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Tuesday, 17 April 2007 |
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Yaroslav Ovcharenko, Uzbekistan On March 23, Thirteen's program manager Maribel Martinez presented the program “It’s a Big Big World" for more than 20 teachers and students interested in using TV programs in the classroom.
Ms. Martinez presented a new approach of teaching, explained how to make classes for younger students more interesting and showed how to develop children’s motivation to study different subjects. For instance, during their work on the project, they conducted a variety of mini-projects on math for many schools. One such project was the “Bermuda Triangle Project," which was a contest for students talented in math. The ”International Math Fair” was an event on math activities and enabled participants to exchange their experiences. The "History of Math" was an example of using an after-school program to teach the history and background of math.
Fred Boss, an art teacher from Ireland, explained how the "Bermuda Triangle" project could be applied across subject areas. "I thought it was a novel and exciting way to introduce a more practical look at trigonometry," he said. "The great thing about it is that it can easily be used across the curriculum to bring in other subjects too. The students looked at how to work out the area of the Bermuda Triangle using trigonometry, but they could then look at the cultures and countries that fall within its boundaries, maybe even their history too."
The presenters also suggested different ways of improving education, including developing school culture, curricula, experimental and virtual learning.
David Mc Hugh, a PEARL Reporter from Ireland, noted, "From this session I learned that more than one culture can be used to teach more than one subject. It helped me to realize the innovative ways in which different cultures can be used in teaching. I now have a better understanding of virtual learning and how it's not just sitting at a computer and googling everything that comes your way."
The purpose of the session was evidently achieved: to attract more students and teachers to "It’s A Big Big World" with its original educational principle that "science isn't a bunch of facts, it's a process of discovery" and to incorporate their project ideas into the planning of math, science and social studies activities. |
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