Send Article | Print Article |
Rota open house showcases online project-based learning | ||
IN continuation of its community education initiatives, the Qatar-based NGO Reach Out To Asia (Rota) organised an open house yesterday as part of its Connect ROTAsia programme with iEARN-Qatar – the International Education and Resource Network in the country. The event at the Qatar Academy Senior School in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, highlighted the success of the Connect ROTAsia programme and the pilot phase of iEARN-Qatar and Knowledge Network. It also emphasised the future steps and welcomed participation from various schools in the country to be part of the initiative. The programme, one of the main components of the Connect ROTAsia-Knowledge Network initiative, is aimed at creating a Qatar-based community of educators and students. The event showcased the global online collaboration between the students and teachers in the pilot phase across various sectors including science, environment, language and culture. The professional development for teachers through the phase and the benefits of the collaboration through the network with over 120 iEARN communities around the world was in focus. Rota director Omnia Nour described the open house as the culmination of the pilot phase of the programme and explained that it has played a big role in facilitating the capacity building, by involving teachers and students in sharing best practices and online project-based learning. She thanked Qatar Academy for allowing Rota to use their facilities throughout the pilot phase. The event brought together students and teachers from the various institutions which participated in the pilot phase, including Abdul Rahman Bin Jassim Independent Preparatory School for Boys, Al Wakra Independent Secondary School for Boys, Al Yarmook Independent Preparatory School for Boys, Doha Academy, Hamza Bin Abdul Muttalib Preparatory Independent School for Boys, Omar Bin Al Khattab Preparatory School for Boys, Qatar Leadership Academy and Qatar Preparatory School for Girls. Connect ROTAsia head Cherie Clark-Moore observed that the implementation of the programme was aimed at establishing online and face-to-face connections between schools in Qatar and the 120-plus countries of iEARN International. “We have seen how effectively the programme facilitated intercultural exchanges, besides bringing teachers and students together on an international K-12 community and best practices platform,” the official said. It was pointed out that the Connect ROTAsia programme connects schools and higher education institutions in Qatar with similar institutions in developing Asian countries. During the open house, the teachers and students presented the results of their online projects executed with the support of iEARN co-ordinators. It also showcased the various programmes/ workshops and events to be organised later this year and 2009. The iEARN-Qatar programme is being implemented in three phases: establishment and initiation between March and July 2008; capacity building of trainers and school co-ordinators and international expansion of iEARN-Qatar community between September 2008 and July 2009; and iEARN-Qatar joining the iEARN-Arabia regional network between September 2009 and July 2010. The Knowledge Network community is helping in sharing the knowledge and expertise of schools and higher education institutions in Qatar with similar institutions in developing Asian countries via a web-based portal. It is also helping the establishment of online and physical connections between schools and universities in Qatar and developing Asian countries through online and physical programs, activities and services. iEARN is the world’s largest non-profit global network that enables young people to use the Internet and other new technologies to engage in collaborative educational projects across the globe |