Social Norms
Social norms action with informed and engaged societies
Social Norms
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Project Shiksha

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Project Shiksha aims to accelerate computer literacy for teachers and students across government schools in India with a comprehensive programme that offers: software solutions; training and scholarships for teachers and students; and information technology (IT) curriculum development. An initiative by Microsoft, in collaboration with government bodies, schools and the broader academic communities, Project Shiksha aims to deliver IT literacy and skills and accelerate computer literacy for, and build the capacity of, students to become the next generation of IT professionals while sustaining India's strong position for IT.
Communication Strategies
According to the Project Shiksha website, good technology integration starts with teachers who continuously learn and constantly share knowledge. A teachers training course has been developed that encompasses various aspects of computer literacy including presentation and web creation tools, digital encyclopedia and projects, spreadsheets and more. The curriculum for the Technology for Education Teacher Training Program includes: examples of how the technology tools can be implemented in the classroom; discussion of key theory and concepts; hands-on projects; teaching strategies to implement in the classroom; and internet links to more information on the topic and places to go for more implementation ideas.

The student curriculum has been developed to empower students with greater knowledge through a comprehensive information and communication technology curriculum, assessment, certification, and scholarships. The Student Curriculum aims to develop skills and provide content mapped to identified competencies and standards. The methodology used is Discover-Discuss-Deploy, which aims to allow students to learn through exploration and guided solutions along with giving them hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn through the use of technology.

  • Discover:
    • The teacher explains the exercise to the students in a computer lab
    • The students explore the application tool and try their hand at completing the exercise
    • The teacher provides support to ensure that the students complete the exercise
  • Discuss:
    • The students share their learning and the discoveries they recorded during the Discover session
    • The students discuss the answers to the exercises given in the book
    • The teacher provides support during the discussion
    • The teacher ensures that the students answer the exercise questions
  • Deploy:
    • Remedial exercises are provided for the students to practice the skills learnt through the Discover and Discuss sessions
    • Students practice on the computer and complete their exercises
    • Teacher facilitates learning
Scholarships are offered to recognise India’s top students and teachers who drive innovation through technology. The project also provides an online community for teacher collaborations, best practice sharing and strengthening of skill sets. To honour and reward outstanding innovation in the integration of technology in classroom teaching and learning, teacher awards are offered. The awards aims to promote the sharing of exceptional innovative practices of technology integration, focus public attention on the importance of technology innovation in education, and provide networking opportunities.

Teachers are encouraged to use the Microsoft-developed lesson plans, an online collection for teachers to use to develop their lessons. Each lesson, categorised by grade level from primary school to high school, provides an outline for teachers and suggested activities.
Development Issues
Technology, Education
Key Points
During the first five years, Project Shiksha will establish Microsoft IT Academies for Teacher Training in a total of 10 Indian states and implement training and curriculum programmes that are expected to reach 80,000 teachers and 3.5 million students. Project Shiksha was launched by Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief software architect, during a visit to India in November 2002. Shiksha means education in the Hindi language.

Project Shiksha was awarded the Skoch Award for 2006. This award is given for exceptional work done in the education sector by IT companies.
Sources

Project Shiksha website, May 29 2006.