GFDD, FUNGLODE, Microsoft and Dominican Ministry of Education Present Seminar on Virtual Education

On September 20, 2007, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), the Dominican Ministry of Education and Microsoft organized the seminar: “Virtual Education: Initiatives in Process and Lessons Learned.”

 

Opening remarks were delivered by FUNGLODE Technology & Education Coordinator, Paúl Goris, and
General Director of Information and Communication Technologies for the Dominican Ministry of Education, William Ortíz. They discussed the importance of equipping teachers with the skills necessary to utilize online tools in order to enhance classroom instruction.

 

Raúl Luna, from the Centro Nacional de Información y Comunicación Educativa (National Center for Educational Information and
Communication – CNIC) in Spain, discussed Spain’s experience with virtual teaching and the potential success of the strategy in the Dominican Republic. Luna highlighted the programs offered by CNICE which include 49 courses, a suggested itinerary and requisites to ensure that participants maximize their course experience.

 

He explained that CNICE’s programs are adapted to meet the personal and professional
interests of the teachers. Since the center’s establishment in 1999, more than 70,200 students have enrolled in CNICE classes.

 

Luna acknowledged the Dominican Republic’s advancement in the area of virtual education, stating that a core group of tutors that have taken classes with both Dominican & Spanish instructors has already been formed. He recommended that future projects include the creation of teams
of Dominican tutors and coordinators, as well as professional development programs for administrators and the establishment of a technology platform.

 

Ángel Dubon of Microsoft spoke about innovative experiences in distance education and highlighted some of the tools Microsoft offers free of charge for educators. He urged seminar participants to utilize the mechanisms available to advance learning processes.

 

Tools provided by Microsoft include online literacy courses, consultations with the Encyclopedia Encarta via instant messenger, and the educational packet “Learn Essentials,” which provides instruction on how to better take advantage of Microsoft Office applications.

 

This seminar formed part of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Program, an initiative designed to
support government and local organization efforts to improve public education.