Microsoft Cooperation in Education
Turkey , 2005 to Ongoing
Compendium: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Background
The programme “Microsoft Cooperation in Education” (e-learning) is based on a protocol signed by MoNE and Microsoft in 2004. This is a distance-learning programme for creating and improving teachers’ ICT literacy. IDs and passwords are supplied to all teachers working in the schools affiliated to MoNE. The teachers are enrolled in the teacher training programme via these user IDs and passwords. User accounts for 575 190 teachers have been provided so far and 160 536 teachers are actively using the programme. Successful teachers will receive certificates. This specific training programme initiated a secure and sound distance-learning infrastructure. Personnel of other institutions and Ministries will benefit from the same infrastructure and the training programme. Studies are continuing in order to keep the various contents in this infrastructure up-to-date.
The motivation of the initiative
Because of the large number of teachers (650 000), it is very easy to reach all teachers and train them on a web-based platform by using ICT tools. Teachers do not have to spend extra time in a classroom environment by attending in-service training to achieve this aim, but instead they can take the courses anytime and anywhere.
Participants
Teachers and public employees.
Aims and targets
Objectives of the initiative
Through distance education via the Internet all teachers and the personnel of the Ministry and the provinces (directorates of education) are meant to acquire the necessary skills to use information technology tools and improve their knowledge of the following themes:
- Basic Concepts of Information Technology
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Office software
- Communication
Target group
Teachers.
Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and/or pedagogical)
Online access and ICT tools.
Strategy and actions
Level of implementation
National.
Implementation
To support implementation, a server was established at the Information Processing Department of the DG for Educational Technologies in order to ensure distribution of the content to end users.
Monitoring and evaluation
Funding/Cost effectiveness
Budget
Microsoft covered all the expenses but the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) spent 200 000 USD for infrastructure purposes.
Sustainability/Transferability
Outcomes/impacts
Achievements
Specific results
- An electronic survey on the training programme was conducted and the results made available. Further evaluation is scheduled.
- 650 000 teachers have user accounts.
- 160 536 teachers are taking part in the training programme by accessing the online platform. Specific results are to be available after translation.
Success factors
Lessons learnt
Time-free, place-free distance-learning programmes are more attractive if a certificate is provided at the end. The programme increased purchases of computers (especially laptops) among teachers.
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