Leading Schools share best practices to Empower Teachers

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Use of Twitter and robotics in classrooms, among highly anticipated workshops at this year’s show

 Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 25 February 2016 – Innovative teaching best practices will take the spotlight at the forthcoming Global Educational Supplies & Solutions (GESS) and Global Education Forum (GEF) as Dubai hosts the region’s premier education exhibition and conference.

Schools participating include Sharjah American International School, German University College Riyadh, Al Ramaqeia Model School for Boys (Sharjah Education Zone), American Community School of Abu Dhabi, Brighton College Al Ain, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Greenfield Community School (Taleem), The City International School, ASPAM International Indian School, Ajman Academy, Greenfield Community School and Rugby School.

Teachers from these schools will lead interactive sessions on how to use Twitter in classrooms, robotics and computing; as well as coding, which has been gaining traction in Western schools as the next must-have skill for students.

“The ‘Schools-in-Action’ feature of this year’s edition of the show is our way of empowering teachers on how the latest technologies are being used to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Since the level of technological adoption varies across schools, sharing best practices will hopefully be an enlightening experience for education professionals visiting the show as they learn from their peers and maximise the technological tools that are increasingly being adopted in schools and being incorporated into curriculums across the region,” said Rhona Greenhill, Conference Director, GESS Dubai and GEF 2016.

Powered by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme, ‘Schools-in-Action’ also features presentations by local and international experts who will explore a wide range of topics, such as Connecting the World’s Youth through Technology (Global Nomads Group), Exploring Serious Games in 21st Century Classrooms (The University of Auckland, New Zealand), Hypervideo-based Learning Scenarios in Vocational Education and Training (Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training), 3D Environments in Education: The Best of Future Technology (Education Zone), and The Benefits of Teaching with Twitter in the Classroom (Ras Al Khaimah College – Higher College of Technology), among others.

HE Mohammed Gheyath DG Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Progamme“Open dialogue to discuss technology trends and best practices with vendors at the forefront of educational technologies is extremely important in the ever-changing digital landscape. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program has seen through the use of technology, both increased student engagement and teacher effectiveness, both inside the classroom and beyond. We continue to keep abreast of technological advances to reap the benefits of their transformative power. GESS offers a platform for first-hand exploration of innovative technology for education and we are delighted to participate,” commented His Excellency Mohammed Gheyath, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme.

An equally important highlight of this year’s edition of GESS Dubai is the SPARK Dubai Lead Meet, an event hosted by teachers for teachers aimed at creating opportunities for those interested in education to take the lead, share practice, discover new ideas, network and be inspired. It will have a keynote presentation by Ewan McIntosh, international speaker on innovation, design thinking and creativity, who will also be conducting a live video trail throughout the exhibition floor designed to help teachers try out some of the new technologies being showcased at the exhibition.

“I’m delighted to be back in GESS, and thrilled to be doing the video trail that will help teachers try hands on some of the new technologies that they would sometimes be hesitant to explore. The show presents an exciting prospect to discover how some of the most interesting innovations can enhance the learning experience in classrooms, and we will be there to help them get the most out of the opportunity,” said McIntosh.

Also lending their expert insights are speakers from GEMS Education, with Linda Rush, Vice President for Professional Learning, who will lead a panel discussion on distinct schools-led teacher training; as well as Taleem, with Maggie Wright, Director of Education and Performance, who will share elite performance techniques to help teachers achieve better results in classrooms.