XplanaZine

21st Century Learning: Making Technology Relevant in Today’s Classrooms
“21st Century Learning” is currently the hottest catchphrase in education, but what it means has yet to be fully determined. Technology is a part of students’ everyday lives, and substantial advances in technology have profoundly affected the way they learn. As a result, educators are working hard to meet the ever-evolving needs of 21st century learners. Translating the ongoing technological revolution into a learning experience is a fundamental part of that challenge. — T.H.E. Journal

Textbooks face ban under e-learning finance bill
In Arizona, textbooks would have to be eliminated from classrooms that move to a digital curriculum under legislation that would provide a new way for schools to pay for computers necessary for “e-learning.” — Arizona Republic

Research needed to prove benefits of online learning 
In many countries online learning programmes such as the Open University in the United Kingdom have successfully been implemented at higher education level for many years. These programmes have achieved a high standard of education and the virtual learning environment is a standard element in almost all university programmes worldwide. A central concern is the lack of control over the situation and the learning environment. Not all parents are equally equipped to take on such a key role in their child’s education and although the online modules are there to provide adequate teaching, the responsibility of the parent to oversee the child’s learning is central. — Emirates Business 24/7, United Arab Emirates

Teaching Welsh to the world
As part of Adult Learners’ Week, the University of Wales, Lampeter, last week held a series of workshops and study sessions for prospective students. The Welsh department ran Welsh taster sessions and held an afternoon class for more experienced learners, along with an introduction to our e-learning platform www.e-addysg.com. – ic Wales, United Kingdom

Cameroon: ICTs - A Wide Range of Opportunities
It is commonplace today to find young Cameroonians in cyber cafés glued to computer screens hoping to find jobs, business opportunities, marriages, etc. Since the inauguration of the media centre in two Government High Schools in Yaounde in 2000, the government has ensured that many government high schools especially in provincial headquarters have multimedia centres. — AllAfrica.com