European education ministers in Riga discuss challenges of the information society
2 July 2001 - 2 July 2001
At the last major conference of the Swedish Presidency, in Riga on 29 and 30 June, education ministers from 35 European countries discussed the increasing role of ICT (information communication technology) in education. The conference followed up the report on future targets for educational systems submitted by the Council of Ministers to the recent Stockholm summit.
Education systems were seen to be in a process of catching up and responding to the increased use if ICT in work. ICT was also seen as another tool that educationalists can use to minimise the effects of social disadvantage.
The themes discussed by ministers included:
- the use of ICT as a tool for 'democratising' learning, by generating opportunities for everyone to learn.
- fulfilment of the goal of lifelong learning for all.
- the immediate access to the surrounding world afforded by ICT, facilitating an international dialogue and cross-border cooperation, which in turn can result in enhanced understanding of other people and cultures.
- the transformation of information into knowledge.
- the essential role of ICT-based teaching in terms of introducing flexible, individualised learning.
- knowledge of computers and ICT as a precondition for active citizenship in the knowledge society.
- how to create environments conducive to individuals' knowledge acquisition and maximal learning effectiveness.
- teachers' partially new role as supervisors and guides in the students' learning process.
Ingegerd Wärnersson, Swedish Minister for schools and adult education said: 'I'm very pleased that every country has shown just as strong a commitment to these issues. This is important, given that we're simultaneously working to enhance international mobility for students and teachers alike. It's also gratifying to see the ministers' openness in describing the actual situation in each country. Despite major differences between our nations, we are working for the same objectives.'
for further information, please consult either:
http://www.eu2001.se(opens in new window)
or
http://cordis.europa.eu/sweden(opens in new window)
Education systems were seen to be in a process of catching up and responding to the increased use if ICT in work. ICT was also seen as another tool that educationalists can use to minimise the effects of social disadvantage.
The themes discussed by ministers included:
- the use of ICT as a tool for 'democratising' learning, by generating opportunities for everyone to learn.
- fulfilment of the goal of lifelong learning for all.
- the immediate access to the surrounding world afforded by ICT, facilitating an international dialogue and cross-border cooperation, which in turn can result in enhanced understanding of other people and cultures.
- the transformation of information into knowledge.
- the essential role of ICT-based teaching in terms of introducing flexible, individualised learning.
- knowledge of computers and ICT as a precondition for active citizenship in the knowledge society.
- how to create environments conducive to individuals' knowledge acquisition and maximal learning effectiveness.
- teachers' partially new role as supervisors and guides in the students' learning process.
Ingegerd Wärnersson, Swedish Minister for schools and adult education said: 'I'm very pleased that every country has shown just as strong a commitment to these issues. This is important, given that we're simultaneously working to enhance international mobility for students and teachers alike. It's also gratifying to see the ministers' openness in describing the actual situation in each country. Despite major differences between our nations, we are working for the same objectives.'
for further information, please consult either:
http://www.eu2001.se(opens in new window)
or
http://cordis.europa.eu/sweden(opens in new window)