(National Training Foundation, E-Learning Support Project, Programme A2 “Development of E-Learning Materials”, Terms of reference № ELSP/A2/ST/005-05)

The objective of this assignment was to organize a study visit for officials and senior management of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and Federal Agency for Education, as well as of the National Training Foundation in order to familiarise with the best approaches to ICT use in education in Israel. The subjects to be studied were preliminary discussed with Russian Ministry of Education and Science representatives and subsequently agreed with the World Bank project team leader.

1.    Scope of work

According to preliminary arrangements the key topics of study visits were:

• National-wide programmes in Israeli education system – design, financing and implementation approaches;
• ICT use in Israeli Education system:

  •    design of teaching and learning E-materials,
  •    teachers training in ICT application in teaching
  •    application of ICT in education for different grades;

• innovation projects in science, education and technologies.

During the study tour the participants were introduced to senior officials in Israel Ministry of Education, senior staff of 6 organisations.

Key Study Tour Components were:

• Overview of Israel Education system
• Panel Meetings with Specialists in National Programmes in the area of Education
• Meetings with 6 Organizations
• Site visits to:

  •    Cramim school (Tel-Aviv)
  •    ORT Moshinsky Pedagogical Centre for Research and Development (Tel-Aviv)
  •    ORT Braude College of Engineering (Karmiel)
  •    Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa)
  •    Renee Cassin High School     (Jerusalem)
  •    IT  firm “Ness Technologies”

• Visit Summation

As a result of these meetings study tour participants have got fairly well informed about how ICT policies in Israel are being implemented, and have got some concrete insight about strategies, failures and successes.

This overview comprehends how infrastructure was created, materials were produced internally or which criteria presided eventual acquisitions abroad, how professionals were trained and networks developed.

One key subject is how ICT is used in teacher's training. Given the present ICT situation and challenges in Russia, the following priorities for discussion were set off in the segments of educational system: Fundamental School (7 to 14), Secondary Education (14 to18), Professional Training and University Education, Innovative Research University complexes (merge of science, education, innovations and business).

Background  of the Project