Assignment 2. in Educational Technology

Assignment 2:

I. The Educational System of Bhutan. 

• Bhutan adopts adopts a 7 year primacy cycle followed by 6 years of secondary education leading to tertiary education. Basic education in Bhutan is defined as 11 years of education.
• Computer classes are offered in Grade 11 and 12 but they are theoretical courses in C++ programming and follow the Indian syllabus.
• Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan. English is the medium of instruction in the schools and Dzongkha is taught as the national language.
• A local IT curriculum has recently been developed for Grade 11 and 12, however, and this will be implemented in 2008.
• After completion of general education up to Class X, students then chose from the three streams of study for the higher secondary level – arts, commerce and science, which determines what profession they pursue thereafter.

II. Discuss the SIF ICT in Education project briefly.

         The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) ICT in Education project was initiated in 2000 to assist Bhutan's Ministry of Health and Education (MoHE) to introduce ICT into its education system to help bridge the gap between the low ICT-skills among pupils (the future workforce) and the growing adoption of ICT technology in the workplace. The project, conducted by the SIF Specialist information technology (IT) team, also trained teacher educators and curriculum design specialists to utilize ICT in their work and to integrate computer-based training materials into the school curriculum. Funding for the project was obtained from the Singapore Government and philanthropic foundations in Singapore.

III. What is Bhutan's EIT CURRICULUM?

          EIT curriculum known as "Enhanced IT" (EIT), is similar in terms of coursework demands to other courses offered in the Bachelor of Education programme, requiring a period of three years to complete. In addition to taking the EIT modules, trainee teachers also specialize in another discipline. It began with an initial face-to-face meeting which was followed up on through a series of e-mail exchanges. When the curriculum was complete, it was submitted to the Paro College academic board for approval, which was obtained in late 2002.

IV. Explain the categories on the use of Computer Technology in Education?
         There are three categories on the use of computer technology in education. These are computers could be an object, aspect and a medium.  An object, computers can be considered as an object which students learn about (hardware and software). An aspect, computer technologies can be an aspect which means using them as tools in subject such as computer aided design courses, or as general tools in educational setting, such as the use of graphic design software to create web pages for a school. And as a medium, computer technologies are a medium for instruction. For this categories technology could be the best partner in education.