Cooperation in Capacity Building for Development
04-04-2005 (Paris)
One of the most popular modules in the Multimedia Training Kit, a partnership initiative championed by UNESCO, is proving to be the ICT policy course further developed as part of the CATIA (Catalyzing Access to Technology in Africa) Programme.
Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the CATIA programme decided to adopt the MMTK format for all its training materials, where appropriate, in order to facilitate sharing. The format is for workshop-ready, mix and match, open access materials that are simple for local trainers to use and adapt.
“We have been encouraging trainers to make the sessions very interactive and reduce just standing up and doing PowerPoint presentations”, explained CATIA materials developer Claire Sibthorpe. “The target audiences for these particular materials are NGOs, media, private sector and government.”
“My view is that the material is best learned in a workshop context where trainers can use the materials to create their own sessions (customizing the materials for their audience and geographic context) and providing the more detailed handouts to the participants”, she continued.
The MMTK initiative began in 2002, when UNESCO invited a group of international development partners to participate in building up a complete suite of training materials aimed at community media and multimedia communication service providers focused on development. Partner organizations include the Association for Progressive Communication, OneWorld International, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters AMARC, Radio for Development and the Panos Institute of West Africa.
There are currently over 100 MMTK units or lessons available online and on CD Rom, covering a range of topics and skills areas. “The module on ICT policy is particularly popular, currently registering the most online visits”, notes Jackie Davies of OneWorld, who is completing an evaluation of the initiative.
“For the CATIA workshops we are mixing and matching units for different workshops as well as pulling in some non-MMTK materials as appropriate. So having the materials separated into the units has been very helpful”, explained Claire Sibthorpe.
The kit has been developed primarily in English, but some new materials have been developed in French and existing modules are now being translated into French. There are also Russian versions available, prepared by UNESCO’s Almaty office.
“We have been encouraging trainers to make the sessions very interactive and reduce just standing up and doing PowerPoint presentations”, explained CATIA materials developer Claire Sibthorpe. “The target audiences for these particular materials are NGOs, media, private sector and government.”
“My view is that the material is best learned in a workshop context where trainers can use the materials to create their own sessions (customizing the materials for their audience and geographic context) and providing the more detailed handouts to the participants”, she continued.
The MMTK initiative began in 2002, when UNESCO invited a group of international development partners to participate in building up a complete suite of training materials aimed at community media and multimedia communication service providers focused on development. Partner organizations include the Association for Progressive Communication, OneWorld International, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters AMARC, Radio for Development and the Panos Institute of West Africa.
There are currently over 100 MMTK units or lessons available online and on CD Rom, covering a range of topics and skills areas. “The module on ICT policy is particularly popular, currently registering the most online visits”, notes Jackie Davies of OneWorld, who is completing an evaluation of the initiative.
“For the CATIA workshops we are mixing and matching units for different workshops as well as pulling in some non-MMTK materials as appropriate. So having the materials separated into the units has been very helpful”, explained Claire Sibthorpe.
The kit has been developed primarily in English, but some new materials have been developed in French and existing modules are now being translated into French. There are also Russian versions available, prepared by UNESCO’s Almaty office.
Related themes/countries
· Training of Media Professionals: News Archives 2005
· News Archives 2005
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