ictQATAR To Host Exeter University Professor for Interactive Sessions with Teachers and Principals
Doha, Qatar: Traditional approaches to education are fast becoming as outdated as the typewriter and do not equip children with the skills they need for success in the 21st century. How can schools help our children thrive in the knowledge age? By integrating information and communication technologies into the classroom according to Professor Rupert Wegerif from the Graduate School of Education at Exeter University, one of the top teacher training schools in the world.
The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, ictQATAR, will host Dr. Wegerif for two interactive sessions with Qatar's teachers, principals and vice-principals on Monday, 18 January 2010 at the W Hotel in Doha. He will hold a session for principals and vice-principals from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., followed by a session for teachers from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The event is free and those interested should register by emailing their information to malruwaili@ict.gov.qa or faxing it to 499 5537.
"This is an exciting opportunity for educators in Qatar to hear from one of the leading voices on the use of ICT in the classroom. Professor Wegerif's profound research has important implications on the need for schools to integrate ICT into their pedagogy or risk leaving our children unprepared for the challenges of the emerging knowledge society," said Dr. Ghadah Fakieh, ictQATAR's e-Education Manager.
In his sessions, Professor Wegerif plans to outline the challenges of the knowledge age and the ways in which ICT can help education respond to these challenges. He will explore examples of best practices from around the world in terms of ICT in education and share findings from his own research. Professor Wegerif will also suggest practical steps that can be taken by educators in Qatar to best experience the benefits of ICT.
Professor Wegreif has researched and published widely on the use of ICT to teach thinking skills and creativity. His books 'Thinking and Learning with ICT: Raising achievement in Primary Classrooms' (2004) and Dialogic, Education and Technology: Expanding the Space of Learning (2007) develop a dialogic framework for the use of educational technology to teach for knowledge age skills in a global context. He has led several funded research projects on the use of ICT in education and is currently leading a large international project funded by the European Commission on how to improve Science education globally which will include the development of international collaborative science projects using ICT for school students.
ictQATAR's e-Education program is coordinating the event along with its ICT leaders group, a group of teachers in Qatar that helps promote the use of ICT in schools.
-Ends-
ABOUT ictQATAR
The Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) connects people to the technologies that enrich their lives, drive economic development and inspire confidence in the future. ictQATAR is entrusted with two primary authorities: as the country's independent and fair regulator of the telecommunications market, and as the government body that nurtures innovative technologies to benefit those who live and work in Qatar.
Communications Director
Howaida Nadim
T: +974 4995323
F: +974 4995352
M: +974 5873227
email: hnadim@ict.gov.qa
Outreach Manager
Fathy Kassem
T: +974 4995343
F: +974 4995352
M + 974 5395730
email: fkassem@ict.gov.qa
© Press Release 2010
