the Nokia Foundation and Ayala have projects using ubiquitous computing in
the way of phones .
This is the UN book. This work is not just done in one country. This is
in developing countries as well as various other countries. I can send
individually a e-copy of the initiative.
Tri-sector cooperation bridges the divide
Bridgeit is a global program that delivers digital education materials to
schools using mobile technology. The program is implemented through a unique
cooperation between Nokia, the International Youth Foundation, Pearson and
United
Nations Development Program (UNDP).
What is Bridgeit?
Quick and simple to use, Bridgeit combines existing mobile products and
satellite technologies to deliver digital, multimedia materials to teachers and
students who otherwise would not have access to them. It makes
distance-learning
programs immediately accessible to teachers and students.
In practice, teachers use mobile phones supplied by Nokia to access a library
of more than 80 full-length science videos provided by Pearson, the world's
leading learning company. Once selected, videos are downloaded via satellite to
a Nokia digital video recorder connected to a television right in the
classroom.
Though the program, students can explore the same state-of-the-art
educational programs regardless of the location of their school or its academic
resource
budget.
Program pilot in the Philippines
Bridgeit pilot was launched in the Philippines in 2003 with the support of
local Philippines organizations. Known as text2teach in the Philippines, Bridge
it was developed locally under the leadership of the Ayala Foundation and with
the commitment and involvement of the Philippines Ministry of Education,
SEAMEO Innotech, Globe Telecom, PMSI Dream Broadcasting, and Chikka Asia.
Positive results
The research report completed by the University of the Philippines confirmed
that the outcome of the Bridgeit pilot was very positive. The students'
performance was raised markedly and their attitudes toward science and
technology
became more positive as a result of their participation in the "text2teach"
pilot. Also teachers welcomed the new teaching concept, as it improved their
competence and attitude toward using technology. The positive impact went
beyond
the classroom, as the project motivated also school officials, parents and
community leaders.
Pilot results in a nutshell
• 40 schools in three cities in three project sites:
Batangas/Laguna, Cotabato City and Quezon City/Manila
• More than 13,000 5th and 6th grade students benefited from the
program
• Improved student performance in science
• Improved teachers' competence in teaching science as a result of
text2teach training
• Development of a very easy-to-use mobile solution for science
education
• Creation of a program blueprint to guide expansion and
replication
Expanding content and reach
Three key principles - sustainability, scalability and replicability - are
the backbone of the Bridgeit program. Sustainability refers to local relevance
and ownership as well as affordability. Scalability means that when expanding
to more subjects and to more schools reaching more students, there must be no
technical or other obstacles and that the cost per student must become
progressively lower. Replicability means that the Bridgeit platform can easily
be
adopted in other countries and regions of the world.
bbracey at aol com
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