Page 47 - Connecting cities and communities with the Sustainable Development Goals
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United for Smart Sustainable Cities
Connecting cities and communities with the Sustainable Development Goals
addition, the programme is also aligned with the UAE Vision 2021, to become a knowledge-based economy
through the increased availability of information for both students and teachers.
The programme takes a holistic and comprehensive approach towards teachers, principals and school
administrators and not just towards students. Essentially, the information and communications technology
(ICT) services are positioned to underpin the educational opportunities of all those supporting and engaging
in the educational system. The strategy focuses on aligning the device deployments, support services and
educational change interventions to underpin the MoE developments in school leadership, curriculum and
pedagogy. The diagram below illustrates a selected range of the levers and interventions that are part of the
overall strategic approach.
Figure 4-1 – Strategic approach for Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program
In addition to equipping students, teachers, and principals with devices and apps aimed at facilitating their
role in education, the smart-learning programme has incorporated various innovative initiatives that are
technologically and educationally aimed to address broader social, cultural and national aspirations in line
with UAE’s Vision 2021. The details below outline how MBRSLP embeds innovation into its approach of
implementation which contributes significantly to education in smart cities.
Smart Classroom Transformation: This is the first in the region that seeks to introduce ICT in
education by providing a complete transformational process to school infrastructure and to the tools
used to deliver education to students;
3D Printing and Design Thinking: The objective of the 3D Printing pilot is to introduce and integrate
the technology of 3D printing to educators and students, to create a powerful learning environment
in schools, to teach design thinking as a process for problem solving, to compliment Science,
Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), and to cultivate and encourage the student’s creativity
and imagination while nourishing skills and experience in 3D tools for research and design.
School Radio: Educators are using remote access to School Radio to motivate and inspire learners,
improve writing and speaking skills and to support the development of teamwork, planning and other
competencies.
U4SSC series 41
