DAMMAM, 17 October 2006 — M.C. Sebastian, academic director of Peevees Group Schools and principal of Al-Yasmin International School, has urged teachers to be more creative making use of modern technology to enhance their profession.
Opening Nice Arabia’s educational training seminar and workshop at Al-Khozama International School here recently, Sebastian also spoke about the critical issues faced by students and parents as well as the challenges of the teaching community.
He commended the efforts of Nice Arabia and its faculties for making technology-training part of its continuous learning and education programs. Menon P.G.S., director of Nice Chapters and core resource provider of the organization, spoke about the shift in focus to technology-aided education to achieve optimum results. Menon also explained the SEL concept (Social, Emotional and Learning) during his presentation.
Nice India, the mother organization based in Trichur, Kerala, is also broadening its activities with effective coordination with member institutions and individual and family members, Menon said. Neesha Malik, Nice Arabia’s ladies wing coordinator and trainer, gave a presentation on “Technical competency of teachers” based on a recent research carried out amongst the schools in Eastern Province.
“We have adequate resources available in our schools in the Kingdom, but we have to identify the core areas of technology and put them into use,” she said and called for technical upgradation of classrooms.
Speaking about qualitative aspects of classroom teaching, P.G.R. Nair, a member of the Jubail-based Association of Malayali Professionals in Saudi Arabia, said teachers should create sparks in the minds of children.
Sasi Panicker, manager of Samir Photographics, presented the advantages of converting classrooms into smart rooms. Installation of smart boards could accelerate the process of teaching as well as learning. “A timely investment on these technology products can bring more life and color to our otherwise monotonous classrooms,” he said.