The Swiss way ahead in e-learning…

The year 2008 has seen a further increase in the uptake of the Swiss educational platform called educanet2, which is now used by over 3,000 schools, 100,000 teachers and 332,000 students in more than 25,000 classes. This online platform for collaborative working is based on technology developed by the German DigiOnline company and run by the Swiss Educational Server. Although its use is not compulsory, its success is growing month after month, as the services educanet2 offers are very valuable to schools, such as different areas for individual users, institutions, community as well as an online learning space. Among the new tools currently available, there are also featured an in-built wiki, an alert system and online surveys.

At the moment the Institute for media and Education (IMS) is carrying out a survey on educanet2, which is to be completed any time soon. It will provide a sound overview of the actual use of the portal made by schools. Its aim is to further identify variables fostering a successful use of the platform, and any differences in use at primary and secondary level.

… and work in progress for curricula harmonisation and ICT integration

The harmonisation of the different education systems in the Swiss cantons has been a major issue since 2006. The HarmoS project, led by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Education (CDIP), specifically deals with the harmonisation of the duration of each education level and the specific objectives to be attained by pupils at their end. As no national curriculum exists in Switzerland, standards in languages, maths and science at the end of the 4th, 8th and 11th grade are being set. They can be defined either in terms of content or competences (Plan d’étude romand, PER, in French-speaking cantons, and Lehrplan in German-speaking ones).

ICT is not part yet of these performance standards, but it is likely that it will be included in a second phase. However, the French-speaking curriculum (PER), which is currently in the consultation phase, considers ICT as a tool for language learning as well as an independent discipline within the field of media education. In November 2008, six cantons had ratified the HarmoS agreement, which could effectively come into force only when 10 cantons join it.

Switzerland country report:
insight.eun.org/ww/en/pub/insight/misc/country_report.cfm

A batch of new French digital projects

France has recently developed a large number of new projects and initiatives targeting the daily integration of the use of ICT in teaching and learning activities, and involving the production of adequate digital resources:

- 1000 visioconférences aims at equipping primary schools with videoconference tools to be used for improving foreign language skills;

- Videos provides teachers with a large number of video examples shot in classrooms of ICT integration in daily teaching practices;

- PrimTice is a directory of teaching scenarios focused on the use of ICT from preparatory classes to the third cycle of primary education. It has a dedicated portal.

- A USB key for teachers encourages new teachers to use digital resources by providing them with a USB key during their first year of work. The key contains subject-oriented material, examples of use, useful links, a tool box and a personal space.

- the Interactive whiteboards (IWB) project aims at implementing the use of interactive whiteboards in schools thanks to a partnership with industry.

- the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE/ENT, or Espace Numérique de Travail) project has as a target its scaling up in order to equip all the French schools with an online learning office.

- Edu’bases, the national resources database, has been largely implemented and now gathers examples of ICT good practices and lesson plans in 20 different subjects classified by school level, type of ICT activity and theme. Only in 2008 more than 11,000 lesson plans were uploaded.

ICT assessment certificate as strong driver for technology integration

The B2i, the ICT and Internet certificate created in 2000, was updated in 2006 and, since the last school year, 2007/2008, has been part of the final examination at lower secondary level. This strategy, which works as strong national driver for ICT integration in daily school activities, will be further implemented by making ICT assessment compulsory also at upper secondary level. Lower secondary pupils must now get the B2i level 2 certificate, while it should be compulsory soon for upper secondary students to get the B2i level 3 certificate in their final exam (baccalauréat). Moreover, an upper level of the same certificate, the C2i level 1, is mandatory at bachelor level to enter teacher training institutes (IUFM).

France country report:
http://insight.eun.org/ww/en/pub/insight/misc/country_report.cfm

The latest country reports
http://insight.eun.org/ww/en/pub/insight/policy/policies/country_reports_2008.htm