Information and Communication Technologies in the field of general education in Armenia

1. Information and Communication Technologies in the field of general education in Armenia NATIONAL CENTER OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES 2011

2. Government programs designed to improve ICT in teaching and learning process • The concept of creating an electronic community in Armenia. • Activities aimed at improving computer skills in the field of general education in Armenia. • The concept of teaching computer skills in primary schools. All of these programs and concepts are being implemented according to the decisions of RA Government. NATIONAL CENTER OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES (NCET) To administer and foster the development of ICT in Education on the government level, by the decision of RA Government and in the frames of Education Quality and Relevance World Bank Credit Project, the Ministry of Education and Science in 2004 established the National Center of Educational Technologies state non trade organization (NCET).

3. Main Objectives Introduction and Enhancement of Information and Communication Technologies in Armenian schools Primary Scope of Activities • Administration and support of Armenian Schools Internet Network • Administration of Mobile Internet Computer Station (Laboratory) Project • Administration of Armenian Educational Portal • Administration of education management information system • Implementation of technical upgrades at schools • Delivery of computer literacy trainings for IT teachers and staff members of internet-computer centers of schools • Creation of educational brochures, electronic libraries • Certification of computer software applications • Coordination of ICT in Education programs • Programs and activities are mainly funded from the RA State Budget

4. Armenian Schools Internet Network One of the core areas of NCET policy is the provision of computer hardware, internet connectivity and computer training to schools. NCET currently oversees the implementation of “Armenian Schools Internet Network” program, which includes administration and provision of wide range of technical support services for the unique internet-computer school network consisting of 944 schools and more than 50 access points. It is anticipated to enlarge the school network to 1400 schools, by providing connectivity to other 450 schools till the end of 2012. TOTAL NUMBER OF TRAINED PEOPLE IN COMPUTER LITERACY TRAININGS • About 35% of teachers in Armenia received training in ICT skills in the frames of the “Education Quality and Relevance” Project. • 620 staff members of internet-computer centers from 620 schools recently connected to the Schools Internet Network received training in Network Administration. • 620 teachers of Informatics from 620 schools recently connected to the School Internet Network received training in the utilization of online tools in the educational process. • It is anticipated to train about 450 staff members of internet-computer centers and 450 teachers of informatics of schools newly connected to the network.

5. Mobile Internet – Computer Station Project • Mobile Internet-Computer Station Project was launched in 2008 in the framework of “Support of Armenian Schools Internet Network and maintenance of computer equipment” budget program. • Mobile Internet-Computer Lab is a vehicle transformed into a learning lab, connected to the internet through a satellite connection. • Mobile Lab is equipped with: • 7 workstations • Centralized UPS, air-conditioning and security systems. • During 2009-2011 Mobile ICS delivered computer literacy trainings in 48 communities all over Armenia and trained total of 1500 teachers, students and community members.

6. Computer equipment and Internet availability in schools. • There are16700Computers (Pentium III and newer) in 1402 Armenian schools. On average, 12 computers in one school. Student/Computer ratio increased from 1/400 at the beginning of 2004 to 1/21 at the end of the Project in 2011. • 1180 schools have permanent access to the Internet, among which 944 are grouped together in the Armenian Schools Internet Network. • Effective organization of technical updates, and technical needs assessment carried out through the online database.

7. Armenian Educational Portal Armenian Educational Portalwww.armedu.am has started to operate since December of 2007, which is the largest educational portal in Armenian language. • The portal provides information on Armenian educational system, implementing programs, information about competitions and news, as well as methodological, legal and educational documents. • The portal also provides e-mail generation, subscription service as well as virtual space for collaboration. • Distance Learning in Armenian Educational Portal was launched in September 2010. Today it is in a test mode. The following courses are currently being conducted in online mode: Open course on Distance learning system, Computer Graphics for beginners and Operational skills of school LANs. The new version of the Forum in the Armenian Educational Portal was launched in 2010. Teachers and students are the participants of the Forum. Forum topics are related to education, culture, sports, there are also intellectual tasks and educational games.There is also a part for public discussions about textbooks.

8. National Center of Educational Technologies (NCET) • The web page of NCET www.ktak.amhas been operating since February 2006. It provides information on • organizational updates • ICT news • announcements • information about organization • links • archive Education Management Information System Collects statistical information from all the Armenian schools that is published in the directory "General Education in Armenia". These data are also stored in an online database (http://armedu.am/arm/official.php?sec=org&id=377). Analyzed information improves the efficiency of education management.

9. E-Content Electronic Educational Publications All Armenian schools were provided with 18 electronic educational publications on CDs. Electronic resources for Armenian Language and Literature, Geometry and Algebra, Russian and English languages have been developed and distributed to all schools.

10. E-Content Handbook of a Network User The handbook published at the end of 2009 and distributed to all schools in Armenia. Every school received two copies of handbook and one electronic version on CD. Electronic CD for Network Users • The interactive electronic version on the CD of the Handbook of a Network User was created in the end of 2009. • The CD has 5 sections • Handbook • Videos • Dictionary • Links • Programs The online version is available on the Armenian Educational Portal: http://www.ktak.am/handbook/

11. Licensing of OS and other Computer Software 8,300 licensed versions of Windows OS (Vista, 7) and Microsoft office were provided to Armenian schools through 2009-2011 in the frames of the agreement signed between the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia and Microsoft corporation. Electronic library spyurq.dasagirq.am On the initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia an electronic library was created. The library contains many books which are intended for students from elementary to high schools.

12. Electronic diaries Interactive electronic diaries were created, which contain information on students’ evaluations and performance. Electronic diary allows parents to be aware of their children’s performance in online mode. www.dasaran.am www.oragir.am

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