NOTE TO ALL APPLICANTS TO OAS SCHOLARSHIPS

PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING

The application must be completed in its entirety before exiting the site or submitting the form. The information you enter can be saved as you are working on it during this session. However, information cannot be saved for another session before the application is submitted. We strongly suggest that you print the blank application form; prepare the narrative information in a separate Word document which you can copy and paste into the on-line application form, and fill out the other data by hand on the application form before you begin to fill out the form on line. Once you access and open the form, it can remain open (without exiting or submitting it) indefinitely, so you will have time to fillout the form and check your information before submitting it. No changes will be permitted after you submit the form.

This application must be completed on-line.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

“Quality in Basic Education (Special Caribbean Edition)”

                                              OAS/DHD/CIR. 109/2009

 

1)    Study venue:  The course will be delivered entirely online (Internet) through the Educational Portal of the Americas Virtual Classroom

 

2)            Coordinator:    Rosario V. Popovici – e-mail: [email protected]

3)            Modality:                       On-line

 

5)      Start and end dates:    September 9^th to December 2^nd, 2009

 

6)      Course duration:         12 weeks

                                               

7)      Language:                      English

8)      General Objectives:  This course offers an introduction to the philosophy of quality education. Its objective is to provide primary and secondary-level school teachers and administrators with the conceptual and methodological tools necessary to improve basic educational services from a team-based approach

9)   Specific Objectives:

At the conclusion of the course it is hoped that participants will have acquired knowledge of the conceptual and methodological tools necessary to improve basic educational services, as well as the ability to apply their newfound knowledge and cognitive skills to their institutional settings.

  10)     Specific Objectives:

At the conclusion of the course it is hoped that participants will have acquired knowledge of the conceptual and methodological tools necessary to improve basic educational services, as well as the ability to apply their newfound knowledge and cognitive skills to their institutional settings.

  11)     Program:

The 12-week course is organized in modules that include selected readings and related activities accessed through an on-line teaching platform or "Virtual Classroom". The course is organized into ten content modules (one each week), as well as one week dedicated to introducing the Virtual Classroom and its tools, and one week for conclusions and final evaluation:

 

 

12)       Methodology: 

This online course is delivered under the academic and technical supervision of tutors. The tutors guide participants throughout the duration of course by:

1. helping them to access course content;
2. suggesting reading and reference materials;
3. analyzing and evaluating assigned activities; and
4. Resolving technical problems and answering questions.

In addition, the tutors provide students with a weekly analysis of participant responses and make individual interventions when necessary. 

13)            Requirements:

·         Be citizens or permanent residents of any OAS member country.

·         Be currently employed as a primary or secondary level school teacher or administrator, or teacher trainer, in any of the English-speaking Caribbean countries.

·         Possess basic computer and internet skills. 

·         Be fluent in English

·         Be able to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week for course activities.

·         Be a registered user in the Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org)

·         Have an e-mail account, reliable and efficient. (E-mail accounts are personal and cannot be shared)

·         Have unrestricted access to a computer with Internet with following minimum technical specifications:

NOTE: Access to technological hardware and connectivity (internet and email) costs are responsibility of the participant.

·         The request should include an e-mail. Requests that do not include an e-mail will not be considered.

·         Submission of completed application form by the deadline set by the National Liaison Organization (ONE).[1]  It is the candidate’s responsibility to ascertain the deadline set by the ONE in his or her country of residence 

 

14)  OAS Scholarship Selection Criteria:  In accordance with article 4.2. of the Manual of Procedures of the Scholarship and Training Programs of the OAS, OAS scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria:

·         The objectives and priorities established in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development;

• The training priorities of the member states;
• The merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;
• The financial need of the candidate; and
• An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all member states and that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies.  

15)   Benefits: 

  The Department of Human Development will cover the complete registration fee of the selected candidates. 

 

16)  Responsibilities of the Selected Candidates:

• The selected candidates must confirm their acceptance to the OAS General Secretariat Office in their respective countries and through the ONE in order for the OAS to proceed with making the necessary arrangements or, if the scholarship is refused, to appoint another candidate.
• The selected candidates must confirm their acceptance of the scholarship by signing and returning to DHD their completed “form of acceptance of the scholarship award”; that the OAS Department of Human Development will send to their e-mails.
• Upon selection, candidates must accept the scholarship by confirming their availability to follow the course during the period indicated and their acceptance of the duly provided conditions of study. 
•  If the fellow declines, cancel or terminates the Scholarship after the course or program has started without giving enough proof to the OAS/GS, he or she must reimburse OAS/GS the total amount of incurred costs/expenses.
• Computer access and communication costs (Internet access and e-mail) are the responsibility of the student.  Computer: should include the last versions of browsers. Access to Internet: it should have access to the network from its work place or home. The minimum acceptable modem speed is: 56K modem or faster. Browser: The browser that you use is very important. The e-learning platform requires a browser that allows using Java, JavaScript. These options should be enabled in the browser. Netscape 4.76 o superior (para Windows) Internet Explorer 6 (for Macintosh) or 6 (for Windows) or superior; Mozilla 1.0 for Windows or superior ; Opera 6 for Windows or superior
• In the event a selected candidate accepts the scholarship and then, for good reason, is unable to follow the course, he or she must so inform the Department of Human Development immediately so that it may decide what actions to take.

 17)       Certification:  Participants who successfully complete the course requirements will receive a Certificate.

 

18) Presentation of Candidacies: 

Please Notice:  If you were awarded an OAS Professional Development Scholarship in the past twelve (12) months or if you currently hold an OAS Scholarship for Academic Studies, you are not eligible to apply for another Professional Development Scholarship.

 

The online application form must be completed on-line and can be accessed at: 

http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/online.aspx?culture=en&navid=282;  here you’ll find the announcements of all the online courses, click in the one you are interested in, go though the end of the page, and then you’ll find the “Continue” button which will direct you to the online application form.

Once the applicant has completed the online application form and submitted it, a copy will be sent automatically to his/her e-mail account. This completed form must be printed, signed and submitted to the National Liaison Office (ONE). This is a mandatory requirement. 

 

With all other forms found in the following link:  (http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/formspd.aspx?culture=en&navid=282)

 

Must be completed electronically or in typewritten format.

 

The following is the list of National Liaison Organizations (ONEs) in the OAS Member states:  http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/ones.aspx?culture=en&navid=282

 

Any questions regarding submission of applications for this course should be sent to: [email protected]

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS CORRESPONDING TO THE 2009 REGULAR BUDGET

   

LZea-Yonker/ Quality in Basic Education (Special Caribbean Edition)/Portal de las Américas/2009