UNESCO. General Conference; 36th; 36 C/5: volume 1: Draft ...

UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies
in Education (IITE)
01401 As UNESCO’s specialized resource centre and provider of technical support and expertise in the area of
information and communication technologies (ICTs) usage in education, the IITE, within its status and
functions, supports bridging the digital divide in education and building inclusive knowledge societies
by reinforcing national capacities in promoting e-environments for increasing access to education and
lifelong learning, facilitating policy dialogue, and initiating development of national strategies on the
application of ICTs in education.
01402 In line with UNESCO’s priorities and strategic programme objectives for 2008–2013, as set in its
Medium-Term Strategy (34 C/4), the IITE will continue to support Member States in the area of ICTs
in education, particularly in evidence-based policy development and implementation, teacher training
and increasing access to education for all by means of ICTs.
01403 In 2012–2013, the IITE will contribute directly to MLA 1, and indirectly influence progress towards the
achievement of the expected results of the other MLAs. The Institute will consolidate its efforts around
two main modes of intervention: supporting policy research, advocacy and dialogue on ICT usage in
education; and developing capacities in Member States on ICTs in education. The priority areas of work
will include:
(1) strengthening the knowledge and skills of policy-makers and educational professionals on ICTs
in education through policy dialogue, high-level policy advice, improving access and exchange
of information on ICTs in education;
(2) developing and implementing advanced online/offline training courses and programmes for
educators on ICT in Education, including an International Advanced Training Programme
(at master level) on ICT applications in teachers’ professional development. The Institute
will provide further impetus for gender and ICT initiatives for the empowerment of women,
especially women teachers;
(3) fostering ICT-enhanced learning through knowledge sharing, Open Educational Resources
(OER), networking and cooperation; and
(4) reinforcing and updating UNESCO Chairs’ network operating in the field of ICTs in education
and teacher training, as well as the network of UNESCO Associated Schools working in this
field.
01404 The IITE’s programmes and activities will cover relevant issues of ICT application at all stages and in all
forms of education – from early childhood to higher education. It will continue to develop policy briefs,
analytical surveys and training materials for educators and top educational managers. The IITE will
also prepare a high-level training module on national policy for ICTs in education for policy-makers
and top managers. It will continue to support Member States in using ICTs for inclusive education,
with the aim of expanding the learning opportunities to excluded groups of children. Acting as a
clearinghouse, the IITE will expand its publication activities and prepare and disseminate educational
materials, handbooks and toolkits in the field of open educational resources (OERs), teacher training
in pre-school, primary and higher education, and research findings in the field of new learning ICTenhanced
methodologies.
61 36 C/5 – Major Programme I