digital-earth.eu, the European Centre for Learning and Teaching with Geo-Media, will present its activities at the Media & Learning 2011 conference in Brussels on November 24, 2011. Latest developments, services and uses of media in education and training will be introduced and discussed among policy makers and practitioners in order to help identify policies, initiatives and best-practices that promote digital and media competence at all levels of education and training. Geospatial technologies are one of the fastest growing industries in Europe. As employability is a key component of economic revitalisation and geographic media and information are huge growth areas, required by all major companies, Ministries, planners, developers, engineers, business, marketing, health and utilities, the introduction of “education for digital-earth” is of paramount importance to the EU Education and Training 2020 initiative.
The digital-earth.eu network was launched by Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Austria in July 2011. It represents a unique collaboration among a wide range of organisations dealing with geoinformation in school education from across Europe. Participants connected with teacher education, teacher training and schools will produce guidance and resources for teachers and policy makers. The goal is to share and promote innovative practices and persuade decision makers of the importance of geo-media and state-of-the-art learning developments. A network of accredited national and regional experts will act as multipliers, working with teachers and educators in their own countries.
Currently, the European Centre has 76 partners from 22 European countries, including schools, teacher education and training institutions as well as national Ministries of Education and European associations. New members, especially from countries that are not yet involved, are welcome to join. Find further information on the network and how to join at www.digital-earth.eu.