Connected Community Centers

1. Connected Community Centers

2. Connected Community Centers GOAL: To strengthen community-owned economic and social development initiatives in Lebanon through the use of ICT platforms and investment (PICTAs) Timeline: May 2007 – January 2008 Locations: Alma Chaab, Baalbek, Bint Jbeil, Bourj al Barajneh, and Nabatieh

3. Connected Community Centers PICTA Locations Baalbeck Bourj Barajneh Nabatieh Bint Jbeil Alma el Chaab

4. Connected Community Centers Phase I: Assessment, Start up & Review 2) Community mapping exercises were conductedin each location to identify key institutions, leaders, stakeholders, and community assets and needs, particularly related to ICT 1) Mobilizers recruitment from each location responsible of the development and implementation of the project on the ground 3) A representative body was formed called Community Leadership Circle (CLC) that administrated the formulation of the proposal for one ICT-based community project based on the needs of the communities 4) A survey was conducted in each location to define the local ICT knowledge and usage.

5. Connected Community Centers Phase II: Projects Development • Developing project proposals in each location responding to local needs, planning for financial sustainability and building local ownership defined through the up listed steps. • Community Development Fund that will support one layering ICT related project in each location. Projects in each of the 5 locations approved by the Partnership for Lebanon committee and supported by the community development fund get a 10k grant. • Evaluate impact of community projects and tested ICT applications on the community members interest in, and awareness of, computer-based skills and tools. Measure impact for targeted subgroups such as youth, women, educators, and entrepreneurs. • Mid-course review to establish a model for Community Center expansion and replication

6. Connected Community Centers Knowledge & Learning layers • Graphic Design Training Sessions • A+ Training Sessions • Awareness Raising using ICT facilities • Developing documentary about the region • Language Sessions using ICT The submitted and approved projects included different components such as:

7. Thank you Connected Community Centers

8. LEA 2007 Learning Enhances Awareness

9. Learning Enhances Awareness - LEA • LEA major goals: • Introduce ICT into classrooms • Build and encourage the use of ICT by teachers and students in each school • Integrating it into teaching methodologies.

10. Learning Enhances Awareness - LEA LEA includes a four-phase approach to be implemented in different schools around Lebanon in order to build ICT capacity and introduce ICT use in schools in a simplified manner. These phases are as follows: Phase I:Providing projection facilities and connecting labs to the Internet Phase II:Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building Phase III:Technology Center Lab Phase IV:Technical Support Team

11. LEA Objectives The project aspires to update ICT connectivity in educational institutions in Lebanon and establish greater interest in ICT in the education and development sectors by: • Providing a forum for the presentation of both problems and solutions to the application of ICT in education. • Bringing technology into classrooms by increasing the understanding of ICT technologies for both teachers and students. • Integrating ICT lab into a sustainable educational system

12. LEA Objectives The attendees from each school have to be: 6 school teachers (3 for the introduction level and 3 for the Intermediate level and the Lab) and 10 students (5 for the introduction level and 5 for the Intermediate level and the Lab). The distribution of schools to be trained will be as follows: 2 schools in Chouf, 1 school in Zgharta, 2 schools in Tripoli and 2 schools in Akkar. The location of the schools to be trained in the same region must be within the same geographical area.

13. LEA Scope II. Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building I. Providing projection facilities and connecting labs to the Internet IV. Technical Support Team III. Technology Center Lab

14. PHASE I:Providing projection facilities and connecting labs to the Internet Some equipment, such as projectors and laptops, is required in order to facilitate better technology use in classrooms. Easy to carry and install into classrooms, teachers will use them to teach, thus creating an enabling environment for ICT. All schools to receive assistance already have a computer lab. Our motive is to ensure internet connectivity for all lab computers, upgrade the labs’ usefulness by the provision of projectors, and making the labs accessible for all students.

15. PHASE II: Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building • A variety of workshop sessions will be provided during this phase, intended for school teachers and students: • 1- Introduction sessions for IT fundamentals • 2- IT Intermediate sessions • 3- Lab sessions (A+) • 4- The Learning Enhances Awareness (LEA) Model • The LEA concept involves: • Developing the ICT skills and capacities of teachers and students in schools; • Making school labs operational; • Maintaining ICT equipment at optimum levels; and • Providing incentives to maintain quality operations over the long-term.

16. PHASE II: Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building • The LEA Model facilitates ICT’s adoption within schools by integrating it into classroom teaching and combining presentation facilities, course syllabi and internet access to encourage the use of educational programs. • The training will group 16 people (6 teachers & 10 students) from each school. • 8 people (3 teachers & 5 students) with a basic knowledge level in ICT will attend the Introductory sessions; • 8 people (3 teachers & 5 students) with a fair ICT knowledge level will attend the Intermediate sessions, the Lab sessions and the LEA MODEL to be able to take over the support and maintenance functions in each school on an ongoing basis.

17. PHASE II: Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building A. Introduction Session: Fundamental applications overview provides beginners an introduction to the PC, primary software applications, enabling them to feel at ease with it use. Timing: 4 x ½ Days

18. PHASE II: Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building B. Intermediate sessions Create awareness about available tools and software applications to help intermediate PC users benefit from advanced software packages. Timing: 2 x ½ Days

19. PHASE II: Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building C. Lab sessions These sessions will build skills at managing and solving laboratory problems and daily troubleshooting operations. Timing: 2 x ½ Days

20. PHASE II: Workshop Sessions & Capacity Building D. The MODEL This session aims to establish a team of 4 people at each school, including one teacher and three students, who will oversee ICT troubleshooting operations, and keep ICT labs functioning. Timing: 2 x ½ Days

21. Phase III: Technology Center Lab • A technology center lab team would promote technology use in classrooms by providing teachers assistance in helping them integrate the computer labs at schools into their teaching plans. • A team of 4 people per school, composed of one teacher and three students, would be created. • Team members would be chosen from those who were previously trained (16 persons), depending on their accomplishment level and the evaluations they received. • The team will assist the school teachers prepare documentation using computers, and will help them procure and install the required equipments in their classrooms. • The responsible teacher will recommend students to be one of the 3 to be trained. • Students involved will be rotated every month for creativity and innovation purposes.

22. Phase IV: Technical Support Team • As regular maintenance is very important for the proper functioning of computer labs, an on-site maintenance and technical support team will be built. • The successful 8 trainees (3 teachers & 5 students) of the Intermediate sessions who attended the Lab sessions and the LEA MODEL will be able to handle on the spot any computer deficiency (hardware & software). They will also be responsible for the maintenance of all onsite computers.

23. Expected Outcomes • The LEA MODEL application will develop ICT communities in the schools, support the bridging process between technology and education, and monitor the long term application of ICT in schools through: • Bringing technology into classrooms and increasing the understanding of ICT technologies for both teachers and students; • Providing 16 certified persons per school to handle the implementation and follow-up of the LEA Model, thus ensuring long-term impact; • Upgrade non-operational labs through the acquired troubleshooting sessions; • Update ICT connectivity in educational institutions in Lebanon and establish greater interest in ICT in the education and development sectors; and • Integrate sustainable systems through the development of a manual which will facilitate the ongoing application of the LEA MODEL.

24. Expected Outcomes • Our work has demonstrated the role that ICT can play in making Lebanese communities dynamic and competitive. • We now seek to take the same approach to the educational sector, expanding the program to ensure that Lebanese schools are also taking advantage of ICT opportunities available to them.

25. Appendix One: Background on LEA System

26. THANK YOU

27. IJMA3 Scope