Approximately ten years ago, the question – how can nonprofit organizations like schools can benefit from emerging digital technologies? - was put forward to the Federal Communications Commission.
And in 2001, it was recommended that a multibillion-dollar fund or ‘venture capital fund’ would be utilized to explore and study learning technology,
After all these years, an organization dubbed the National Center for Congress via the Education Department has approved Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies. The organization was launched on January 25, and it will be offering grants toward the fall of 2010.
“It’s time that education had the equivalent of what the National Science Foundation does for science, Darpa does for the national defense and what N.I.H. does for health,” Lawrence K. Grossman, ex-president of NBC News and PBS was quoted as saying by the New York Times.
“We’re really excited about exploring the opportunities for advanced technology in education,” James H. Shelton III, the Education Department’s assistant deputy secretary for innovation and improvement said. “The vision that started Digital Promise was well before its time. Its time has finally come.”
In order to shore up support for the project, the organization has developed three models: One is a video for bio students, entitled ‘Immune Attack.’ Another is a game for museums, titled ‘Discovering Babylon.’ And the third prototype is a simulation on a computer about training firefighters. These are basic models of projects the organization will be funding.
Jacob Cherian writes for SourcingLine.