Globalization and rapid technological change have made knowledge a critical determinant of competitiveness in the world economy.  The World Bank is playing an important role in assisting countries in taking advantage of the opportunities in information and communications technologies (ICTs) to contribute to education goals and poverty reduction strategies.  With globalization, the information revolution, and increasing demands for a highly skilled work force, it is clear that nations must accord high priority to building the capacity to effectively utilize technology in education. 

What is the World Bank doing to support ICT in education?

The World Bank recognizes the critical importance of effectively utilizing new information and communication technologies (ICTs) to meet the growing need for a more sophisticated labor force, manage information systems, and contribute to poverty reduction around the world.   Indeed, the vast majority of active World Bank education projects contain an ICT component.  Support for ICT in education includes assistance for equipment and facilities, education management and information systems, teacher training and support, capacity building, educational content, distance learning, literacy, education policy, and media outreach. 

The World Bank works in partnership with governments and organizations worldwide to support innovative programming and timely research into the use of ICTs in education.  The World Bank actively supports such research through the Information for Development program. InfoDev explores issues such as monitoring and evaluation, professional development of teachers, enabling environments, costs of ICTs, impact of ICTs on access to education, and education management information systems.  Through the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), the World Bank and its partners offer cost-effective opportunities to bring together policymakers and development practitioners across the world for knowledge and information sharing. The World Bank Institute’s education program  sponsors capacity building events for policymakers and donor staff on ICT and education topics.

What does the World Bank mean by ICT in education?

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) consist of the hardware, software, networks, and media for the collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information (voice, data text, images), as well as related services.

The World Bank's education lending portfolio includes projects with the following ICT components:

• Education Technology - (a) supplying computers and connectivity, (b) building school computer labs, (c) enabling instruction in computer programming and computer literacy, (d) developing and disseminating new curricula in electronic format and (e) using ICT as tools for presentation for learning to promote and develop skills related to critical thinking, information evaluation and reasoning, collaboration and intentional awareness.
• Distance Learning - Planned learning that normally occurs in a different place from teaching and as a result requires special techniques of course design, instructional techniques, methods of communication, and organizational and administrative arrangements.
• Educational Management and Information Systems - Aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness of administration of educational programs through improved information and planning systems.

Who do we work with?
The World Bank facilitates the sharing of knowledge and best practices in information and communication technologies for education among professionals, governments, and institutions worldwide.  Below are some of our key partners:

• Commonwealth Of Learning (COL)
   
• Commonwealth Secretariat – Distance Education
   
• Global Development Learning Network (GDLN)
   
• Global Distance Education Network (GDENet) (last updated in 2003) 
   
• Global Networked Readiness for Education Project
   
• Information for Development Program (InfoDev)
   
• International Centre for Distance Learning
   
• United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

How do ICT in education initiatives contribute to the Millennium Development Goals?

Educators and policymakers alike agree that information and communication technologies are of paramount importance to the future of education.  ICT in education initiatives that focus on the following areas are most likely to successfully contribute to meeting the Millennium Development Goals:

• Increasing access through distance learning
  ICTs can provide new and innovative means to bring educational opportunities to greater numbers of people of all ages, especially those who have historically been excluded, such as populations in rural areas, women facing social barriers, and students with disabilities.
   
• Enabling a knowledge network for students
  With knowledge as the crucial input for productive processes within today’s economy, the efficiency by which knowledge is acquired and applied determines economic success.  Effective use of ICTs can contribute to the timely transmission of information and knowledge, thereby helping education systems meet this challenge.
   
• Training teachers
  Large numbers of school teachers will be needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals for education.  The use of ICTs can help in meeting teacher training targets.  Moreover, ICTs provide opportunities to complement on the job training and continuing education for teachers.
   
• Broadening the availability of quality education materials
  Network technologies have the potential to increase the availability of quality educational materials.  Their interactivity and global reach allow for customized sharing of knowledge, materials, and databases, quickly and cheaply over long geographic distances.  Furthermore, online resources offer teachers access to a vast and diverse collection of educational materials, enabling them to design curricula that best meet the needs of their students.
   
• Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of educational administration and policy
  New technologies can help improve the quality of administrative activities and processes, including human resource management, student registration, and monitoring of student enrollment and achievement.