Portals and Collaboration

27 September 2006 to 29 September 2006
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Peer Learning Cluster or other group

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Background

The PLA on ‘Portals and Collaboration’ was hosted by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education.

Its objectives mainly focus on:

  • Building learning networks for sharing information and knowledge and collaborating about all aspects of education
  • Boosting students’ success through collaborative learning environments                        

Background papers were provided to the participants beforehand. 

Description

Key lessons from the PLA: 
 
In addition to identifying a series of further challenges at Luxembourg level, the PLA allowed its participants to deeply exchange on the respective weaknesses and strengths of their National systems as regards the issue of 'portals and collaboration'.

Amongst other items, it was particularly pointed out that:  
  • A major issue is still infrastructure, particularly in Central Europe (e.g. videos and DVDs are posted to schools because they do not have broadband) and the visit was instructive in learning from others;
  • Options for replacing obsolete equipment –e.g. leasing, phased replacement- are needed 
  • the concept of e-remediation will be followed up by several countries
  • The use of tools as MiniBook: their benefits were acknowledged by the majority of countries
  • Several countries underlined their Interest in help desk for ICT – hotline telephone from classroom and remote fixing
  • Evaluations are crucial
  • Reflection needed on balance between centralisation and autonomy
The relevance of cross-border actions was furthermore raised by several participants.
 
For further reading:
Knowledge System for Lifelong Learning