Efem Nkanga
11 June 2008
Lagos — The Vice President and Corporate Affairs Manager of Intel Corporation, Mr. Will Swope, has stressed that Africa needs digital infrastructure on which the global economy runs to drive its development.
Swope, who stated this at the formal launch of a local digital content summit in Ghana recently, reiterated that science and mathematics are the crucial elements needed for the rapid development of Africa.
The solutions required in solving the main challenges facing Africa and indeed the World today calls for the application of Maths and Science, he reiterated. "The world economy runs on a digital infrastructure. Maths and science are fundamental for achieving growth and finding solutions. If we want to solve the world's problems such as population growth, global warming, alternative fuel etc, It requires scientific advances. The world needs creative thinkers and Africa also needs creative thinkers. Maths and science can help in this process.
"It is therefore crucial to train and equip teachers, so that they can teach more effectively and avoid too many young people especially Africa from running away from maths and science." Swope said.
He added: "The knowledge economy is a reality" emphasised that Intel will use the opportunity presented by the summit to create and cultivate knowledge and the capability to advance social and economic well-being in Ghana.
He disclosed that "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."
Swope also emphasised that Intel as part of the Intel World Ahead Programme and in line with its continued effort to provide students with the crucial tools to succeed in the global arena, is collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MOESS) and the Ministry of Communication (MOC) for the launch in Ghana its localised digital education content platform.
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, he emphasised.
"Skooo offers maths and science modules tailored to 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 skooo 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 center study notes, exam guides for maths and integrated science, as well as study and revision tips. Intel supports a 3600 student- centered 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 capability development in Ghana by making the best localised digital content available to the youth of the country.
"Student motivation increases significantly with the ability to interact communicate and collaborate through technology. In order to compete and succeed at international level, students need to be comfortable with technology and include it in their everyday life," said Dr. Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, the Minister of Communications.
The deployment of skoool Ghana has been in the pipeline for almost two years and its realisation marks a giant step forward for African education, he stated.
The skoool content 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 with government ministries, private sector sponsors, independent software vendors and NGOs in order to ensure a successful programme.
As part of the Intel Education Initiative, it invests $100 million per year in education in collaboration with governments and educators in 50 countries. Intel has trained almost 5 million teachers in more than 35.
In the next five years, Intel plans to train 10 million more teachers on the effective use of technology in education, with the possibility of reaching another one billion students. To support the effective use of technology in education, Intel plans to donate 100,000 PCs to classrooms in developing communities.
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