June 2013 - KICTANet

Elementary schools to pilot using digital textbooks
by S.M. Muraya 11 Jun '13

11 Jun '13

http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=302259 Elementary schools to pilot using digital textbooks By DANIELLE ZIRI 06/02/2013Fifth and sixth grade students will use digital textbooks in English, math and an elective of the school's choice. Some 100 elementary schools across Israel will be using digital schoolbooks this year as part of a new pilot project, the Education Ministry announced this week. The project, led by Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar, is part of a national program aimed at “adapting the education system to the 21st century,” which has been in place for two years. The schools were selected for the project according to their available technological and pedagogical infrastructure and were provided with Internet, a laptop for each teacher and projectors. Pupils in the fifth and sixth grades in the participating establishments will use digital textbooks in three subjects: English, math and an elective of the school’s choice. The textbooks are presented in a PDF format which the teachers can update and insert material into. In class, some schools will have students use the book on their personal computers, while others will make use of the classroom projector. Educators also committed to 30 hours of digital textbook training and another 30 hours at a course dealing with the use of the technology in the specific subjects they teach. “It really brings a fun atmosphere into the classroom,” Ilana Vagman, principal of Alon elementary school in Haifa, told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. Vagman’s school, which is participating in the pilot this year, had already been using the method prior to it. “[The students] are excited to work with the computers, it opens a whole interactive world, which for them, this is their world. They were born into this,” she added, “this method appeals to them much more because of that.” Vagman, who also teaches math, explained that besides allowing kids not to have to carry heavy books, or forget them at home, the project also facilitates their learning. “The lesson becomes more attractive to them, they are more focused,” she explained. “Not only are they learning the digital skills, they are also learning the content at the same time. They think they are playing but they are actually learning. “I very much believe in this project,” she added. Sa’ar stated that the transition to learning through digital books is “a necessity, and the education system must adapt itself to the changing reality and advance learning.” He explained that the pilot’s success will then be empirically measured with the aim of expanding it to all schools in the country.

1 0

Ensuring Effective Implementation of the Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes)
by Barrack Otieno 11 Jun '13

11 Jun '13

Listers, Over the past two weeks we have had animated discussions on various lists regarding the laptop project that is to be implemented by the Government. The outgoing permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo and his education counterpart Prof. Godia attempted to join the discussion but could not provide substantive response since the discussion was not structured. As stakeholders in the ICT sector, we have decided to hold a five day online discussion to gather views in a structured manner. This will then be synthesized during a face to face meeting that will be hosted by Strathmore University. We expect the Cabinet Secretaries for Information and Communication, Education and their Principal Secretaries to join us in the face to face meeting. This discussion will take place over a five day period and will be as follows: 1. Day 1: What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes) 2. Day 2: What Educational Content would support the Knowledge Objectives above(examples of educ. content/software used) 3. Day 3: How would this be delivered and assessed? (Administrative & Institutional infrastructures at primary school levels) 4. Day 4: Maintenance & Disposal (issues of support, environmental concerns, etc) 5. Day 5: Wrapup and Way Forward (Key declarations, what next) *Today we start with day 1 * *What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes)* -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

7 13

Re: [kictanet] Ensuring Effective Implementation of the Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes)
by Sam Aguyo 10 Jun '13

10 Jun '13

ICT provides an opportunity for Life Long Learning skills. The outcome of such is intercultural awareness which is a soft skill necessary in the currently global village. When our kids are exposed to differently cultures at the early stages of their lives, it becomes a lifestyle and are able to appreciate this, therefore able to work in different environments. One sure way of doing this is through Collaborative Learning AKA Project Based Learning. These skills are necessary and helps to boost such ecosystems as the BPO industry. Remember, we have been marketing Kenya as a BPO/ITES destination. Sam Aguyo ------------------------------ On Sun, Jun 9, 2013 10:45 PM AST (Arabian) Barrack Otieno wrote: >Listers, > >Over the past two weeks we have had animated discussions on various lists >regarding the laptop project that is to be implemented by the Government. >The outgoing permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and >Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo and his education counterpart Prof. Godia >attempted to join the discussion but could not provide substantive response >since the discussion was not structured. As stakeholders in the ICT sector, >we have decided to hold a five day online discussion to gather views in a >structured manner. This will then be synthesized during a face to face >meeting that will be hosted by Strathmore University. We expect the Cabinet >Secretaries for Information and Communication, Education and their >Principal Secretaries to join us in the face to face meeting. > >This discussion will take place over a five day period and will be as >follows: >1. Day 1: What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire >(Learning objectives and outcomes) >2. Day 2: What Educational Content would support the Knowledge Objectives >above(examples of educ. content/software used) >3. Day 3: How would this be delivered and assessed? (Administrative & >Institutional infrastructures at primary school levels) >4. Day 4: Maintenance & Disposal (issues of support, environmental >concerns, etc) >5. Day 5: Wrapup and Way Forward (Key declarations, what next) > >*Today we start with day 1 >* >*What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning >objectives and outcomes)* > >-- >Barrack O. Otieno >+254721325277 >+254-20-2498789 >Skype: barrack.otieno >http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

1 0

Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 73, Issue 62
by Cleopa Otieno 10 Jun '13

10 Jun '13

Interesting discussions already! Knowledge and skills set at Std 1 from my perspective would include: 1. Introduction to basics of computing - being able to understand the system 2. Communicate effectively - able t use internet to search and learn new things, watch educational videos etc as well as communicate with peers from other schools at that young age, hence initializing collaboration. 3. Creativity - being able to use simple programs to create and set talents rolling. 4. Entertainment - be able to use the system to play educational games as well other games that can help the mind grow and develop. 5. E-learning - Introduce self paced learning in form of e-learning or any other applicable ways. Lastly content is King, but thats day2.... Regards, ---- <http://www.telecentre.org/> National Coordinator, KenTel <http://www.kenyatelecentres.org/> On 10 June 2013 11:07, <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils > to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes) (Barrack Otieno) > 2. Re: Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils > to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes) (Lucy Kimani) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:39:28 +0300 > From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> > To: James Kariuki <jkariuki(a)gmail.com> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std > 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes) > Message-ID: > <CAKX6dsGB+CHVY7ZFKMPyXQke8WQCkZOUk7iXktPK2K= > v-o2AEQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" > > Many thanks Walu for setting the ball rolling Jaco and James make equally > interesting interventions. From a laymans perspective in class one i would > like to teach the child to pay attention as well as have some structured > way of thinking and solving problems as such the child should > a) Be able to listen > b) Be able to engage in problem solving > c) Be able to communicate his thoughts and idea from mind to paper or any > other platform > We also need to have in mind the short attention span of the child and look > at ways of making the lessons more exciting. Jaco could you kindly expound > on your answers, they sound very insightfull. > > Best Regards > > > On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 10:12 AM, James Kariuki <jkariuki(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > I would want to imagine the core skills are the basic literacies as > > indicated by Walubengo - mainly covering Mathematical literacy (or > > Numeracy), information literacy(including reading and writing) and > > computer/digital literacy. Of course depending on how these basic > > literacies are taught other literacies can be implied (for example > > environmental, cultural). > > > > Is there anyone with the content of Standard One curricula or syllabi? > > This would greatly shape our discussions. > > > > --James > > > > On 10 June 2013 08:18, Du Toit, Jaco <j.dutoit(a)unesco.org> wrote: > > > Dear Walu, > > > > > > > > > > > > Thank you for these skills. From UNESCO perspective learners should > not > > > only have technology literacy (usage skills) but also knowledge > deepening > > > skills and ideally knowledge creation skills. These skills include > > ?softer > > > skills? that goes from problem formulation to cyber security to > > > understanding plagiarism. > > > > > > > > > > > > Jaco > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > Jaco DU TOIT > > > > > > Adviser for Communication & Information > > > > > > UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa > > > > > > United Nations Avenue, UNON, Gigiri (Room C-104) > > > > > > P.O. Box 30592-00100, Nairobi, Kenya > > > > > > Tel: +254 (0)20 762 2346/2566 > > > > > > Fax +254 (0)20 762 2750 > > > > > > Email:j.dutoit@unesco.org, > > > Website: http://www.unesco-nairobi.org > > > > > > > > > > > > From: kictanet > > > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+j.dutoit=unesco.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On > > Behalf > > > Of Walubengo J > > > Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 9:01 AM > > > To: Du Toit, Jaco > > > > > > > > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std > 1 > > > Pupils to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes) > > > > > > > > > > > > Thnx Barrack for volunteering to moderate this week's session on this > > topic. > > > > > > > > > > > > Looks like Listers are still waking up from their weekend and so I will > > take > > > the opportunity to be the first to shoot my ideas on what we > > > skills/knowledge expect the kids to have. > > > > > > > > > > > > 1. Usage Skills:- just basics of operating the gadget, turn on/off, > load > > > basic programs such as typing, drawing, etc > > > > > > 2. Searching skills:- ability to "google" around the devices for > specific > > > items - very important in a world with an overload of information. > > > > > > 3. Elementary Skills:- the NON-ICT stuff, we still have an obligation > to > > > teach the kids reading, writing, and numerical skills and so the > > question is > > > how can ICTs support this elementary skill build-up. > > > > > > > > > > > > walu. > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> > > > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > > Sent: Sunday, June 9, 2013 10:45 PM > > > Subject: [kictanet] Ensuring Effective Implementation of the Laptop > > Project > > > - The Key Variables (Day one What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 > > Pupils > > > to acquire (Learning objectives and outcomes) > > > > > > > > > > > > Listers, > > > > > > Over the past two weeks we have had animated discussions on various > lists > > > regarding the laptop project that is to be implemented by the > Government. > > > The outgoing permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and > > > Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo and his education counterpart Prof. > Godia > > > attempted to join the discussion but could not provide substantive > > response > > > since the discussion was not structured. As stakeholders in the ICT > > sector, > > > we have decided to hold a five day online discussion to gather views > in a > > > structured manner. This will then be synthesized during a face to face > > > meeting that will be hosted by Strathmore University. We expect the > > Cabinet > > > Secretaries for Information and Communication, Education and their > > Principal > > > Secretaries to join us in the face to face meeting. > > > > > > This discussion will take place over a five day period and will be as > > > follows: > > > > > > 1. Day 1: What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire > > > (Learning objectives and outcomes) > > > > > > 2. Day 2: What Educational Content would support the Knowledge > Objectives > > > above(examples of educ. content/software used) > > > > > > 3. Day 3: How would this be delivered and assessed? (Administrative & > > > Institutional infrastructures at primary school levels) > > > > > > 4. Day 4: Maintenance & Disposal (issues of support, environmental > > concerns, > > > etc) > > > > > > 5. Day 5: Wrapup and Way Forward (Key declarations, what next) > > > > > > > > > > > > Today we start with day 1 > > > > > > What Knowledge/Skills do we expect std 1 Pupils to acquire (Learning > > > objectives and outcomes) > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Barrack O. Otieno > > > > > > +254721325277 > > > > > > +254-20-2498789 > > > Skype: barrack.otieno > > > > > > http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > > for > > > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > > > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > > > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > > development. > > > > > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > > > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > > bandwidth, > > > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, > do > > > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jkariuki%40gmail.com > > > > > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > > for > > > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > > > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > > > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > > development. > > > > > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > > > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > > bandwidth, > > > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, > do > > > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmai… > > > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > development. > > > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > > > -- > Barrack O. Otieno > +254721325277 > +254-20-2498789 > Skype: barrack.otieno > http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ >

1 0

Re: [kictanet] LGBT rights for ICT professionals and other engineers/scientists
by ICT Researcher 09 Jun '13

09 Jun '13

According to World Health Organisation, every day 3,000 people commit suicide around the world for broad broad range of reasons. It would therefore be better to direct the concern to the international organisation for global action we focus our energies on trying to get some semblance of decent access to our vast majority(over 70 per cent of the population) at this point in time. ------------------------------ On Sun, Jun 9, 2013 2:17 PM MSKS Barrack Otieno wrote: >Hi Adam, > >I think the position of the Kenyan Society is clear from the Wikipedia post >you have made , let us focus on ICT since we are united in promoting the >growth and development of the Information and Communications Technology >sector. > >Best Regards > > >On Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 1:03 PM, Adam Nelson <adam(a)varud.com> wrote: > >> I recently read with distress this email from Alan Turing written shortly >> before his suicide following conviction for "gross indecency after >> admitting to a sexual relationship with another man". >> >> http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/06/yours-in-distress-alan.html >> >> And then read this sad article summarizing the current state of affairs >> regarding LGBT rights in Kenya: >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Kenya >> >> Is there anything that the members of the KICTAnet community can do to >> support LGBT members of the engineering and ICT communities in Kenya? >> Supporting individual rights is critical to creating an environment where >> innovation can happen. >> >> Cheers, >> Adam >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmai… >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > > > >-- >Barrack O. Otieno >+254721325277 >+254-20-2498789 >Skype: barrack.otieno >http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

5 4

LGBT rights for ICT professionals and other engineers/scientists
by Adam Nelson 09 Jun '13

09 Jun '13

I recently read with distress this email from Alan Turing written shortly before his suicide following conviction for "gross indecency after admitting to a sexual relationship with another man". http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/06/yours-in-distress-alan.html And then read this sad article summarizing the current state of affairs regarding LGBT rights in Kenya: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Kenya Is there anything that the members of the KICTAnet community can do to support LGBT members of the engineering and ICT communities in Kenya? Supporting individual rights is critical to creating an environment where innovation can happen. Cheers, Adam

2 1

Prof. Joseph Kiambati?
by Walubengo J 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Twitter claims the President has given us Prof. Joseph Kiambati as the Principal Sec. in ICT. Not sure if its true ...but still I still googled this Prof. Kiambati and not getting definite profile. Any one with his profile? walu.

10 16

Customs and IT Products Talks Ongoing in Geneva
by waudo siganga 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Negotiations to expand the list of IT products on which duties and import levies are eliminated [1]http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news13_e/ita_04jun13_e.htm References 1. http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news13_e/ita_04jun13_e.htm

1 0

The New Scramble for Africa - Digitally that is..
by Ali Hussein 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

China wants Africa’s STB business By Chris Forrester Statements made in Nairobi by officials from Chinese pay-TV operator StarTimes Group suggest the broadcaster has the whole of sub-Saharan Africa in its sights as far as pay-TV and the receiver technology side of the business is concerned. A StarTimes-organised seminar heard on June 3 that the broadcaster had now signed up more than 2.5 million subscribers across Africa. StarTimes believes it has the right broadcasting model. Kenya, for example, is shortly to switch off its Nairobi analogue transmitter and StarTimes says it is targeting the city’s 1 million existing TV homes, each of which will have to invest either in a new TV set or in a converter box. StarTimes is selling low-cost boxes, which can be upgraded to subscription to its pay-TV bouquet for about $59 (Kenyan Shillings 4999). Moreover, the government is keen to see some progress as it estimates that to date only about 12,000 free-to-air terrestrial converter boxes have been sold in a nation of some 4 million TV homes. “On realising that there are insufficient non subscription based decoders in the market, we decided to introduce a free-to-air decoder thereby giving Kenyans a great variety to choose from,” StarTimes Media CEO Leo Lee says. Kenya’s Communication Commission (CCK) says it has licensed around 20 free to air decoders, but sales have been slow when compared to around 200,000 pay-TV boxes which have sold. Fenella Ephraim Mukangara, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Culture & Sports said Tanzania is teaming up with the StarTimes in a bid to accomplish the analogue switch-off June 2015 target made by ITU and initial projects have seen 23 per cent of its population enjoy digital TV. StarTimes Group sees itself as a pioneer in terms of TV. It has more than 7 million subscribers to its Chinese services, and is targeting Africa with pay-TV services. StarTimes started developing its African markets in 2002, and was issued the first digital TV operator license by Rwanda in 2007. Currently StarTimes has got licenses and registered companies in 10 African nations. The broadcaster’s operations network covers African, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Central African Republic, Guinea and Kenya. Pang Xinxing, chairman of the Beijing-based company, noted only that a complete digital technology, and adequate financing for projects, are critically needed in African countries to help with the popularisation of its satellite projects. “The biggest challenge is the digitalization of the terminal, which [will replace] those analogue systems. Only by truly and completely switching off all the analogue system and upgrading facilities [can success be assured].” Their new Mission Statement is simple: “To provide every African family with affordable and enjoyable DTV”. Ali Hussein CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd +254 713 601113 "The future belongs to him who knows how to wait." - Russian Proverb Sent from my iPad

1 0

President Kenyatta secures Microsoft support for computers
by Walubengo J 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

Whao! When I grow up, I want to work for M$oft :-) Sounds like they are concluding the deal to be on 1million laptops next year - as we are busy tweeting on what Software is relevant for pupils in Standard one. Read on @ http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Uhuru-secures-Microsoft-support-for-computers/… walu.

18 37