We are living in a world where tablets are replacing our textbooks, students are learning more from Google and can research about anything on their smartphones and laptops. Increasingly more and more educators think that technology has a positive impact on the education process and are willing to use more of it in their daily practice. To equip teachers in digital teaching and learning methods, UNESCO MGIEP brought together 25 teachers from 6 different countries to initiate a process of change in our classrooms.

Teachers from South Asian Countries come together for TECH 2018
13-17-November, 2018 

Recognizing the need to introduce and train teachers in key technology-oriented approaches, UNESCO MGIEP brought together more than 25 teachers from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India to attend TECH 2018. The teachers were exclusively introduced to MGIEP’s flagship programmes on technology-oriented approaches towards socio-emotional learning. This was the first, small step towards Institute’s endeavour to form a community of teachers who are trained in digital pedagogies for socio-emotional learning.  

The teachers were exclusively introduced to UNESCO MGIEP’s Libre and DICE (Digital Intercultural Exchange) programme. Libre is a curriculum for young learners that builds four core skills of 1) Mindfulness or awareness 2) Empathy 3) Compassion 4) Critical Inquiry. The curriculum is based on evidence from cognitive neuroscience that advocates for learning processes that involve the ‘Whole Brain’, i.e pedagogy that builds both intellectual and emotional intelligence.  Apart from that, teachers exclusively participated in the workshop on how to engage students in a digital dialogue, as part of the institute’s DICE (Digital Intercultural Exchange) programme. DICE is an ICT enabled, a school-based programme that connects students from across the globe and helps them engage in a dialogue on critical global issues such as migration, climate change, etc. The programme focusses on building 21st-century skills such as Intercultural Communication, Collaboration and Perspective Taking. Some of the teachers travelled from remote parts of their countries to attend the conference and were excited to be a part of the conference. 

As intended, the conference was a great learning experience for the teachers. In the words of Ms. Nisha Chaudhary from St. Anslem’s School, Jaipur who was attending the conference for the first time, “found the conference discourse very invigorating and would like to take some of the ideas to my school”. She found the conference a great place to find like-minded educators and form a relevant professional network.  In the words of Ms. Shoba Macintyre from Malaysia, “TECH 2018, is full of ideas and possibilities for the teachers. I am excited to be part of UNESCO MGIEP’s journey for a more peace and inclusive society”

Going forward, a cohort from these teachers will be part of the UNESCO MGIEP’s Libre and DICE projects and continue their support and participation in MGIEP’s journey for a sustainable and peaceful society. 
 

For further details, please contact project officer Ms Aditi Pathak at a.pathak@unesco.org