Intel Education Initiative Equiping Schools In Namibia To Empower Africa

The Intel Education Service Corps (IESC) is a short-term service and career development opportunity for a select group of Intel employees to support the deployment of Intel classmate PCs in developing countries.
The organization works closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in developing countries to deploy technology solutions based on Intel® Learning Series purpose-built platforms. The NGOs include CARE, Save the Children, World Vision, and many others.
Namibia is one of the African countries that has embarked on an exciting initiative to equip schools with education technology based on the Intel Learning Series. Intel is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to support two “model schools” in the Oshana and Omusati regions of Namibia.
The primary objectives of the initiative is to inspire educators on the effective use of technology for Namibia’s primary and secondary schools, and to create a blueprint for the technical environment required to deploy and sustain the use of Intel Learning Series solutions in Namibia’s schools.
The team has taught 45 teachers and administrators how to use a variety of educational software, content, and resources such as Khan Academy, internet search, email, YouTube, Facebook, Skype, and Microsoft Office, with a focus on developing and delivering effective lesson plans. They were also introduced to the Intel Learning Series classroom management software that allows teachers to share content with students.
IESC Team Namibia optimized 35 Intel classmate PCs and a teacher laptop at each school and enhanced them by adding a number of education software packages. The team ensured the proper configuration of internet connectivity to the school, the wireless local network and the classroom server to allow for the smooth functioning of all elements of the solution. With the documentingof their work, the team’s efforts will be shared with the other schools in the deployment to maximize the effectiveness of the technology.
According to the team, the teachers showed high interest and particular enthusiasm for instruction on email and social networking tools as well as Microsoft PowerPoint for its capability as a story telling medium. Before IESC Team Namibia left, a number of teachers expressed how technology helps them feel more connected to the rest of the world.
The Intel team that includes both teachers and administrators says it’s honored and humbled to represent Intel and help expand the use of Intel Learning Series solutions in Namibia and they target reaching more than 1,200 learners at the Ondjora and Oshikulufitu Combined schools.
Intel is indeed making impact around the globe, and since 2009 to date, more than 160 Intel volunteers have deployed over 1,200 classmate PCs in 11 countries , including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, Haiti, India, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia. Theteams initiative to train teachers and students to effectively use technology cannot thus be over emphasized.