The intrinsic value of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in modern education empowers individuals with skills that encourage an innovative mindset. ICT is now being recognized as an integral part of not only the education system, but also every walk of modern life. As every other third world country, Pakistan also encounters the ever challenging global standards information, communication and research.

Global change begins at the basic and individual level which translates into a widespread nationwide change. As such, a teacher is an important catalyst of change. By training and developing the youth, a teacher can have a long lasting impact on society through unique and innovative classroom practices.

Intel, being one of the pioneers in promoting ICT integration in the classroom, realized the importance of ICT in education and introduced the Intel® Teach Program in Computer Education subjects in the University of Education Punjab for B. Ed, and M. Ed. Courses, and in the Govt. Colleges in Punjab. In the initial phase, faculty members were provided with hands-on training, readying them to make the prescribed syllabus up to date and relevant with the needs of today.

In the next phase of change, the faculty at the campuses were equipped with the latest teaching methodologies and skills to make them more effective in the classroom environment.

Challenges:

• Making the current Computers in Education curriculum more relevant to the classroom needs of the 21 st century.
• Effective implementation of the curriculum to promote the use of technology in teaching practices in the presence of limited human and physical resources.
• The provision of quality training to the faculty to ensure that the true essence of the curriculum is shared with student teachers as well.
• Providing equal opportunities and resources for student teachers to learn the ICT skills to implement and enhance teaching and learning.
• Development of sustainable, transparent and credible system of evaluation to guarantee the high quality benchmarks of teaching and learning at all the educational levels.

Approach:

• Integrating the Intel® Teach curriculum with the existing curriculum and teaching practices to equip teachers with skills and knowledge that are needed in 21 st century classrooms.
• Providing knowledge of the latest innovations in ICT to Teacher Educators and Student Teachers to ensure successful implementation at the grassroot level.
• Equipping Teacher Educators with the latest and most updated teaching methodologies so that they can help student teachers integrate technology to face the learning challenges of 2lst century.

Benefits:

• Through the Intel® Teach curriculum, student teachers have become active learners themselves. The Intel program provides the opportunity to develop progressive skills among teachers, to create a more productive education environment in Pakistan.
• ICT is now incorporated in daily classroom practices by facilitating students and teachers, to take advantage of the opportunities that new, technology integrated teaching methods present.
• Graduates of University of Education and Govt. Colleges are being absorbed in the formal teaching environment, which gives them an opportunity to use their newly acquired skills. This also helps in reducing unemployment in the education space.
• Special emphasis on socio-cultural norms and values of Intel® Teach Program triggers community development.

Intel® Teach Program: A Case Study

Teachers are catalysts for positive change in the education system. It is essential to educate teachers with latest technology and updated teaching and learning methods to make the current education system more viable and effective.

Only a knowledgeable and skilful teacher can attain the highest standards of education. Keeping in mind the latest trends and fast global economic, social, and intellectual growth, technology is considered to be a key element to bring in favorable and constructive change in the current classroom environment.

To make Pakistan's teachers more adept and hands on with technology and skills needed in the 21 st century, Intel introduced a curriculum for ICT education in University of Education Punjab and Govt. Education Colleges for B. Ed. and M. Ed. students. This program was initiated with a pilot in 2005 with the University of Education, Punjab where faculty and student teachers were trained on how to integrate technology into their teaching instructions. Currently, the curriculum offered by the Intel® Teach Program is been implemented in all the education colleges in Punjab, both the University of Education campuses and the Government Elementary Colleges of Teacher Education.

In the city of Multan reside two government institutes for teacher education. The institutes have adequate physical resources with well-equipped computer labs and internet connectivity. Computer instructors' discussions, as observed, with the student teachers proved that the student teachers are given maximum opportunities to have hands-on practice with technology and computers, "thanks to Intel" as Naveed Fatima, Ghazala, and Batool commented.

'Student teachers are now making their lesson plans, assignments and presentations with the help of MS Office and MS Power Point on computers', mentioned another instructor Mr. Pervaiz in Multan.

The college is expecting public and private sector support in obtaining more resources in the near future. This will help students become more adept with technology and obtain more hands on experience with interactive teaching methodologies

Teacher training colleges in remote areas, like Ghakharmandi and Rangeelpur, have better resources as compared to urban cities like Multan and Jehlum. The faculty members Mr. Fazal and Mr. Amir at Gakharmandi who had been trained by Intel said enthusiastically, "if we are provided with consistent internet connectlvlty we can compete with anybody around the globe ... We are very sure of our potentials and skills:' During our meeting with some of the students at the campus, excitement about the Intel® Teach Program was quite apparent Sana said "this syllabus has everything to enjoy, the charisma of learning along with challenge, excitement and opportunities to interact; what else can a student dream of.'

The Principal of Rangeelpur, during an informal interview, said that the college has graduated more than 800 students in the past two years and their B. Ed. and M. Ed. graduates are welcomed and employed by both Private and Government schools. She feels that the Intel® Teach Program has been helpful in bringing a phenomenal change in reduction of unemployment rate amongst the college's graduates, as the students are now up to speed with knowledge that other teachers may not have.

Jhelum a semi urban city, with 200 students enrolled annually in the Elementary College of Education, does not have a proper computer lab but is lucky enough to have committed teachers and motivated learners. Students' interest towards ICT education stimulated them to buy personal computers themselves to practice the skills and concepts they learnt through the Intel curriculum. "Almost 80% students have their own PC's" informed Mr. Sarwar, a teacher at the college campus.

Lahore, as an urban city, has better infrastructure and resources as compared to the other urban and rural cities of Punjab. There are two colleges for Teacher Education. Both campuses have well established computer labs and facilities. During an interview with teachers and students, the students called the course implemented by the Intel® Teach Program a milestone towards modern teaching. The teachers were convinced that this program would benefit the student teachers in their daily classroom practices.

Students, teachers and administration personnel agree that the curriculum designed by the Intel® Teach Program has more practical aspects than the curriculum they were following previously. Implementation of the new curriculum is simple and effective, which is why it has been possible to use this curriculum successfully in institutes all over Punjab. The course is logical and organized, as opposed to the traditional teaching methodologies and basic computer knowledge imparted earlier on.

"An unknowledgeable and unskilled teacher cannot create the desired impact on his/her students. If teachers are not equipped with updated content, materials and required skills to motivate his/her students, they cannot become effective facilitators of learning, or trainers. The demands of the new age mean students must become active learners. To fulfill this expectation, our teachers need to be well equipped with the knowledge and skills of technology" said Mr. Aftab a faculty member at the University of Education.

A majority of the student teachers feel that they are now confident in applying the knowledge and skills of computer technology in their classroom practices where infrastructure and availability is adequate. Many students feel there is an urgent need to utilize whatever they have learnt, and hope that even during their student years they can get opportunities through internship programs to implement what they have learnt Student teachers hope that when they graduate they are able to find employment in schools where technology is present.

Conclusion

It is evident that through the Intel® Teach Program, the change in the Computer Education curriculum, as adopted in the B. Ed, and the M. Ed, curriculum by many Government Colleges for Education and the University of Education has been a beacon of light in the darkness, Intel has taken a proactive approach and has successfully integrated technology in these institutions. Looking towards the future, Intel has highlighted its achievements in Punjab to other provinces of Pakistan as well. Many other progressive universities in Islamabad Capital Territory, Sindh and Balochistan have put the wheels in motion.

Successfully bringing future teachers of Pakistan into the 21st century is the first step towards making the nation's students ready to face the challenges of the real world, Intel and the University of Education, along with the Government Elementary Colleges for Education have set a great example in this regard.

For more information, visit: www.intel.com/education/pk

For more information on the Intel Teach Program, visit: www.intel.com/education/teach

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