TechTutor2: ICT for Education

TechTutor, on its second year, will be delving on the role of ICT in education. The seminar will be held at SM Megatrade Hall 3 on September 28 and 29. The two-day event will focus on collaboration using web technologies like wikis, social media, and microblogging. It aims on improving education using tools that are available via the web.

TechTutor 2

Products and other IT solutions will be showcased by Acer, HP, Microsoft, Powermac, Samsung, Apple, PC Gilmore, BenQ, and more. Professionals in the field of IT and education are encouraged to attend but everyone is welcome to drop in.

For more info,  visit the Infochat website and check out the Inquirer for other details.

Wikipedia for Schools

Wikipedia

I was looking for a freeware reference software for a client and I came across Wikipedia Selection for Schools. This is the offline version of the popular online encyclopedia. It contains topics suited for school use well curated by volunteers of the SOS Children charity group.

The 2008/9 edition contains about 5500 topics that include Arts, History, Information Technology, Math, Science, etc. It’s about the size of a twenty-volume encyclopedia that includes 34,000 images and 20 million words.

The Wikipedia Selection for Schools may be downloaded via a torrent client. Download its torrent from the SOS Children website. After downloading, extract the file and open the “index.html” file using a web browser.

Efren Peñaflorida: CNN Hero 2009

Efren Peñaflorida, who started “Kariton Klasrum” (pushcart classroom), was named by CNN as the 2009 Hero of the Year. The pushcart classroom intends to bring education to poor Filipino children as an alternative to gang membership.

Efren Peñaflorida

Here’s a part of his acceptance speech, as quoted by the CNN:

“Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.”

“So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

Peñaflorida will receive $100,000 which will be used to fund his work in the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC).

Congratulations Efren! Maraming salamat sa iyong mabuting adhikain.

Here’s a look back  on CNN Heroes introduction:

Sources:
The Philippine Daily Inquirer
CNN