PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mohammad Jarrah, Country Coordinator,

LINC: U.S.-Jordan Youth Technology Leaders

In September 2004, the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), MOUSE, Inc. (Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools & Education), and AYUSA International launched the Partnerships for Learning Linking Individuals for Knowledge and Culture (LINC) Initiative. The U.S.-Jordan Youth Technology Leaders pilot program is the first step towards developing a global model to utilize the energy of technology-savvy youth toward supporting their schools and their communities. This program is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs Youth Program Division and matching funds from iEARN, MOUSE and AYUSA.

The LINC program seeks engage U.S. and Jordanian schools in ongoing collaborative projects, and the exchange of people to promote mutual understanding; a replicable model for youth leaders to make a positive impact in the development of Internet-based classrooms tools in their communities; greater awareness from parents, teachers and community leaders of the benefits of online and face-to-face interaction between U.S. and Jordanian youth; and, increased capacity for ministries of education and educational organizations in each country to support schools that seek to collaborate through the Internet with partners worldwide.

In response to growing technologies and their role in enabling young people to be effective and equal players in the global economy of the 21^st century, Jordan has embarked on a national “e-Learning” educational reform to support the integration of technology into all schools. However, the country has not developed the human resources to provide the necessary tech support.

Since 1992, iEARN has engaged Jordanian educators and youth in collaborative thematic online projects activities and exchange partnerships with their peers worldwide. In its experience, iEARN has found Jordanian youth not only highly motivated, technology-savvy collaborators, but also ready to transform their country to a regional model of educational excellence. This program is the first step towards developing a national model to utilize the capabilities of a most valuable resource—its youth— toward supporting their schools, their communities, and national goals.

In the LINC program, iEARN will partner with the U.S. non-profit organization, MOUSE, Inc., which has created MOUSE Squad, a successful student-driven tech support training program. Now in its fourth year of operation, MOUSE Squad prepares and supports teams of teachers and students in establishing and sustaining help desks in their middle and high schools. MOUSE Squad is a replicable, innovative, and cost-effective solution to the inadequate levels of on-site technical support in schools.

This program will feature both virtual and physical exchanges. iEARN, MOUSE and AYUSA have recruited, selected and supported 24 exchange participants: two Jordanian educators and ten Jordanian youth, who will travel to New York City on April 3, 2005, and two educators and ten youth from New York City, who will reciprocate and travel to Jordan in July/Aug 2005. AYUSA will coordinate the physical exchange component in conjunction with iEARN and MOUSE.

Participants will experience a comprehensive training program, including “hands-on” technology work, classroom presentations, field trips, community outreach, and cultural activities. Jordanian youth will also introduce MOUSE youth in New York to the global iEARN community and help the MOUSE youth understand how they use information technologies for civic engagement.

In addition, an estimated 400 students, including those chosen for travel, will participate in thematic collaborative online project activities before, during and after the physical exchange. With iEARN’s proven model, students will have opportunities to engage in a number of ongoing Internet-based discussion forums surrounding core ECA themes such as Culture, Civil Society, Globalization, and Language Learning. The virtual exchange allows educators and youth to collaborate on commonly shared concerns and they develop tools, skills, knowledge and a climate for discussing differing points of view, overcoming suspicion, dispelling stereotypes, and resolving conflict.

The “hands-on” approach of this reciprocal exchange program will fulfill the goals of LINC as U.S. and Jordanian youth contribute to vibrant and meaningful civic dialogue, dynamic and practical classroom materials, improved school resources, valuable workforce skills training, significant leadership skills, and a sense of self-confidence and responsibility among youth who are eager to make a difference as they face career choices in the 21^st century.