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Etisalat: making learning innovative and relevant

Etisalat is working with Ministries of Education and educational institutions across the , and to enable the use of innovative technologies to enhance teaching and learning for students and teachers. They consider the use of computers, game platforms and mobile phones to be a natural part of students’ lives today – part of a welcome transition from traditional textbook teaching to a more exciting way of learning through AR (Augmented Reality), web-based materials and eBooks. Their creative initiatives use interactive learning to improve understanding of complex and abstract issues and provide access to training materials in local languages through an intuitive interface enabled by state-of- the-art connectivity.

This case study focuses on Etisalat’s projects with: lesson can see the human body become 3D Examples of activities for students ■■ Augmented Reality-based interactive learning and start to dance. provided by Ogle in addition to the in the United Arab (UAE). For more material printed in textbooks include: information visit www.ogle.ae OGLE is used by learners aged 7-12 in ■■ Pond Ecosystem – Explore the animals and UAE schools which follow the UK national ■■ distance learning and online books in the UAE fauna of a typical pond-water environment, curriculum in subjects including history, and . with the ability to isolate individual life forms. music, maths, design, PE, geography, Dissect creatures, examine lifecycles and study ICT, languages and physics. All the their place within their environment. Augmented Reality – making learning content is syllabus-based and Etisalat more exciting has a team working closely with schools ■■ Geology/Geography – Study an extensive Imagine visiting the outer reaches of the and academies to develop new lessons range of geographical phenomena from the universe or dissecting a snail… Students tailored to individual schools. Teachers hydrological cycle to glacial formations, at can enhance their understanding of and students can also create their own a pace controlled by the user and with full complex issues by learning through content, such as videos and images created interactivity. observation and investigation rather than outside of school, and incorporate this ■■ Physics/Engineering – View a fully working car by instruction. directly into the lesson provided. All new model with an operating combustion engine. content is immediately accessible and Study the actions of steering and suspension, Using Etisalat’s Augmented Reality shared between schools – giving access to highlighting the forces involved. application – OGLE – students access a a constantly expanding collection of 3D special interactive information layer by models. ‘scanning’ the pages of a schoolbook with Forensic scientists: Using Augmented the camera on their mobile device. OGLE Teachers are particularly keen because automatically superimposes a virtual expenditure on new books is not needed. interactive layer over the printed materials They can use this technology to transform enabling students to interact with audio, the use of existing schoolbooks. OGLE video and 3D animations using any iOS also allows teachers to continue using and Android smartphone, device or familiar traditional learning materials at tablet. So, for example, learners using a the same time as introducing exciting new schoolbook and phone/tablet for a biology technologies. Forensic scientists: Using Augmented Distance learning and on-line books programme that provides students grade Reality to solve ‘a crime’ Etisalat is also working with Ministries 4-10 (age 8–14) with access to online Etisalat, OGLE and technology partner Engine of Education in UAE, Sri Lanka and classes on their mobile devices through Creative have developed a unique learning activity , to enable many learning Etisalat’s network. The service is using Augmented Reality. Based on the UK Science materials to be published for the first time offered in conjunction with the Ministry curriculum for Years 7 and 8 (learners aged 11–12), electronically in , Sinhala, Tamil, of Education and State Engineering it allows teachers to assess students’ understanding Urdu and English on the Etisalat eBooks Corporation and aims to change face of of Particle Theory in a way that is highly engaging portal. education in Sri Lanka. for the students and measurable for the school. Introducing educational content in local For more information see http://etisalat.lk/ Students are taken out of their normal lessons languages is one of the key strategic sinhala/webpatashalacomputers.cfm to become forensic scientists for a day, seconded differentiations in their eLearning to a ‘crime scene’ investigation in the school programme. Students can access Etisalat’s Using new technologies for learning means environment and tasked to solve the fictitious theft portal directly from their mobile device, students can attend lectures and download course of a valuable artwork. choose the books they want, and directly materials wherever they are, whenever they like, download them to their smart phone, while teachers and faculty can increase their reach The students are first introduced to AR when they tablet or any PC. and interaction. Web Patashala provides students are asked to use their or tablet and academic staff with enhanced mobility and computer to scan the security briefcase holding the In Sri Lanka, Etisalat has developed flexibility, giving them instant access to courses case files. The scan reveals a unique code, which distance learning with the launch of and content on their handheld devices. allows them to unlock the briefcase and access the ‘Web Patashala’, an on-line eLearning confidential information.

During the ‘investigation’ they then have to scan for fingerprints, analyse the crime scene and research different scientific theories including Particle Theory in order to compile the evidence required.

Alongside the technology-led activity, students record their findings and submit them as evidence for the ‘courts’ via their mobile or tablet device. If they are successful in their investigation not only will they have completed an interactive refresher on Particle Theory but also convicted their principal of an ingenious heist! Lessons learned Government buy-in: Etisalat worked with Ministries of Education and the educational community for the AR and distance learning projects. This has helped to ensure their sustainability and reach.

Repurposing existing resources: As well as being engaging and exciting, the AR projects transform the use of existing schoolbooks – a boon for both teachers and schools.

Coverage and seamless connectivity: Etisalat’s 3.5G network covers over 99% of the populated areas in the UAE making “The Ogle Augmented Reality application About Etisalat mobile learning, both inside and outside allows students to enjoy interactive, Etisalat is a Global the classroom, truly viable. digitally enhanced learning. This gives company with headquarters in the students the opportunity to access relevant (UAE). It has Global reach: By not restricting access to and engaging content in a new exciting committed more than 1 billion US dollars educational materials to the customers of format. We are currently actively involved in its fibre-optic network which helps to any particular network operator, Etisalat with education institutions locally and connect 268 schools and universities in opens up access to highly localized and internationally who are implementing this UAE and its 3.5G network covers over relevant educational content to a global technology, ensuring content is relevant and 99% of the populated areas in the UAE, audience. levels of teaching and learning enhanced. making mobile learning truly viable. We have also identified education facilities www.etisalat.ae where students have started developing For more information visit: Etisalat’s vision for the future of education their own augmented pieces of work, Contact: George Held, VP/Commerce, [email protected] “Etisalat is proud to serve the education creating a new employment industry for Etisalat Group - sector through innovative solutions and future generations. In 2013/2014 Ogle will applications … I invite all members of the launch accredited academic qualifications About the GSMA Connected education sector to take full advantage for students associated with Augmented Living programme and use our modern technological Reality applications.” services to help them achieve a George Held, VP/Commerce, Etisalat Group Connected Living is a three-year market knowledgeable and prosperous future.” development initiative whose mission Khalifa Al Forah, Chief Digital Services Officer, is to help mobile operators accelerate Etisalat Group the delivery of new connected devices and services. Our target is to assist in “eBook readers and eBook stores have the creation of 700 million new mobile become a global phenomenon, but their connections, while stimulating service benefits have eluded Sri Lankan readers, trials and launches in the Automotive, writers and publishers. This innovation Education and Healthcare sectors. The [Etisalat‘s eBooks portal] will change Connected Living programme is also that, and change the way that people working with the city of Barcelona, the read, purchase and publish local material, Mobile World Capital, to develop and making it in our opinion one of the most showcase smart city services. We are innovative locally developed - working in mEducation to help bring based products. We have also chosen not the operator and education industries to make this product operator-dependent, together to address market barriers, making it accessible to anyone, anywhere foster collaboration and speed up the in the world, so that Sri Lankan content adoption of mobile education services. can finally have a global audience.” Dumindra Ratnayaka, Chief Executive Officer, For further information please contact us Etisalat Sri Lanka at [email protected] or visit www.gsma.com www.gsma.com December 2012