Parity to Power Project
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The document proposes the Parity to Power project, which aims to address gender inequality in primary education in developing countries by connecting female teachers in those countries with trained female teachers in developed countries through an online virtual learning environment. It outlines the problem of low female enrollment and attendance in primary schools due to lack of female teachers. The solution proposed is an online platform allowing mentoring of less qualified female teachers through lesson sharing, video chat, and other collaborative tools. An overview of requirements, architecture, and feasibility is also provided.
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Parity to Power Project
- 1. Parity to Power Virtual Mentoring Environment Tackling Gender Parity in Developing Countries
- 2. Introduction & Project Development ? Introduction to Parity to Power ? Requirements Gathering ¨C User Requirements ¨C UML Diagrams (Use Case) ¨C Functional Requirements ¨C Storyboarding ¨C Non Functional Requirements ? Similar Systems and Applications ? Architectural Diagram ? Feasibility ? Conclusion ? References
- 3. Introduction ? The primary aim of Parity to Power is to address the ¡°UN Millennium Goal 3¡±: Promote gender equality and empower women. ? Parity to Power specifically aims to tackle gender disparity in primary education throughout developing countries.
- 4. The Problem ? In regions such as South and West Asia, the Arab States, and sub-Saharan Africa, there were only 80 girls (or less) starting primary school for every 100 boys (UNESCO, 2008). ? The numbers of qualified teachers in Mozambique have not increased at the same pace as student enrolments. The ratio currently stands at 61:1 (UNFPA, 2005).
- 5. The Problem ? The findings of a study by the Pan-African Research Agenda (2009) found there are 812 male teachers compared to just 367 female teachers working in Mozambique. ? This suggests that the difference in the number of male to female teachers potentially contributes to the gender gap in primary education. ? Therefore, an increase in the number of female teachers in Mozambique can potentially increase the number of female students in primary education.
- 6. The Solution ? Parity to Power will provide an electronic service where female teachers in developing countries can link up with female teachers in developed countries that are fully trained and qualified. ? This service will provide a combination of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
- 7. The Solution ? Through the VLE, the fully trained teacher can share standardised education programmes, lesson plans, assignments, training aids etc. to support the less qualified teacher.
- 8. User Requirements ? Educational ? Hardware ? Language ? Internet Experience ? Keyboard Skills
- 10. Functional Requirements General ? Home ? About ? Register ? Terms and Conditions ? Login ? Select School ? Select Teacher ? Access Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- 11. Functional Requirements Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) ? VideoChat ? Chat ? Mail ? Links ¨C e.g. Assignments, Activities ? Lessons ¨C e.g. Maths, History ? Calendar ? World Clock ? My Diary
- 12. Outline Diagram Welcome View Video Register Login Home Enter Username Registration Info Getting Started Schools Contact Feedback Log Out & Password View Facebook Feedback Terms & Conditions Search Schools Contact Details Video Information Feedback Thanks for View MSN Email system View Schools to system Registering Messenger Video Administrator Administrator Reg Info & T&C View Hotmail email Select School stored in Database Video View VoIP Video Upload Lessons View VLE Video
- 13. Storyboard Home: view home page and video About: displays information regarding the service, it¡¯s aims and benefits Select of f er assistance or looking f or assistance Register: Displays Terms and Conditions Register: Step 1 of 4 select teacher type
- 14. Storyboard Register: Step 2 of 4 Register: Step 3 of 4 Register: Step 4 of 4 Login
- 15. Storyboard Select: pick a school Step 1 Select: pick a teacher Step 2 Select: choose teacher and view teacher profile
- 16. Storyboard Loading: Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Home: Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Chat: Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- 17. Non Functional Requirements ? User Non Functional Requirements ? Usability Requirements ? Security and Privacy Requirements ? Performance Requirements ? Resource and Management Requirements ? Modification Requirements ? Error Handling ? Portability ? Availability
- 18. Similar Applications TeachNet ? Irish Web based service ? Encourage teachers to create and publish educational content for Internet ? Web 2.0 ready ¨C includes blogs and podcasts ? Fresh and clean layout Useful functions ? RSS feeds regarding education ? Podcasts http://www.teachnet.ie/ ? Blog Learning without frontiers ¨C Lord David Puttnam ? Calendar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iv0rOYHTIU ? Good use of metaphors and icons Pages ? Courses ? Microsoft Education (Stakeholder) ? News ? Disclaimer ? Accessibility ¨C would be useful in Parity to Power
- 19. Similar Applications Teachers network ? American based non-profit organisation ? Run by teachers for teachers ? Layout cluttered and text heavy Useful functions Connecting links to: ? Facebook ? Twitter ? View Video ? Check Out Blog Pages http://teachersnetwork.org/index.htm ? Videos for teachers ? Lesson plans ? How to articles
- 20. Similar Applications Buddy School ? Run by Sea Blue Media, LLC an American based business who provide Internet educational media solutions ? Students and teachers meet up online ? Search engine facilitates connections between students and teachers ? Layout clear, but a bit cluttered Useful functions ? Clearly categorized into Student and Teacher ? Search tutor ? Subject categories ie Arts & Crafts, Languages etc http://www.buddyschool.com/ Pages ? Register ¨C very clear ? Find a teacher ? Schedule ? How does BuddySchool work ? Schedule - calendar ? Frequently asked questions
- 21. Other Similar Systems ? African Virtual University (AVU) ¨C Attempts to tackle gender mainstreaming in their educational programs by marketing their courses towards women. ¨C Fee paying. Does not encourage primary school girls. ¨C AVUTEP: Teacher Education Program. ? Parity.com ¨C Social networking pen pal system designed to further education and training in developing countries. ¨C Pen pal system designed to encourage young schoolgirls to continue their education. ¨C Imagine Cup (O¡¯Brien. G. & Doyle. L. (2009). Parity. Paper presented at Imagine Cup)
- 22. Architectural Diagram VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol Database/Server: Information entered by the users in during the register process will be stored for retrieval by the users. Communication: Teachers Administrator: The communicate and share through administrator will regulate, the cloud by VoIP, email, monitor and review the uploading and downloading files. system information.
- 23. Business Viability ? Costing: to host fully functioning pilot system €5,000 to €10,000 approximately ? Self sustaining ¡°eModerator¡± ? ICT policies within developing countries ? GOAL (2011) To provide enriching education to society¡¯s most vulnerable people
- 24. Conclusion ? Targets for reducing gender gaps in developing countries are likely to be achieved by 2015, as long as special attention is given to girls and the reduction in gender imbalances in primary education. ? The absence of female teachers means that female students remain in a predominantly male environment increasing feelings of insecurity within the female students.
- 25. Conclusion ? Parity to Power will promote positive female role models in education which will potentially lead to an increase in the number of female students attending primary education in developing countries.
- 26. References Bloomsberg Businessweek. (2011). Internet Software and Services. Sea Blue Media, LLC. Retrieved from http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=80817 Buddy School. (2011). Retrieved from http://teachersnetwork.org/index.htm O¡¯Reilly, T. (2005). What is Web 2.0 . Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software. Retrieved http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html Teachers Network. (2011). Retrieved from http://teachersnetwork.org/AboutUs/purpose.htm TeachNet. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.teachnet.ie/SitePages/home.aspx The International Development and Research Centre (IDRC). (2010). IDRC in Mozambique. Retrieved from http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-8513-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html UNESCO (2008). Gender parity in education: Not there yet. Retrieved from http://www.uis.unesco.org/template/pdf/EducGeneral/UIS Factsheet_2008_No%201_EN.pdf UNFPA (2005). State of world population 2005. The promise of equality: gender equity, reproductive health & the MDGs. Retrieved from http://unfpa.org/swp/2005/presskit/factsheets/fact gender.htm. United Nations. (2010). We can end poverty 2015: Millennium Development Goals. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/gend er.shtml. YouTube. (2011). Learning without frontiers ¨C Lord David Puttnam. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iv0rOYHTIU