ICT POLICY PLANNING WORKSHOP

In many developed as well as developing countries, there is still a need for educators to purposefully plan and use ICT in regular everyday teaching and learning experiences. Many institutions do not have an ICT Policy, but rather make approaches based on current trends in the field.

The importance of an ICT Plan to an educational institution cannot be overemphasized. Correctly planned and executed, it sets a clear agenda outlining timelines, resources and milestones for stakeholders within the system as to how the information and communications technologies can be employed for the benefit of all involved. The ICT Plan becomes a basis for change from teaching to learning.

The ICT Policy Planning Workshop, held last November 27-29, 2001 through joint efforts of SEAMEO INNOTECH and the International Institute for Communication and Development in the Hague, The Netherlands, aimed to: (1) develop a better understanding of the role of ICTs in change, and as a tool to use in the educational change process; (2) develop a better understanding of the possible use of ICTs in education; (3) gain familiarity with methodologies, concepts and tools of self-directed and lifelong learning; and (4) start the process of developing an ICT Policy Plan which can be adapted to specific educational institutions.

Designed to draw on the experiences and knowledge of the participants, the methodology prepared for the workshop involved individual presentations, group activities, discussions and one project undertaken by the participants. The workshop delivered the tools needed to start the process of formulating the ICT Policy Plan. They included instruments needed by the participants to enable them to work on the ICT Policy Plan, a template of an ICT Policy Plan, and a detailed action plan for the period given in which to complete the Plan. When participants return to their workstations, they are expected to develop their ICT Policy Plan over several months, after which they will reconvene at SEAMEO INNOTECH to present their plan.

The workshop was coordinated by INNOTECH’s ICT Program Director Mrs. Priscilla G. Cabanatan and facilitated by Ms. Denise Clarke, Capacity Development Officer at the International Institute for Communication and Development in the Hague, The Netherlands. Participants included school administrators, planning officers and ICT specialists.

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