Snunit

Snunit (Hebrew: סנונית) is an Israeli non-profit association dedicated to advancing computer-based and digital education in Israel by integrating technology into teaching, learning and assessment processes. It specializes in developing digital educational content products for the formal school system as well as for leisure-time learning. The association is based in Jerusalem, on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Snunit was established in 1994 as a project of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founded by Prof. Nava Ben-Zvi and Mr. Dudu Rashti, at a time when the internet world was still in its infancy. In the summer of 1999 it became an independent non-profit association, incorporated by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem together with the Nir and Beverly Barkat families. Its CEO is Galit Caspi Maoz. Snunit's flagship initiatives include Galim Pro, a digital educational environment integrated into the Israeli school system, created from the merger of the "Galim" and "At HaDaat" systems. It offers a broad range of quality study content across subjects for pupils in grades 1–9, combining advanced and accessible technology to create an interactive, accessible learning experience suited to the digital age. The environment was developed from an educational vision that sees teaching as a valuable and passionate profession and seeks to reduce the bureaucratic burden on teachers. Through built-in tools, the teaching process can be streamlined, preparation time shortened, and focus placed on the pedagogical aspects of teaching. The environment encourages active learning, inquiry and discovery, aspiring to offer an alternative to printed textbooks and to make pupils active partners in the learning process. Galim, the study environment on the Galim site, is intended for pupils and teachers in grades 1–9, aligned with the curriculum of the Ministry of Education and approved by it. Its underlying pedagogical concept is that the teacher's role is to serve as a compass for the pupil and support the acquisition of skills needed to navigate the sea of information and content worlds. The site went online in September 1998 and has since undergone several upgrades, the most significant in 2017. Galim is a computer-based learning environment meeting the needs of young learners, their teachers and parents, enabling experiential learning that combines knowledge, enjoyment and communication. Galim offers educational projects and games in all domains of knowledge and subjects, as well as topics such as holidays, society and life skills. Galgalon is an experiential learning site for elementary school pupils. It contains all domains of knowledge, and learning is done through a combination of practice and play. The site went live at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a field-driven need to provide a response for children staying at home, and continues to provide quality content to subscribers. Unlike other Snunit initiatives, Galgalon is marketed to the home audience in order to reduce learning gaps and instill independent learning habits in children. In addition to study units, the site also includes a news magazine for children and content for parents. Al HaGova is a joint project of the Snunit Association and the Government ICT Authority ("Memshal Zamin") at the Ministry of Finance. The project's goal is to impart values, knowledge and skills relevant to children's lives today and as adults in Israeli society in the future. To realize this goal, the portal exposes children to a series of central topics including: maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, environmental education, financial education, principles for wise, safe and fair internet use, economical and intelligent use of water and energy resources, developing tools for safe behavior, and internalizing the value of a welfare state. These topics are addressed experientially and enjoyably in an environment rich in animation, games and activities.

Snunit was established in 1994 as a project of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founded by Prof. Nava Ben-Zvi and Mr. Dudu Rashti, at a time when the internet world was still in its infancy. The initiative sought to advance computer-based education in Israel by integrating technology into teaching, learning and assessment processes. In September 1998, the Galim study environment went online, becoming one of Snunit's central educational platforms for pupils and teachers in grades 1–9. In the summer of 1999, Snunit became an independent non-profit association, incorporated by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem together with the Nir and Beverly Barkat families. Over the following decades, Snunit developed a portfolio of digital educational projects. Galim underwent several upgrades, the most significant of which went online in 2017. Galim Pro was created from the merger of the "Galim" and "At HaDaat" systems, offering a broad range of study content across subjects for grades 1–9 with advanced and accessible technology. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Snunit launched Galgalon, an experiential learning site for elementary school pupils, responding to the field-driven need to provide for children staying at home. Unlike other Snunit initiatives, Galgalon is marketed to the home audience to reduce learning gaps and instill independent learning habits. Snunit also developed Al HaGova, a joint project with the Government ICT Authority at the Ministry of Finance, focused on life skills and values for children. Other initiatives include HaZmana LePiyut, a piyut database project later expanded in cooperation with the National Library as the Piyut and Prayer site; the Sefer HaAggadah website, a joint project with Beit Avi Chai; and Sipurim MeHaLev, a bibliotherapy program developed as part of national efforts to rehabilitate the north after the Second Lebanon War. Past projects include Ya Salaam, an Arabic-language learning website under the "Language as a Cultural Bridge" initiative funded by the Abraham Fund Initiatives, and Children's News (Hadashot HaYeladim), a digital literacy site. The association continues to operate from the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with Galit Caspi Maoz serving as CEO.

• 2017

  The most significant upgrade of the Galim site went online.

• 1999

  In the summer, Snunit became an independent non-profit association, incorporated by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Nir and Beverly Barkat families.

• 1998

  Galim study environment went online in September.

• 1994

  Snunit established as a project of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by Prof. Nava Ben-Zvi and Mr. Dudu Rashti.

• Galgalon launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as an experiential learning site for elementary pupils.

• Al HaGova developed as a joint project with the Government ICT Authority at the Ministry of Finance.

• Sipurim MeHaLev developed as part of national efforts to rehabilitate the north after the Second Lebanon War.

Non-profit developer of digital educational content and learning environments for the Israeli school system and home learners, combining pedagogy with accessible technology.

• Galim Pro

  Digital educational environment integrated into the Israeli school system, created from the merger of the "Galim" and "At HaDaat" systems, offering study content for grades 1–9.

• Galim

  Computer-based learning environment for pupils and teachers in grades 1–9, aligned with and approved by the Ministry of Education; online since September 1998.

• Galgalon

  Experiential learning site for elementary school pupils, marketed to the home audience, launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Al HaGova

  Life-skills portal for children developed jointly with the Government ICT Authority at the Ministry of Finance, using games and interactive content.

• HaZmana LePiyut

  Project presenting the world of piyut, with databases of piyutim and melodies and a scholarly database; later expanded with the National Library as the Piyut and Prayer site.

• Sefer HaAggadah website

  Joint project with Beit Avi Chai accompanying the renewed publication of Sefer HaAggadah, featuring stories with links to sources and read-aloud options.

• Sipurim MeHaLev

  Bibliotherapy program helping children cope with stress and crisis situations related to Israel's security reality, operating in schools and at home online.

• Ya Salaam

  Past project: Arabic-language learning website under the "Language as a Cultural Bridge" initiative, funded by the Abraham Fund Initiatives.

• Children's News (Hadashot HaYeladim)

  Past project: digital literacy site giving children tools to understand news and think critically.

1. 1סנונית - לעוף מעבר לדמיוןsnunit.k12.il
2. 2Snunit - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3סנונית (עמותה) - Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org