Intel launches skoool™.com Learning and Teaching Technology in Ghana
Vice President also addressed eLA Africa attendees on 21st century learning skills
As part of its visit to Ghana for the second E-learning conference and in line with its Intel World Ahead Program, Intel announced today its collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MOESS) and the Ministry of Communication (MOC) for the Ghanaian launch of its localised digital education content platform, skoool™.com.gh. The interactive teaching platform fits within the action points taken at the recent e-Learning conference in Ghana and provides advanced learning and teaching technologies to students and educators alike. The launch was celebrated with a ceremony and a demo presentation at the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT in Accra.
“The knowledge economy is a reality. We now have the opportunity to create and cultivate knowledge and the capability to advance social and economic well-being in Ghana,” said Will Swope, Vice President and General Manager, Corporate Affairs Group, Intel Corporation. “For forty years now, Intel has been committed to helping students around the world gain access to the right tools to succeed in the knowledge economy. We work with local governments to make this happen and we are honoured that the Ghanaian authorities have chosen us as a partner in their continuous effort to bridge the digital divide and ensure future success for the country and its people.”
At the event in Accra last week, William Swope, Vice President and General Manager, Corporate Affairs Group and other Intel professionals met with decision-makers, government officials and educators to discuss latest technology in education techniques and exchange know-how on enhancing eLearning programs in Africa as a means of helping to bridge the digital divide.
The launch of skoool™.com.gh fits perfectly within those discussions as it offers a programme that is specifically tailored for the new Ghana Education Service Curriculum, and can greatly benefit all junior and senior high schools in the country by providing local content and international teaching standards. The learning resources of skoool™ technology are similar in each country it operates in but are populated with local content. The main features are: multimedia learning objects (LearnSteps), interactive simulations (LearnSims), an award-winning maths toolkit, exam centre study notes, exam guides for maths and integrated science as well as study and revision tips.
Intel supports a 360° student-centred approach to education. skoool™.com.gh aids students with curriculum-focused multi-media learning and research, offers open-ended learning tools to help students explore wider concepts, and provides valuable exam focused resources to help students prepare effectively for state exams. Integrating technology in the classroom also encourages creative project-based learning, and enables students from schools across the globe to share information while developing valuable communication and collaboration skills to prepare for the 21st century workplace and society. This technology transfer from Intel will help to support local capability and capacity development in Ghana by making the best localised digital content available to the youth of the country.
skoool™.com has been active in South Africa since 2006. The first release of skoool™ Nigeria supported the successful Classmate PC proof of concept and deployment during 2007. The online version of skoool™ Nigeria will be launched in 2008. In Africa, Intel works together with government ministries, private sector sponsors, independent software vendors and NGOs in order to ensure a successful programme.
The launch took place at the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT and was attended by policy makers, private and public school heads, Ghana Education Service heads, ICT in education consultants and MOESS and MOC representatives.
