Relief International - Schools Online

Partnership and participation have been key strategies for working to make IT education fit seamlessly within Bangladesh's traditional educational system. RI-SOL has worked closely with the Bangladeshi Ministry of Education to complement existing academic programming. There has also been a process of close collaboration with secondary school teachers and RI-SOL's own educational staff. Instruction of teachers and school administrators is a prominent part of the project. Through this training, RI-SOL hopes to introduce teaching methodologies that promote student participation, creativity, and analytic thinking skills. RI-SOL implements its own syllabus and assists teachers in integrating technology into their existing curricula.

Organisers have attempted to make lessons and methods locally relevant by developing technical solutions and adaptations. Beyond translating materials into Bangla, RI-SOL has tried to make the lessons work within a Bangladeshi context. For instance, it has created technical solutions meant to be appropriate for Bangladesh, such as web-based methods that incorporate UTF-8 encoded Bangla. In addition, RI-SOL has adapted its technology by modifying collaboration-based projects for low bandwidth conditions, increasing use of offline and asynchronously online resources, crafting solutions to address intermittent power and network outages, and using several last-mile solutions depending on specific installation requirements.

Intercultural exchange is a key component of the project. Students at ILCs participate in project-based and collaborative learning projects, often in conjunction with other ILCs throughout the world. In addition, RI-SOL is drawing on the Global Connections and Exchange Program. Sponsored by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this intercultural programme is designed to enhance youth educational opportunities by facilitating access to technology and internet resources, by providing teacher training, and by stimulating collaborative online projects for students. The project develops civic participation and engagement among youth through educational projects based on community involvement, global citizenship, awareness of current events, and cross-cultural issues. Specifically, schools participated in projects comparing food and folklore around the world, looking at the role of media in society, and exploring ways in which youth can become involved in community service through volunteerism and community projects. Future modules will address other academic and social topics, many of which will focus on development issues and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Beyond this type of virtual exchange, RI-SOL is involved in several face-to-face exchanges. As part of the Global Connections and Exchange Program, teachers from Bangladesh visit the USA, studying teaching methodologies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It is anticipated that US teachers will make a reciprocal visit to Bangladesh to share best practices and observe teaching in Bangladeshi schools. Students from the USA and Bangladesh will also participate in the LINC (learning, individuals, knowledge & culture) programme, also sponsored by the US State Department. Eight students from each country will visit their partner country for a 3 week immersive experience.

Education, Technology, Intercultural Communication.

As of April 2006, RI-SOL has established five operational clusters of ILCs centred on Dhaka, Comilla, Chittagong, Jessore and Rajshahi. Presently, 26 centres are in operation. In all, the project affords internet access to more than 80,000 Bangladeshi students through 200 workstations. Additional schools continue to be added as the project grows.

RI-SOL resulted from the merger of two USA-based agencies: Relief International (RI), whose expertise is in the implementation of community development programming, and Schools Online (SOL). Founded in 1996, SOL works to promote and integrate IT in learning. Over 5,700 schools in the USA (principally in the Appalachia and Indian reservations) and 1,300 schools in approximately 40 countries have received computers and internet connectivity. To ensure long-term sustainability, SOL programmes are designed with the participation of teachers, schools administrators, local communities, and relevant governmental agencies.