Planner resources

• Infobits. This site monitors and selects from a number of information technology and instruction technology sources and provides brief notes for electronic dissemination to educators. Here you find all notes online, and how to subscribe to this free service

• Association for Educational Communications and Technology. The mission of the AECT is to provide leadership in educational communications and technology by linking professionals holding a common interest in the use of educational technology and its application to the learning process.

• Engines for Education. A "hyper-book" by The Institute for the Learning Sciences about what's wrong with the education system, how to reform it, and especially, about the role of educational technology in that reform.

• Colorado University Online. Ever thought it would be possible to study on-line for a complete degree? Here you go...

• UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). A network of schools throughout the world, launched in 1953. ASP promotes education for peace, tolerance and international understanding in order to prepare children and young people to meet the pressing challenges facing humanity as we are about to enter the twenty-first century. ASPnet aims at mobilizing schools throughout the world with a view to undertaking pilot projects to strengthen the role of education in promoting a culture of peace and tolerance. Twinning between participating schools and exchanges of materials, teachers and students is an integral part of ASPnet activities.

• Electronic Learning Forum. Some background info and theoretical positions regarding Distance Education. A site to check out if you want to know more about ICTs and DE, DL, MOOs, WOOs, VLEs, MUDs. Clear? No? Check it out.

• Assistive Technology Web Report. An independent Web newsletter to help inform anyone with an interest in or need for more information concerning assistive technologies or related resources for disabled persons. In addition, it provides informational links to AT-related online resources, organizations, regional centers, publications, vendors, and conferences.

• Volunteers in Technical Assistance. For 34 years, VITA has been helping people in developing countries improve the quality of their lives through the provision of information services. VITA's oldest service, the Inquiry Service, enlists VITA volunteers to answer requests about a variety of development issues that come from around the world. Information is disseminated further by VITA's weekly Voice of America radio program and VITA's electronic newsletter. VITA also offers information management courses.
  In order to facilitate the transfer of information, VITA developed a global communications program -- VITAcomm. VITAcomm consists of digital low earth orbiting satellite and terrestrial radio systems, as well as electronic mail/bulletin board networks. VITAcomm technologies can be used anywhere in the world -- even where suitable telephone links and standard electrical grids are not available.

• Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Established on 30 November 1965, is a chartered inter-governmental organization. It aims to promote regional cooperation among its Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and Associate Member Countries in order to assist the governments of Southeast Asia to develop expertise and excellence in education, science and culture for the promotion of an enlightened and productive citizenry in their respective countries and for furthering the quality of life of all the peoples in the region.

• DevMedia. Devmedia began as an e-mail listserve in 1994 to help exchange information on "Media for Development and Democracy." Now, with Devmedia web site they have a variety of new ways to stay informed and share information. List listserve members and Devmedia web site users generally include people interested in participatory and community uses of media: radio, video TV, and the Internet. (in English, French and Spanish!)

• 2B1. There is a new force in the world: the growth of cyberspace. Inherent in this force is a breakdown in barriers of geography, age, economics, gender and culture. Sounds very LWF?

• Challenges to Academic Networks in Latin America: The Case of Colombia's Red CETCOL. A full text version of a thorough analysis of the situation in Colombia from Harvard University (Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas). Political, technical, theoretical and practical dimensions are analysed (see also the site Red Caldas elsewhere in this list. Is this the true picture?
  This article, and others with usefull information about telecomunications and developing countries, can be accessed also through General Network Information

• Reinventing Schools - The technology is now!. Dr. Arthur Clarke speaking from Sri Lanka on the role of information technology, telecommunications, and entertainment in K-12 education. (RealAudio Plugin required)

• Connected magazine. "... decision-making requires the creation of suitable frameworks for knowledge to be shared and developed in collaboration with others. Writing, e-mail, the Web as well as face-to-face meetings, conferences and seminars are the tools used. Writing in this context takes on the form of an on-going dialogue in the search of an increasingly clear understanding of the way things are." Connected provides a platform for exactly that suitable framework the initiator talks about. A comprehensive site with a miriad of articles raising basic questions about cyberspace, and its use. (Aussi des recources en Français!!)

• The Communication Initiative. A site worth exploring because of its interesting commitment and orientation to improve strategic communication thinking on development issues. The site provides information, ideas, linkages and dialogue on communication, development and change. A subscribtion service makes that you regularly receive relevant information by email on these issues.

• TeachNet. Contains a searchable database of about 500 classroom projects, each battle tested and easy to use. TeachNet is a site/network for teachers, independent and non-profit, that supports innovative teachers who exemplify professionalism, independence, and creativity in public school systems. (Warning: US-oriented)

• Open Learning Australia. True learning, all through the web and the mail: that it is possible we know. How it can be done on a larger scale shows this site from 8 universities in a country that knows what it is talking about...

• LEARN Foundation, Bangladesh. The LEARN Foundation initiated the project in October 1997 with two old computers in a remote village school in Durgapasha, Sunamganj, about 40 KM from Sylhet town in the North Eastern part of Bangladesh - 250 miles from Dhaka. Once a week, on Fridays that is the official holiday in Bangladesh, the Foundation arranged computer-based instructions for children between age 10-16. The LEARN Foundation is a private non-profit charity trust, which aims to enduringly strengthen the ability of rural children in Bangladesh to acquire modern Information Technology and functional English skills through innovative network learning models. Read more on this site!

• IMS - Defining the Internet Architecture for learning. IMS is a global coalition of academic, commercial and government organizations, working together to define the Internet architecture for learning.

• Internet connectivity in Africa in April 1998. A thorough overview of the status of connectivity on the African continent. All you want to know about how the continent connects, backbone development, VSAT technology, pricing, market forces at work, and more. Also access to an overview of maps showing recent and old connectivity status on the continent

• Integrated Rural Development and Universal Access. "Most of the populations of developing countries live in rural and often isolated areas. This is also where most of the resources are located. Access to information and telecommunications is essential for development of such areas but is still inadequate or non-existing." This site outlines the programme of activities as carried out by the ITU, the International Telecommunication Union.

• The US Department of Education. No comment, just an interesting site.

• LearnLink. LearnLink strengthens learning systems essential for sustainable development, using culturally appropriate communication and educational technologies. This includes applying technologies to link individuals, groups and organizations, and to build the capacity of people to access the resources they need to meet their learning needs, particularly those associated with basic education.

• About Self Directed Learning: ED312457 89 Supporting and Facilitating Self-Directed Learning. ERIC Digest No. 93.. A digest of an articel that provides some insight in institutional and other requirements to establish an environment where self-directed learning can take place. Quite some requirements... Author: Lowry, Cheryl Meredith

• International Centre for Distance Learning. (ICDL). The International Centre for Distance Learning is a documentation centre specialising in collecting and disseminating information on distance education worldwide. NOW featuring: the Distance Education Database on-line. Part of the UK Open University.

• European Association for the Education of Adults. An association of non-governmental organisations actively involved in the development of adult education throughout Europe. The EAEA promotes the development of adult education, encourages cooperation in adult education at a European level, and lobbies international bodies so that they adopt plans and policies which respond to the needs of the adult population in Europe.

• Conexiones. Un ambiente de aprendizaje basado en tecnologías de información y comunicaciones. Conexiones es un proyecto de investigación en Informática Educativa de ámbito regional colombiano, que se desarrolla en la Universidad EAFIT, en la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Medellín y en la Caja de Compensación Familiar COMFAMA, con apoyo de COLCIENCIAS y otros organismos nacionales e internacionales.
  CONEXIONES seeks to develop collaborative learning environments based on an education for a sustainable future, where information and communication technologies are incorporated into basic curriculums in order to improve the quality and equity of Colombian education

• "Little Engines that Did" - Case Histories from the Global Telecentre Movement. An 80-page report on a series of case studies involving 10 telecentres around the world, by Richard Fuchs

• Global Distance Learner Channel. A vastly expanding resource with links, courses, ideas, co-production proposals, and more.

• United Nations Youth Information Network (UNYIN). The United Nations Youth Information Network (UNYIN) is a global electronic network, established by the United Nations in 1996. It has been set up to enhance awareness of the global situation of youth and increase recognition of the rights and aspirations of youth; to promote national youth policies in cooperation with both governmental and non-governmental youth organizations; to strengthen the participation of youth in decision-making processes at all levels; to encourage mutual respect and understanding and peace among youth.

• Commonwealth of Learning. A comprehensive site with documentation, resources, links to distance education sources all over the Commonwealth. They have a page with global distance education sources, providing links to relevant institutions, as well as a SchoolNet Resource Centre where you are able to find lots of useful information and resources.

• Big Sky Telegraph. By demonstrating how all citizens can be both learner and teacher, this network (which started as a rural network) demonstrates how ongoing knowledge access, skill training, and citizen evaluation of highest value resources, can become a vehicle for rehumanizing and revitalizing communities of all descriptions. The site offers a variety of services, including teaching local communities how to use the Internet. Connects educators by way of the Telnet function to the Internet, as well as to research information and professional development resources.

• Research Center of Information Technologies and Participatory Democracy (CITIDEP) click para versão portuguesa [VOOR]. Research Center on Information Technologies and Participatory Democracy The Center has as its primary objectives to foster citizenship, protect our heritage and the environment, studying and promoting processes of participatory democracy, especially through the research and development of new information technologies and political, administrative and planning frameworks that facilitate these processes.

• Centre for Research in International Education. The goals of the Centre for Research in International Education are to promote national and international research collaboration on any issues related to intercultural relations, international education and the globalisation of education through information technology.

• International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet. The Center's mission is to collect and present as many disability-related Internet resources as there are available, including resources directly related to disabilities and other resources that may be helpful to the disability community. These resources will be presented in a manner that is accessible to a wide and varied audience. The Center will develop and make available to users the techniques used to make these presentations and will assist those who wish to use our methods. The Center's scope is international.

• Conectándonos al futuro. The mandate of this project is to conduct a participatory exercise to design a national strategy for building a learning society in El Salvador.
  En Español: El objetivo de este proyecto es la formulación participativa de una estrategia nacional para forjar una sociedad de aprendizaje en El Salvador.

• Information and Communication Technologies in the Education System. Action plan for 1998-2003. The Danish Ministry of Education hereby published on-line the combined strategies and action plans for the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the education system in the period 1998-2003. The strategy describes five central areas, where quite a number of ICT-initiatives will be implemented during the next five years. This site is included here as an example of how such a strategy could look.

• International Development Network. Information resources for sustainable development. A very richt and up to date site!

• Distance Education at a Glance. Everything you ever wanted to know about Distance Education, but could find no-one to ask: In order to help teachers, administrators, facilitators, and students understand distance education, the Engineering Outreach Department at the University of Idaho has developed this Distance Education at a Glance series of guides.

• Red de Complejidad, Caos, Creatividad y otros temas transdisciplinarios (REDCOM). Redcom no es una Institución, tampoco es algo sólido ni jerárquico, Redcom es y busca ser un ESPACIO VIRTUAL de interconexión de investigadores interesados en Complejidad, Caos, Creatividad y otros temas transdisciplinarios. Redcom aspira a no tener un cerebro central, ni una memoria, ni estatutos, ni programas. Redcom es más un Rizoma, una dinámica, un campo de energías en movimiento permanente.

• World Lecture Hall. Contains links to pages created by faculty world-wide who are using the Web to deliver class materials. You will find course syllabi, assignments, lecture notes, exams, class calendars, multimedia textbooks, etc.

• The "No Significant Difference Phenomenon". This site provides selected entries from the book, "The No Significant Difference Phenomenon" as reported in 355 research reports, summaries and papers -- a comparative research bibliography on technology for distance education.

• McREL - Technology Integration. The authors claim that these pages provide some of the best online resources available to help educators, administrators, and parents answer common questions and solve problems related to the implementation and use of technology in education. They may be right!

• Fundación Omar Dengo. The Foundation Omar Dengo is a pioneer in the introduction of computer technologies, innovative educational programs and new learning environments into the country's public elementary schools system. It stimulates learning processes, creativity and development of thinking skills in public education and in the different situations in which learning takes place.
  En Español: La Fundación Omar Dengo (FOD) es una institución privada, sin fines de lucro que fue creada en 1987 con el propósito de contribuir al desarrollo educativo,cultural, científico y tecnológico de Costa Rica.

• Arab World. The online resource for the Arab World in the Middle East and North Africa. An extensive site! Check out the 'contents' page and be impressed of what there is to learn about the Arab World.

• Junior Summit. Junior Summit '98 took place from 15 to 21 November 1998 and was aimed at all children, those who use a computer on a daily basis and those who don't know what a computer is, those who struggle to exist on the margins of their society and those who receive every benefit their society has to give.

• International Institute for Communication and Development. Its mission is to provide advice and information on aspects related to the application of information and communication technology in the South.

• Model Nets. A national US study of networking technology in K-12 education: Handy for planners, implementers and others involved with computers, ICTs and education.

• Techknowlogia. TechKnowLogia is an international online journal that provides policy makers, strategists, practitioners and technologists at the local, national and global levels with a strategic forum to: Explore the vital role of different information technologies (print, audio, visual and digital) in the development of human and knowledge capital; Share policies, strategies, experiences and tools in harnessing technologies for knowledge dissemination, effective learning, and efficient education services; Review the latest systems and products of technologies of today, and peek into the world of tomorrow; and Exchange information about resources, knowledge networks and centers of expertise.

• Averroès Foundation. This foundation develops, assists and evaluates programmes in the field of Early Child Development for (minority) children and their parents. Learning Without Frontiers is currently setting up a project in Egypt to test and revise the methodology in another cultural setting

• INFO 21. This site is designed as a repository and resource website for a broad range of IT issues for development practitioners, especially in the field, but also for researchers and policy makers . It provides a host of hyperlinks under each section - e.g. regions, sectors (including education, commerce, community centers) but also UN/UNDP and non-UN activities.

• Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections. The IECC (Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections) mailing lists are provided by St. Olaf College as a free service to help teachers and classes link with partners in other countries and cultures for e-mail classroom pen-pal and project exchanges.

• AVIVA, Women's World Wide Web. A free 'Webzine', being run by an International group of women based in London. It provides free monthly listings of women's groups & events worldwide. Aviva needs the input of groups and individuals around the world to provide information for free listings and offers to act as Website 'host' to Women's Groups and Services globally. Check out this site!

• Specialized teleCenters Of Professional Education (SCOPE). A non-profit developer of community-based telecenters worldwide for both urban and rural venues with a focus on underserved populations, particularly women, children and the disabled. In partnership with local communities using an innovative, grassroots approach, including the "televillage concept," Project SCOPE establishes telecenters which ensure universal access for all to education, training, community redevelopment, public health, and economic development programs via appropriate technology. Additionally, Project SCOPE telecenters will create "cultural connections" to provide a voice for each culture individually but designed for sharing and interaction with all cultures.

• SOCRATES. This European programme is part of a broader strategy to promote the concept of lifelong learning in response to constantly evolving education and training needs. The programme interacts closely with other initiatives at European level, notably the LEONARDO DA VINCI programme for vocational training, YOUTH FOR EUROPE III, various components of the Fourth Research and Development Framework Programme, and EU actions in favour of disadvantaged persons and the promotion of equality of opportunity. Check out the Home Page of Directorate-General XII for more information on Europe's programmes on Education, Training and Youth

• INNODATA. This is a database aimed at educational policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers and journalists. It can assist in the identification and monitoring of new experiences and approaches in education and the promotion of exchanges of information about educational change. This thorough work is done by the International Bureau of Education (IBE), which is a UNESCO affiliated institution.

• Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow. ACOT is a research and development collaboration among public schools, universities, research agencies, and Apple Computer, Inc. Initiated in 1985, ACOT began its work in seven classrooms that represented a cross section of America's elementary and secondary schools. Its goal was to study how the routine use of technology by teachers and students might change teaching and learning. We include this link because we think it provides very interesting experiences in how information and communication technologies do change cultures of schooling into cultures of learning.

• Enlaces Coordinación Nacional. Una iniciativa del Ministerio de Educación de Chile. Este se inició en 1993 como un proyecto piloto que buscaba identificar los roles, impactos, costos y beneficios que tiene el uso de computadores y telecomunicaciones en las escuelas chilenas. A partir de 1995, Enlaces se transformó en un proyecto de cobertura nacional tanto para Educación Básica como para Media.

• TERC. A nonprofit research and development organization committed to improving mathematics and science learning and teaching. Founded in 1965, TERC is internationally recognized for creating innovative curricula, fostering teacher professional development, pioneering creative uses of technology in education, contributing to educators' understanding of learning and teaching, and developing equitable opportunities for underserved learners. A truely inspiring site!

• Review of Secondary Netcourses and Virtual Schools. An overview of the current state of virtual secondary schools for those wishing to explore the possibilities of the use of information and communication technologies in education and learning. Although the authors made a serious attempt to be comprehensive, there may be ommissions. You are invited by the authors to provide updates and additions!

• National Center on Adult Literacy. The National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL) seeks to improve the quality of adult literacy programs and services on a nationwide basis by means of applied research and development and dissemination of the results.

• The World Bank. With a search engine that allows you to search the very elaborate site for keywords of your interest. Try "learning" for example, and find a whole list of relevant documents and links.

• Moderators. Resources for Moderators and Facilitators of Online Discussion. This page is a growing set of resources for moderators and moderators-to-be of online discussion in both academic and non-academic settings, including full text articles.

• "No Back Roads". It is very American, but also very rural. Maybe not even soo much different from the remote areas of the country you happen to live in. Read in a wide collection of stories on how the the Internet and World Wide Web are influencing rural America.

• The Learning Corps. Learning without frontiers in action. This site embodies an interesting approach to organizing a learning environment. Or is it something else? A recent initiative with intreaging ideas.

• The International Development Research Centre. Canada (French version). IDRC (CRDI en Français) is a public corporation created by the Canadian government to help communities in the developing world find solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems through research. IDRC also maintains information networks and forges linkages that allow Canadians and their Southern partners to benefit equally from a global sharing of knowledge. Also information in Spanish.

• Global Education Partnership. The underlying philosophy of empowerment that permeates the programs that G.E.P. offers in low-income communities in the U.S. and in developing countries is that sustainable development - where people can access and then re-create opportunities to both excel personally and improve their communities - is only possible if the people that ultimately benefit from a program are viewed not as recipients of the program, but as participants in designing and implementing a program to suit their needs.

• Consortium international francophone de formation à distance - CIFFAD. Ce réseau d'établissements de formation à distance francophones vous donne accès à un véritable carrefour virtuel de la formation à distance en francophonie. La mission du site est : "... d'être un carrefour virtuel francophone utile et convivial servant d'espace de synergie pour le développement de la formation à distance en général et de la formation à distance par le biais des nouvelles technologies de l'information et des communications en particulier au sein de l'espace francophone".
  Vous y découvrirez entre autres choses une boîte à outils pour la formation à distance comprenant entre autres :
  • Découvrir Internet : modules d'autoformation pour la francophonie "; formation en ligne;
  • Guide d'élaboration et de mise en œuvre de politiques nationales de formation à distance en ligne;
  • Manuel de formation à distance de l'alphabétiseur en ligne;
  • Observatoire de ressources francophones pour la formation à distance (ORFFAD);
  • Base de données sur la formation à distance en francophonie (organismes et établissements, cours, produits et experts) en ligne;
  • Premier Guide électronique du Multimédia francophone pour l'Enseignement du Français Langue étrangère en ligne.