The Role of Educational Technology in Upgrading Teacher Education in Pakistan

This paper outlines a joint Asian Bank/Pakistan Ministry of Education project designed to upgrade the state of teacher education and to improve the quality, status, and professional self-esteem of Pakistan's teachers. The main strategies identified by the Project for priority attention include: structural changes through the creation of four new types of teacher education institutions in each of the provinces; development of the main teacher education pre- and in-service courses; increased output and improved standard of teachers at all levels; development and implementation of a Total Educational Technology Plan; and upgrading and strengthening of existing Government Colleges for Elementary Teachers and Government Colleges of Education. Educational technology is a key element designed to assist in achieving the Project's major goals and objectives. Needs analysis produced recommendations geared for: target population; new teacher education courses; allocation of electronic media; teacher/principal attitudes towards the equipment and software; potential sources of software; availability of ancillary funding; specialist educational technology assistance for teachers; developing a profession of educational technology interested people; storage and access for hardware and software; roles of Mobile Training Units; and overseas lessons on the application of educational technology. (AEF)