ICDL GCC Foundation has recently signed a strategic MoU with Mosaica Education (MEI), to jointly develop ICDL Education Unit designed to help educators become skilled in employing technology in the classroom.

With the governing body and certification authority of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program in the Gulf and Iraq, signing the memorandum with the established provider of school management, curriculum and professional development programs for educators, the educational sector in the GCC region is expected to receive a major boost in digital competency among educators and learners with the development of a specific courseware that integrates ICT concepts into education.

The partnership underlines the significant impact of technology on effective schooling. Under the proposed agreement, ICDL and MEI will jointly develop and pursue programs that help educators acquire the skills to employ technology in the classroom in an effort to improve students’ learning and achievement, a statement from the company said.

Jamil Ezzo, director general, ICDL GCC Foundation, said: “We recognise that education is the most important factor for socioeconomic development; and that teachers play a direct role in the learning process and development of students. We have made it our policy since our inception, to build and strengthen our strategic partnerships with key players in the education industry.

“Mosaica’s expertise in the field of school management, curriculum and professional development programmes will complement our undertaking in enhancing the ICT skills of students and educators as well as employing the use of technology in the classroom,” he said.

Kenneth Knox, director of partnership development Mena, MEI Abu Dhabi, said: “The partnership between Mosaica Education and ICDL GCC Foundation represents an important step forward for both organisations. Mosaica Education operates and supports over 90 schools globally, and has been repeatedly recognised for its successes in developing schools and enhancing student achievement.”

“By combining Mosaica’s expertise in the field of education with ICDL’s influence on IT competency standards, we are able to provide the necessary resources and skills to support learners and educators to thrive in the imminent transformation of education for the 21st Century,” Knox added.

MEI seeks to promote ICT skills based on the ICDL qualification in Mosaica schools and programs by developing a specific Education Unit in line with the ICDL syllabus aimed at educators.

The not-for-profit school company will also produce courseware and develop test scripts and exercises according to the latest ICDL syllabus for the assessment of the Education Unit.

Additionally, a separate courseware will be developed by MEI for the 7 ICDL core units targeting pupils in the 11 to 18 age group, to be created with age appropriate instructions and examples.

MEI, which currently operates 90 schools and online educational programs for over 38,000 students across the US, Middle East, Turkey and India, will review and update all materials at review points set by ICDL on an annual basis. MEI will also project manage the production of the materials to ensure that they adhere to ICDL’s international quality standards and are produced according to the agreed timeline, the statement said.

Endorsed by over 22,000 renowned academic institutions around the world, ICDL is recognised as the de facto standard in basic ICT skills and is often used as a descriptor for digital literacy.

Over 100,000 teachers in the GCC region have received ICDL certification through mandates or ministerial initiatives. Through the new partnership, both ICDL and MEI are seeking to increase the employability of technology in the classroom to enrich the educational experience of students and increase the productivity of teachers across the region, it said. – TradeArabia News Service