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Trinidad pioneers online 'knowledge network' Trinidad pioneers online 'knowledge network'
(34 minutes later)
Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies is going to be the pioneer of an ambitious online learning project. Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies is pioneering an ambitious online learning project.
Coursera, one of the biggest online university course providers, is forming a partnership with the government to provide a network of online learning materials across the Caribbean country.Coursera, one of the biggest online university course providers, is forming a partnership with the government to provide a network of online learning materials across the Caribbean country.
Minister of Tertiary Education, Fazal Karim, said it would raise the skills needed for the country to compete.Minister of Tertiary Education, Fazal Karim, said it would raise the skills needed for the country to compete.
Mr Karim said it would open up a "world of opportunity" for Trinidad.Mr Karim said it would open up a "world of opportunity" for Trinidad.
Coursera is a major provider of so-called Moocs - massive open online courses - that offer online university courses free. The US-based company now has almost eight million students registered.Coursera is a major provider of so-called Moocs - massive open online courses - that offer online university courses free. The US-based company now has almost eight million students registered.
Help from mentorsHelp from mentors
But this project in Trinidad will be the first time that a Mooc system will have been designed for an entire country, described as a "national knowledge network".But this project in Trinidad will be the first time that a Mooc system will have been designed for an entire country, described as a "national knowledge network".
And Lila Ibrahim, of Coursera, says that it could be a model for creating education networks in other countries.And Lila Ibrahim, of Coursera, says that it could be a model for creating education networks in other countries.
In Trinidad, Coursera is working with the government and the University of Trinidad and Tobago to provide online courses, learning materials and television programmes.In Trinidad, Coursera is working with the government and the University of Trinidad and Tobago to provide online courses, learning materials and television programmes.
There will be learning centres on the university campuses where students will be able to get help from mentors.There will be learning centres on the university campuses where students will be able to get help from mentors.
There will also be accreditation and college credits from the online courses.There will also be accreditation and college credits from the online courses.
It will be promoted by the knowledge.tt website, which will be a gateway to free online courses in areas such as business, technology, computer programming, entrepreneurship and music.It will be promoted by the knowledge.tt website, which will be a gateway to free online courses in areas such as business, technology, computer programming, entrepreneurship and music.
Mr Karim said it was a "very important step" for Trinidad, which is already on target to have 60% of young people participating in further and higher education by next year.Mr Karim said it was a "very important step" for Trinidad, which is already on target to have 60% of young people participating in further and higher education by next year.
Improving skillsImproving skills
There is a one-laptop-per-child project at school level, which is using educational technology in the classroom.There is a one-laptop-per-child project at school level, which is using educational technology in the classroom.
But he said it was vital to use online learning to improve the vocational skills needed to make the economy competitive.But he said it was vital to use online learning to improve the vocational skills needed to make the economy competitive.
The message was that "you can learn as you earn and you can earn more learning", he said.The message was that "you can learn as you earn and you can earn more learning", he said.
The challenge for countries such as Trinidad and Tobago was "how do we move from low skills and low wages to high skills and high wages?"The challenge for countries such as Trinidad and Tobago was "how do we move from low skills and low wages to high skills and high wages?"
In the past there had been correspondence courses and then distance learning from the Open University, but now he said it was the era of the "internet campus".In the past there had been correspondence courses and then distance learning from the Open University, but now he said it was the era of the "internet campus".
Any geographical distance or isolation was removed by online learning, the minister said.
Ms Ibrahim said this was a "world-leading and unique" scheme - and that locating it in Trinidad was a reflection of the country's willingness to experiment with the idea of online learning.Ms Ibrahim said this was a "world-leading and unique" scheme - and that locating it in Trinidad was a reflection of the country's willingness to experiment with the idea of online learning.
"We wanted to work with groups who will the move the ball forward most quickly," she said."We wanted to work with groups who will the move the ball forward most quickly," she said.