International Development Grant
School Twinning - Technical Support - Jamaica
Project Number: CA-3-S065623026
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $56,194.00
Start Date: July 28, 2011
End Date: August 31, 2013
Duration: 2.1 years
Project Description
The information technology (IT) coordinator prepares an IT needs assessment for the school in Jamaica requests quotes for the required IT equipment provides IT training for the teacher in Jamaica as needed ensures on-going on-site IT support during the twinning activities and video conferencing and troubleshoots all IT situations that arise to ensure the successful delivery of the ISTI. The IT coordinator reports to the Canadian High Commission in Jamaica. This project is part of a two-year pilot initiative designed to engage Canadian and developing-country teachers and students in joint learning projects. The International School Twinning Initiative (ISTI) aims to provide an enriched interactive learning environment to benefit both Canadian and developing-country classrooms. Through the ISTI Canadian students and teachers gain greater insight into international development a greater appreciation of their role as global citizens and an enhanced ability to communicate international development issues. The ISTI is part of the Global Citizens Program which seeks to raise awareness and increase knowledge of international development and provide opportunities for youth to participate in international development.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (August 2013) include: 523 students and their teachers (329 Canadians 68 Jamaicans 30 Grenadians 26 Antiguans and 104 Malians) experienced 280 "real-time" exchanges (totalling 76 hours) with people living in other countries. They learned from each other shared experiences and gained a greater appreciation of their role as global citizens and the importance of creating links and networks with people in other countries. The students and teachers developed a greater interest and engagement in global issues and a better understanding of international development. The students and teachers also gained pedagogical and technological skills by familiarizing themselves with information technology tools (such as video conferencing video making blogging and email) and social media platforms (such as Google+ YouTube and Show Me) which were integrated into the lesson plans. By means of an online survey 86% of students said their understanding of international development issues increased over the course of the project. Before their participation in the International School Twinning Initiative only 13% of students had communicated or exchanged with someone from another country.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
High Commission of Canada in Jamaica
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
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Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Donor country personnel
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP