Teachers undergoing training on the use of Internet and Communications Technology.

DOHA: Teachers at independent schools in the country will be trained on the use of Internet and Communications Technology (ICT) into the curriculum and as a teaching tool under the Knowledge Net (K-Net) project the Supreme Council for Internet and Communications Technology (ictQatar) has embarked upon, a press release, said yesterday.

"The Knowledge-Net Project is one of the charters of the overall drive in ictQATAR's e-Education initiative. It entails the implementation of learning management systems to enhance the teaching and learning process.

The teacher training marks the first step in empowering teachers in integrating ICT in education. The first such session ends on February 8.

The School Knowledge-Net focuses on promoting the development of educational content, portals, applications and knowledge bases. It also facilitates the integration of ICT tools into education through; enhancing teaching activities, improving the learning experience, facilitating the administration's intervention," the release, added.

ictQATAR has recruited Microsoft and Edutech for the delivery of two learning management systems – Microsoft Learning Gateway and Blackboard. These learning management systems will provide the essential tools for both students and teachers to enhance communication, expand resources, develop teaching, and administration. Educational expert Multiserve (MSET) has also been recruited to provide teachers with the necessary training to integrate ICT into their classroom.

"The introduction of the Knowledge Net program will enhance the use of ICT in schools, and make teachers familiar with the effectiveness of ICT as an education tool" said Dr Hessa Al Jaber, Secretary General of ictQATAR "It is through projects like these that ictQATAR aims to enhance the quality of education in Qatar," she added.

The Knowledge-Net Project is a platform for designing an overall approach for integrating ICT into education. Moreover, It materialises the partnership between ictQATAR and eight independent schools, including Al-Resalah Independent Secondary School for Girls, Doha Independent Secondary School for Boys, Amna Bint Wahab Independent Secondary School, Al-Wakra Independent Secondary School, Al-Wakra Preparatory Independent School for Girls, Omar Bin Al Khattab Preparatory Independent School for Boys, Wajba Preparatory Independent School for Girls and Muaither Preparatory Independent School for Girls

"This project is indicative of the extremely important partnership that exists between ictQATAR and our schools", said Dr Mohamed E Al Ansari, Manager of e-Education at ictQATAR. "The importance of this partnership lies in its focus on the development of learning through the application of ICT within education in Qatar."