LearnLink Projects: NAMIBIA

Computer-Assisted Teacher Training
Educational Development and Support Network (ED'S NET)

Project URL: http://www.edsnet.na
LearnLink Section: http://www.edsnet.na/Edutech/LearnLink.htm

The computer-assisted teacher training (CATT) activity in Namibia is designed to strengthen professional development for educators and ensure continuous assistance for teachers and administrators. It supports the National Institute for Educational Development's (NIED’s) goals and the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture's (MBESC’s) Ten Year Plan for Educational Development and Support.

The project introduces technology not for its own sake but to support education. Through a project-based learning approach, capacity building efforts for educators include web-based, CD-ROM, and face-to-face training plus computer literacy and IT application familiarity integrated into daily instruction and Ministry activities. Trainers, many of whom are women, will supervise instruction using a digitized set of 20 modules based on NIED's Teachers' Basic Competency Manual.

A local NGO—SchoolNet and its "Kids on the Block" (computer-savvy youth aged 15-22 years)— provided volunteers for connecting equipment for the program. Sites include NIED in Okahandja and Teacher Resource Centers (TRCs) in Ongwediva, Katima Mulilo, and Rundu, located in historically disadvantaged northern regions of the country where teacher preparedness is low. In addition, a local radio personality contributed time to connecting a server.

Project activities include assistance with the development of an ED's Net (Educational Development and Support Network) web site for facilitating communication, research, and training and creating a virtual community of teachers, principals, advisory teachers, inspectors, and education researchers to share educational wisdom and experience. Other web site features include materials on HIV/AIDS as well as dynamic teaching philosophies, approaches, and pedagogies.

The Namibia CATT project is an IT training, networking, and resource development activity for improving educational quality. It offers new opportunities for improving teacher preparedness and educational management, introduces a vehicle that facilitates knowledge sharing, and more equitably distributes educational resources to those most in need. The educational community in northern Namibia will be able to draw on multiple multimedia methods—e-mail, listservs, chat messaging, web sites, discussion fora, file sharing, and voice and video—for strengthening the educational system.

For more information on LearnLink Namibia Task Order, contact Jeffrey Goveia.