Launch Media Release

Media Release 24 September 2003 For immediate release Global Education Website available http://globaleducation.edna.edu.au/ Stage 1 of the revamped Global Education Website, initiated and funded by AusAID to support its Global Education Program, is now available at http://globaleducation.edna.edu.au/. An edna Project Team managed the development and implementation of the site which is hosted on edna servers at the University of Adelaide hosting facility, AR&I. Content has been provided by Curriculum Corporation in association with AusAID. Through the formal education system, AusAID’s Global Education Program aims to raise awareness of development issues, and Australia’s overseas aid program, with young people. In Australian schools, global education is a cross-curricular perspective that is concerned with understanding: international development issues and ways to reduce poverty, peace-building and resolving conflict, appreciating and valuing diverse cultures, languages and religions, promoting human rights and social justice, and  working towards environmental sustainability. Global education provides students with conceptual knowledge and skills, and helps to develop positive attitudes and values and a willingness to participate actively in shaping the future. Stage 1 of the Global Education site development focuses on a selection of important global issues including water, environment, governance, and health; and on the Pacific, South and South East Asia regions. Information about other global issues and other regions will be gradually added to the site during the next 12 months. The site is built using the edna infrastructure which also supports other quality education and training websites such as the Government Education Portal [www.education.gov.au], Technical Standards [standards.edna.edu.au], and Learning Communities Catalyst [www.lcc.edu.au]. The Global Education website utilises an open source content management system called Jahia, RSS news feeds generated from edna, and the edna XML APIs for search and browse and the Professional Development events calendar specifically customised to meet the goals of the Global Education program. “The Global Education website harnesses edna’s rich content and its flexible technical infrastructure. This enables it to utilise a wide range of proven tools and services,” says Mr Gerry White, CEO of education.au limited the ICT Agency which manages the edna project. “This approach reduces risk and enables government agencies involved in education to leverage edna’s expertise in delivering technology and information solutions to the school education sector.” As well as country profiles and information about global issues the site contains teaching and learning support materials, teaching ideas and activities, case studies, a professional development event noticeboard, a monthly newsletter, and links to selected high quality, relevant AusAID and edna resources. The second stage of the website development will include interactive teaching and learning resources such as Learning Quests, quizzes, and community forums, and a searchable country guide. “The Global Education website is a well-focused quality resource designed to support teachers in school education enhance student learning about global issues,” says Mr White. Teachers are invited to register to receive the Global Education Newsletter. Send a blank plain text email to join-globaleducation_news@edna.edu.au. For more information Mr Gerry White, CEO, education.au limited Email: inform@educationau.edu.au Ph: (08) 8334 3210 Fax: (08) 8334 3211