Lenovo Creates Global Education Research Program

Lenovo announced the Global Education Research Program, an initiative that will analyze and measure the impact of technology on students’ educational experiences at various levels, ranging from first grade through higher education, both inside and outside the classroom.

According to the company, educational institutions have embraced using technology such as PCs, multimedia materials and interactive white boards in the classroom over the past decade to help students develop 21st century skills and to connect administrators and streamline district operations. The new Lenovo initiative aims to gain a complete view of the role and impact of technology in all aspects of the learning environment. The research will benefit Lenovo’s existing and future education customers and programs by helping to outline clear actions and best practices for national, provincial and local governments to improve their use of technology in education, the company said.

The program kicks off during Lenovo’s 12th annual Think Tank education conference hosted this year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC, USA on June 1-3. Initial program participants also include the Institute for International Leadership, Honolulu, HI, USA. Going live in July 2010, the institute will bring together top schools in the US and China to foster a multinational, multilingual online learning framework driven by technology. It will promote leadership development in academics and in public service for secondary school students and teachers and encourage international collaboration.

The Lenovo Global Education Research Program will conduct both quantitative and qualitative studies using an updated set of criteria defined by the consortium and that are relevant to the skills students must possess to be successful in today’s society. Each center will be led by members of the center as well as an esteemed body of academic advisors and Lenovo education practice experts.

Lenovo is developing the Global Education Research Centers in partnership with Microsoft and Intel.

"Education is a core value shared by all governments and cultures around the world, and the skills of the future workforce depend on the education they receive from the start,” said Michael Schmedlen, Director of Worldwide Education, Lenovo. "By launching these education research centers, we are combining our worldwide activities in developed and emerging markets as well as our leadership in PC innovation, to initiate, facilitate and improve education on a global scale.”

"Extending access to rich 21st century learning environments to the students in these communities is not only philanthropic, it is essential to the future success of the children served by each of the centers; as we in fact live in a knowledge based economy where the unconnected are truly disadvantaged,” said Eileen Lento, PhD, Government and Education Strategist, Intel Americas.

www.lenovo.com