iSchools Project Announces Criteria for 2009 Funding Cycle

The iSchools Project has just released the criteria it will be using for selecting public high school recipients for the 2009 funding cycle.

The project releases new guidelines at the start of every cycle based on CICT policy. Last year, the project focused on providing ICT access to the most remote public high schools in the country. This upcoming fund however, is directed at enhancing the ICT capability of the ‘next wave’ cities.

While the project is still intent on bridging the digital divide especially in far-flung locations nationwide, iSchools management sees this as the best response to strengthen the economic impact of ICT, in “support of the growing industry and the cyber corridor,” adds iSchools Project Manager Antonette Torres.

To be chosen as one of the 320 recipients of the iSchools Project, public high schools must fulfill the following operational and commitment criteria:

Operational

• Not be a recipient of previous computerization projects
• Have stable & sufficient supply of electricity
• Adhere to technical requirements: space, security, outlets, fixtures, etc
• Have access to internet connection in the area
• Designate an ICT coordinator and alternate/assistant

• Located in BPO centers of excellence, next wave cities and provinces

Commitment

• Integrate ICT in education
• Contribute in the ICT development of the community
• Strong support from school community and development partners

• Ensure optimal laboratory utilization

Fulfilling these criteria assures the iSchools Project that the chosen high school can sustain and benefit from the computer laboratory in the long run.

The iSchools Project is one of the flagship projects of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the ICT4BE Program. The project aims to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, by providing training modules and increasing ICT access in public high schools. Now on its 3rd year of implementation, the iSchools Project has provided these services to 680 schools nationwide with an additional 320 schools intended for deployment.

CICT Inks Deal with Smart; Forty Nine Public High Schools Get Free Internet

The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with broadband service provider Smart Communications, Inc. at simple rites held at Cravings Restaurant, Katipunan Avenue this March 5, 2009. Public high school principals and partner State Universities and Colleges (SUC) implementers witnessed the event.As a result of this partnership, forty nine public high schools, all of whom are iSchools Project recipients, were awarded a year's worth of free broadband internet connection.

“One of the biggest challenges the (iSchools) project is facing is connectivity,” Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua, Chairman of the CICT, observes.

Chua elaborates, “less than half of them are already connected and that is the area that we really need help from the private sector.”

Smart Communications is more than willing to satisfy this request.

“What we're doing is creating a whole ecosystem that will allow access even at the grassroots level,” shares Salvador Vea, Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart Communications, referring to the mutual value created with the forging of this partnership.

CampBlog 1B now accepting applicants

With the success of the first Camp Blog, the iSchools Project Management Office (PMO) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for Camp Blog 1B, from June 12 to August 14, 2009. Camp Blog 1B will happen on October 16-26, 2009.
To join, interested teachers and students of iSchools Project recipient schools must answer all 4 essay questions found below:

1. Why should I be included in Camp Blog?
2. What are my experiences as a user of the web and other new media technologies?
3. What subject do I excel in? What specific topics do I like best about this subject?
4. What are my proposed strategies in maximizing the advantages of blogging for
teaching (if teachers) | learning (for students)?

Please observe the following guidelines in preparing your answers

· There should be a separate answer for each of the 4 essay questions.
· Each of the four essays must be short and direct-to-the-point. Ideally an answer must be less than 100 words long.
· The Camp Blog selection committee is more interested in the content of your answers rather than the form. Please make all your answers count.
· Previous participants of the first Camp Blog cannot participate in Camp Blog 1B.
· Deadline of submissions is on August 14, 2009. No late entries will be entertained.
· Please send your answers to your designated iSchools Project State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Coordinator. There will only be at most 12 applicants coming from each SUC Coordinator so please send in your entries ASAP. Applications
sent directly to the iSchools PMO will not be accepted.
· From the submitted list, iSchools PMO will then select 60 participants to join Camp Blog 1B.
· For questions, comments or suggestions, please contact
camp.blog.2009@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will not entertain direct submissions here.

For more information visit http://ischoolscampblog.wordpress.com

Thank you and good luck!

iSchools Project to Deploy 8,000 ICT Equipments to 320 Public High Schools

The iSchools Project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) will begin the deployment phase of its current implementation cycle on August 7, 2009. Eight thousand ICT equipments will be delivered to 320 public high schools nationwide within a month.

Each of the 320 beneficiary public high schools will receive the following: 19 multimedia desktop computers (LCD screen), a server, a laptop, a DLP projector, a 3-in-1 printer, a router and a wireless internet camera. Each recipient school will also receive a one-year internet connection subscription which will follow by mid August to September.

Aside from the equipment, the 320 iSchools beneficiaries will also receive four ICT training programs.

Initially, 20 school personnel (teachers, administrators, and students) will undergo a five-day basic computer and internet literacy course to be administered by certified International Computer Driving License (ICDL) trainers from 37 partner State Universities and Colleges (SUC).

Specialized ICT courses such as website development using Joomla, laboratory management using the Linux platform and library management will follow. Two personnel each from the 320 schools will attend these courses.

Despite the scale of deliverables, Antonette Torres, Project Manager of the iSchools Project, is confident that deployment can be completed within the target date.

“Our strategy is to tap our SUC partners as representatives of the CICT in the regions,” shares Torres.

“They would be able to create relationships with the high schools in their localities while at the same time serve as our partners in bridging the digital divide, especially in the provinces.”

The iSchools Project is one of the flagship projects of the Commission under the ICT4BE Program. The project aims to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, by providing training modules and increasing ICT access in public high schools. Now on its 3rd year of implementation, the iSchools Project has provided these services to 680 public high schools nationwide.

Final M&E Training-Workshop: Selected pictures