students to learn and innovate are Microsoft Surface solution and Xbox Kinect. Microsoft Surface breaks down traditional barriers between people and technology, providing effortless interaction with digital content and collaboration among users, while Xbox Kinect can transform ordinary classroom experiences into immersive educational experiences through its controller free technology.
"Education is all about collaboration so we are trying to bring all technologies that promote collaboration between students and between students and teachers to improve education. Surface is one of those technologies where students can work together collaboratively on certain projects and under Surface there are also lots of applications that can help specific topics in education such as math, geography, history and science. Kinect can also play a major role in technology and education that will help in communication such as the integration of Skype," explained Yazbeck.
Another Microsoft program which he mentioned to help support ongoing technology education is the IT Academy program which features access to software licenses, E-Learning, official Microsoft course materials, and certifications that cover the spectrum of professions within the IT industry. E-Learning and course materials range from computer basics to high-level programming, along with information and communications technology (ICT) management.
He also announced an Awards Programme to recognise the schools with the best technology implementations. These include a "School of the Future" Award for the school which has the best application in terms of using Windows based devices and applications in teaching and learning. The "School Transformation Award of the year" award goes to one school which makes the best use of technology, programmes and innovation to transform education, enhance academic performance and teacher adoption of new tools for better teaching methods.
"All schools can participate and there will be key criteria for evaluation such as what kind of technology they are using and to what extent they utilise this new technology. More important than putting the technology there is how much of this technology is being used by the entire educational environment from students to teachers," he said, adding the awards will be given at the beginning of the next academic year.
Also present during the press briefing were Harb Bou Harb, Public Sector Manager; Mamoun Bishtawi, Small and Medium Business Manager and Eng Hafez Hamdy, Country Manager, ITWorx Qatar.
© The Peninsula 2011
