Presentation at NECC on UNESCO's ICT Competency Framework.

Tarek Shawki from Cairo was going to present but he was unable to ge to San Antonio, so the CEO of ISTE is presenting on his behalf.

There are 3 documents available in Phase 1 in the project :

• Policy Framework
• Implementation Guidelines
• Competency Standards Module

Created with assistance of cisco, intel, Microsoft, ISTE and others. The document has reviewed by 40 thought leaders around the world as well before publication. It was difficult to ger global consensus about eh specifics of the framework.

Knowledge has a central role in the development of many areas - economic growth, social development, cultural enrichment. UNESCO have a diagram showing the Pillars of Knowledges societies

There has been an explosion of technologies at the turn of the century (into 21 C) so many more technologies. There are ways of reaching others and building human captial that have not been available to us before - we can do more than ever. Education is an enabling factor on so many levels for a 'global community'.

This has had a major impact on Education. Students have acces to an increased number of knowledge sources (including people - and the interactions that they have with each other).

UNESCO ties the ecomonic devlopement with education

New pedagogical paradigm -

• constructive process
• more than aquiring skills
• non-formal and non-linear
• new and flexible learning environments

based on new literacies of technology and information literacy with a shift from teacher in control to being more student centered and self-directed

There are serious constraints to this within developing countries. Professional Training and Support for teachers will help overcome some of the challenges.

Defines skill sets for teachers to have in order to be effective. The diagram below outlines the areas and the phases of teacher competency.

Teacher as model learning is a really interesting way to describe the higher level of Professional Development - not being an expert but being a learner :)

There was a debate in the session about the first level being labeled as "intergrate technology" because it could be described as using more of a broadcast/dissemination of knowledge approach - and integration is perhaps something that underpins the whole concept.

There are strong links between these ideas and things that are happening in Australia - such as the ICT Pedagogical Licence by Education Queensland and the ePotential Continuum from Victorian Educaiton Department as well.

There are strategic partnerships with companies to support the project including the areas of training, knowledge reposititories, content management systems and more...

There was a question if there are assessment available for teachers.

There was discussion about Governments, providers and other creators submiting frameworks and standards to UNESCO (with review by ISTE) to endorse initiatives that align to the UNESCO framework - this would also build the interational network of participants in this project.