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Slide 1: >> Global Connections & Exchange Digital Youth Dialogue << APRIL 2011 DYD is a program of the United States Embassy in Kyrgyzstan. GCE is a program of the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Slide 2: IN THIS ISSUE: >> Global Connections & Exchange: Deputy Minister of Education Now Online, Using Skype to Keep in Contact with School Directors GCE Teacher Plays Important Role in Organizing 8th Annual FORUM Conference Schools in Kyrgyzstan Connect withTesting Expert on Skype, Get Advice on University Entrance Exams Talas Students Make Virtual Connections, Face to Face www.irex.org >> Digital Youth Dialogue: The Internet Connects Librarians from Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan Jalal-Abad Library Hosts Presentation to Celebrate Website Launch Students of Gagarin School Launch their First School Newspaper Unemployed Individuals Improve Their IT Skills at JalalAbad Library Training Teachers are Learning New ICT Skills Thanks to DYD Students Karakol School Conducts Seminar for Rural Teachers on Using ICT in the Classroom Thanks to GCE-provided Internet Connection, Sixteen Satylganov Students Win at Regional Olympiad
Slide 3: www.irex.org Deputy Minister of Education Now Online, Using Skype to Keep in Contact with School Directors On April 5, Deputy Minister of Education Gulzhigit Soronkulov took part in his first IT training session with IREX staff members Akjol Joroev and Tynchtyk Zhanadylov. Soronkulov learned how to use Gmail and Skype to stay in touch with school directors around the country. sues taking place in Kyrgyzstan’s schools; [using Skype] saved time, as many issues can be discussed and solved over video conference [technology].” Talas School No. 2 director Uvarkin agreed, noting that “[Using] Skype calls can help us get direct and accurate information from the Deputy Minister; Skype is a very effective tool to help us solve problems at our schools.” GCE Teacher Plays Important Role in Organizing 8th Annual FORUM Conference This March, GCE participants and staff attended FORUM’s 8th Annual Conference held in Talas that hosted 140 participants from across Kyrgyzstan. This year’s conference theme was “Using Technology to Enhance Education,” proposed by GCE teacher and FORUM Branch Coordinator Rakiya Kamchibekova, to highlight how information technology can improve teachers’ effectiveness and give students greater opportunities to learn. Deputy Minister of Education Soronkulov uses Skype to discuss school issues with directors Following his lesson, the Deputy Minister put his new skills into practice, and placed a video call to school directors Evgeniy Uvarkin, of School No. 2 in Talas, and Yury Vasiliev, of School No. 2 in Kyzyl-Kiya. During the call, the three discussed school Olympiads, teachers’ salaries, and the FORUM conference which was recently hosted in Talas. Deputy Minister Soronkulov was pleased with the technology helping him to more effectively carry out his duties: “Skype allowed me to hold discussions with school directors about educational is- GCE Training Officer Tynchtyk Zhanadylov presents about GCE at the 8th Annual FORUM Conference 1
Slide 4: www.irex.org Kamchibekova played an important role in the event’s organization: she helped coordinate the hosting of participants in Talas, and took part in the planning and logistics for the Conference. GCE Training Officer Tynchtyk Zhanadylov demonstrated GCE’s online projects and videoconferences with U.S. schools during his presentation. He also introduced participants to Kyrgyzstan’s Educational Network (link) and gave a tutorial on how to launch a school website using the free Google Sites platform. Kamchibekova took a moment to express her thoughts on the work that went into the event’s success: “It was a great challenge to organize this conference in Talas, but I am glad that the participants were able to make it happen.” formation on the examination, including results from previous years and practice materials. Following the call, students were able to ask further questions via hotline numbers provided on the site. Aizada Tynchybek kyzy, a student in attendance, found the call informative: ...We got lots of new information on how to take the test successfully, and learned where to find all the necessary information. Before [this call], I did not know the difference between the national examination and the test prepared by this center…” Schools in Kyrgyzstan Connect with Testing Expert on Skype, Get Advice on University Entrance Exams On four dates in April, 16 teachers and 170 students from Digital Youth Dialogue (DYD) and Global Connections & Exchange (GCE) program schools participated in a Skype call with Chinara Batrakeeva, Media Specialist of the Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods (CEATM). The call was organized so students could ask questions about the National Scholarship Test, designed to gauge students’ preparedness for university study and make access to higher education more equal, basing admissions off concrete assessment results. While giving advice on how best to prepare for the test, Batrakeeva directed students to www.testing.kg, an online source of detailed in- School No. 14 Students in Jalal-Abad during Skype call with the Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education and Science recently decreed that students must pass this test to attend university in the country; as a result of this call, these students will be more informed, and more prepared. Talas Students Make Virtual Connections, Face to Face In April, 60 students at GCE partner School No. 2 in Talas took part in a video conference call with students at Del Valle High School in Del Valle, Texas. The call was organized through the United States Peace Corps’ World Wise Schools 2
Slide 5: www.irex.org Correspondence Match Program (link) and was made possible through the internet connectivity provided by GCE. Students in Talas have sent about 30 email messages to their counterparts in Texas, and have received back more than 50 since their correspondence began, all of which were written in English, providing students with crucial practice of their language skills. Additionally, their call gave the students in Talas the chance to practice understanding and conversing with native speakers – something they can’t do at home. Karakol School Conducts Seminar for Rural Teachers on Using ICT in the Classroom On April 12, Satylganov School English teachers Akylbek Kojobekov, Samara Janybekova, GCE Teacher Exchange Alumna Aizat Omurbaeva, and Peace Corps Volunteer Jennifer Isely conducted demonstration lessons and a seminar for 23 English teachers from rural communities in the IssykKul oblast. The teachers showcased the different ways that ICT can be integrated into a language lesson to benefit students’ learning. The trainers showed how to integrate research via Google into language lessons, and how to use PowerPoint as a flash card and vocabulary presentation tool. The trainers held a seminar for the attending educators on integrating ICT and communicative methodology into their lessons, showing how these practices can save time, increase engagement, and improve their lessons overall. Students at Talas School No. 2 greet a peer at a Texas school for the first time Jibek Tursunkulova, a tenth grade student, shared her appreciation for exchanges like this in helping to improve her educational opportunities: “[During online exchanges], I have had the chance to practice my English and it helped me prepare for the TOEFL test…. I got fourth place and an award from the Republican Olympiad! I also was accepted to an exchange program in the United States, and I am writing to my penpals in Texas – maybe I can meet them when I go to the USA!” On April 12, a GCE Teacher trains her colleagues on ICT integration in the classroom at Satylganov School 3
Slide 6: www.irex.org Ainura Sarybay kyzy, a teacher in attendance, shared that “I liked this seminar very much; I learned a lot of new and useful things, like how to use PowerPoint – I see how using technology can save time and make lessons more interesting for learners.” Azim Kadyraliev, the winner during the chemistry competition, shared that “I am very glad that I could use the internet to prepare for the Olympiad. Reviewing chemical experiments online was a great way to learn. I will continue to work; victory comes to those who work hard.” Thanks to GCE-provided Internet Connection, Sixteen Satylganov Students Win at Regional Olympiad Thanks to the internet connection available in their computer lab, sixteen students from Satylganov School, Karakol became winners of the regional Olympiad. In the past, students prepared for the Olympiads every year using only old textbooks. Today, the skills the students developed during training and lessons given by GCE teachers helped them to effectively use web resources to do research and be better prepared. The students were proud of their achievements; several spoke about what helped them get this far, and what will help them as they move forward to the next round of competition: Begimai Tilekmat kyzy winner in the Computer Skills Olympiad shared, “I used the internet a lot to prepare! My achievement was thanks to the GCE program.” Nursultan Shakitov, a winner at the Algebra competition said, “Next month I will go to the Republican Olympiad and I am sure I will continue preparing with online materials. The sites I found on [Kyrgyzstan’s] international mathematics Olympiads and the National Olympiads on mathematics were very helpful to win in a strong contest.” Begimai Tilekmat kyzy of Satylganov School, takes a break from studying — she is one of sixteen winners at the recent Regional Olympiad 4
Slide 7: www.irex.org The Internet Connects Librarians from Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan On April 21, 11 participants from Kyrgyzstan participated in their first international videoconference with their colleagues from Molodaya Gvardia Library (Young Guard), in Kiev, Ukraine. The video conference brought together librarians and directors of Jalal-Abad Oblast library, Central Kyzyl-Kiya Library, and Alay Central Library, as well as Rosa Sultangazieva, Director of Republican Children’s and Youth Library and Head of Library & Informational Consortium of Kyrgyzstan. Prior to video-conference, participants from Kyrgyzstan visited the library’s website and compiled questions they were interested in to. Galina Konashko, Director of Molodaya Gvardiya Library, then addressed those questions during the conference call. Questions that interested librarians from Kyrgyzstan ranged from the type of methods their counterparts use when working with youth to their experience working with people with disabilities as well as what methodological assistance Molodaya Gvardia provides to other libraries. Konashko spoke about how her library works, what type of outreach activities they conduct in order to attract Kiev youth to the library, which types of events that they offer, and which methods and activities they use to partner with different organizations in the area of education and youth. She mentioned that constant intensive training for library staff is needed and has increased her employees’ skills. All Molodaya Gvardia library staff use the computer and other technology in their work. "Our first video conference experience was effective and I can see that library employees in Kyrgyzstan know their job and understand the importance of technology in advancing libraries’ work,” remarked Konashko after the call. “We look forward to further cooperation.” Molodaya Gvardia Library director Galina Konashko greets her peers in Kyrgyzstan The Librarians from Kyrgyzstan greatly enjoyed their first international video conference: "We have received useful information on using technology and how the library staff develops their computer and Internet skills by reporting and working with projects. We will definitely use their experience in improving [our] library service” said Seyilkan Atalieva, director of the JalalAbad Library. Thanks to the internet connection provided by the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan through Digital Youth Dialogue program, librarians in Kyrgyzstan can now communicate with their colleagues abroad and exchange information that will help make library services better and relevant to their patrons. Participants both from Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine seeing benefit of such an exchange agreed to continue their virtual meetings and sharing information and next conference call is planned to take place in May. "We are glad to have this online dialogue; I liked their work with mass media and how effectively they involve [it] in their library's work… We will also try to get some experience from their work and will improve the work of our library too." — Shakarkan Maksutova, Director of Kyzyl-Kya Library 5
Slide 8: www.irex.org Jalal-Abad Library Hosts Presentation to Celebrate Website Launch On April 4, the Jalal-Abad Oblast Library held an event for all branches of their library and employees announcing the library’s website launch. The presentation, held by DYD librarians Ulan Jaichiev and Sveta Krasovskaya and their director Seyil Atalieva, aimed to introduce the new website and explain to users how it will benefit them in their search for information about the library’s services, operations, and history. The site is recording more hits every day since its launch in April, and is now working with branch librarians to teach them how to develop their own web presences. DYD librarian Krasovskaya shared her thoughts on the website: “Our website is the face of our institution, where visitors can view all of the achievements that have contributed to our image. The exchange of information through this new method increases our reach to attract new patrons. In working on this website, our staff improved their skills, gained new knowledge, and developed further as a team.” Link: Jalal-Abad Oblast Library Students of Gagarin School Launch their First School Newspaper Following training by DYD on how to get a journalism club started, students at Gagarin school in Isfana just launched their school’s first newspaper. Elnur Mavliankul uulu, who currently serves as the leader of the journalism club, worked with his peers to make the paper a reality. Gagarin School recently published their school’s first newspaper For the first issue of Interkosmo, named in honor of the Cosmonauts, the first of whom is their school’s namesake, the students did their own research to create an article on the historic figure Alay Queen Kurmanjan Datka as a larger piece. The students also made sure to include all the sections to be expected of a newspaper, even a sports section. They created the newspaper using Microsoft Publisher after receiving training on the software through DYD. Teachers have caught on to their work, as well: Jarkinay Alykulova, a Kyrgyz language teacher at Gagarin, expressed her impressions from the students’ hard work: “I was excited to help them work on their ideas, and provided some consultation on good writing in Kyrgyz. I think their paper will be an excellent platform for sharing students’ ideas, and to promote our school’s web presence as well.” Patrons from three generations take a look at the Jalal-Abad Oblast Library’s new website 6
Slide 9: www.irex.org Unemployed Individuals Improve Their IT Skills at Jalal-Abad Library Training On April 10, nine unemployed community members attended a training session on computer basics and the internet at the Jalal-Abad Oblast Library. All the attendees hold degrees from higher education institutions, but due to economic and skill set circumstances, have yet to find permanent work. They attended these training sessions to improve their chances and their abilities for the future job hunt, as at present many careers are linked to computer skills. As many of these youth lack sufficient computer skills and the opportunity to practice, turning to the library was a natural option when they discovered that it started offering these services since partnering with DYD. During the training, they developed new competency and confidence in using Microsoft Word, performing basic research on the web with search engines like Google, and learned how to create presentations using Microsoft’s PowerPoint software. The participants also learned how to print, communicate over Skype and instant messaging programs, and how to compose and send email. Nazgul Osmonova, a participant in the training sessions, holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics. After taking the course for two weeks at the JalalAbad Library, she found a vacancy in Kyrgyzstan with the French NGO ACTED, and submitted an electronic copy of her CV, which she learned how to make at the training. She says, “Today, my dream is to become a good business manager to work on projects. To meet that goal, I learned to create a resume and will improve my computer skills and knowledge; I hope to get a better job with my new skills!” Teachers are Learning New ICT Skills Thanks to DYD Students Tech Age Girl (TAG) Shahnoza Zokirova and DYD student Muhiddin Yuldashev conducted a training for their teachers in the American Resource Center at Chingiz Aitmatov School in Osh. Zokirova and Yuldashev trained their teachers on internet and computing basics, including productivity with the Microsoft Office Suite, using email, conducting web research, and finding news online from local and national websites like 24.kg and Fergana.ru. During the training, teachers were also directed to bilimkeni.kg, Kyrgyzstan’s Educational Portal, where they were able to read about new lesson plans, educational news in Kyrgyzstan, and participate in discussions on the teaching profession. As Jalal-Abad Public Library is offering IT training to the unemployed, above, who are learning skills in computer basics and the internet 7
Slide 10: www.irex.org a practical and creative outlet, the teachers were given an assignment to compose their own PowerPoint presentations on a subject of their choosing. Before long, they were successfully working with the programs across the whole Office suite, impressing their students at what adept learners they were. For the teachers, however, developing these skills is not a hobby, but a crucial element in their ongoing professional development. Zamira Djuraeva, a Russian language teacher in attendance, noted “We [teachers] need to study the computer even more than students; we must learn how to modernize our lessons and make them more relevant with new technology.” Students teaching teachers at a computer and internet basics training at the American Resource Center 8