12 independent schools to adopt Knowledge Net learning system

Source: Qatar Tribune
As part of its efforts to integrate ICT in Qatari schools, ictQATAR announced today that 12 Independent Schools will adopt School Knowledge Net as a framework to build a web-based learning environment.

Knowledge Net is a learning management system that manages students’ learning needs and provides a platform for three-way communication between students, teachers and parents. For schools to be ICT integrated as defined by the national e-Education Strategy, five areas must be developed. That is, IT infrastructure (Hardware and networking), instructional and learning resources (i.e., e-content and e-library), professional development (to ensure innovative teaching) as well as planning and leadership.

“Knowledge Net provides a standard interface for addressing and sharing education applications and student data for more accurate, more secure, and more accessible information to support achievement,” said Dr. Mohamed Al-Ansari, e-Education Manager. He adds, “This is one of the innovations that ictQATAR is promoting in the Qatari schools to take the quality of education up to new frontiers.”

Early this year ictQATAR began piloting solutions to find the most convenient and user-friendly educational portal for students, teachers and parents. Learning Gateway, a Microsoft solution, has proved to be the most suitable for Qatari schools.

From now on, interested parents will have accounts to access Knowledge Net and view school assignments and resources from anywhere. Parents will be able to communicate with the teachers through Instant Messages, email and discussion boards.

ictQATAR is providing all the necessary support to ensure conformity with the Independent Schools educational philosophy. A joint committee has been recently established which includes members from ictQATAR and the Supreme Education Council to follow up on the project implementation. By next year, ictQATAR will support the SEC to carry out the rolling out of “Knowledge Net” to more preparatory and secondary independent schools.

ictQATAR has started a series of specialized training for teachers in an attempt to help them adopt innovative teaching methods through integrating ICT into teaching and learning.

The training aims to equip teachers with the required skills to manage time and reduce paperwork by facilitating homework administration, grading, lesson plan development, and exam delivery. “Through pedagogical training, we will help teachers grasp benefits of integrating ICT into education. Teachers will be effective in how to assess using online technologies, conduct evaluations and polls for students and parents, and assess responses to surveys”, said Reem Al-Mansouri, Knowledge Net project manager at ictQATAR.