Incorporating technology in education

Eating at your desk and working on the computer makes you far more likely to snack later in the day.

ISLAMABAD: Intel Education awards were handed out on Thursday in recognition of the impressive performance of outstanding schools and teachers from Islamabad and Fata region. Intel Pakistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education organised the ceremony.

Out of many teachers and schools who participated in the Intel Teach Programme contest, five emerged as grand winners. These were honoured for using technology effectively in promoting inquiry-based learning. First award went to Hina Qamer of Beacon House School System, Wah Cant, while Shazia Tahir of Fauji Foundation Model School, Muree stood second. Faryal Haseeb of Fauji Foundation Model School, Adiala Road Rawalpindi, Rasheeda Shariq Roots School System, Islamabad and Fouzia Tariq of Roots Junior School, Satellite Town were the winners of third, fourth and fifth awards, respectively.

The Intel programme is now eight-years old in Pakistan. It is focused on training the teachers to support technology-integrated learning and enhancing students’ skills. “Intel Education Awards are held with the objectives of keeping teachers abreast with the latest teaching methodologies,” said Naveed Miraj, Country Manager, Intel Pakistan Corporation.

“Outstanding schools and teachers who demonstrate innovative use of technology are recognised for their efforts to inculcate cutting-edge skills in our students; so that there are competitive in the real world,” he added.

Miraj said that technology played an important role in developing these skills and Intel and the government were working hand-in-hand to train teachers across the country.

“These awards aim to motive teachers and school administrations to enhance technology implementation in the classrooms and adopt the latest skills in teaching the students,” he said.

Intel has trained 279,097 teachers in Pakistan, reaching out to over 75 cities and districts in the country.

Intel Education has also conducted forums and workshops focusing on integrating technology and modern methods in the teaching and learning processes in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Secretary Education Muhammad Akram Tahir said, “E-learning has become essential for world economy and transformation of knowledge.”

He appreciated the role of Intel for promoting E-learning and imparting training to the teachers for the last eight years.

He said that it was an era of competition and the students should be prepared to cope with the challenges. “There is a need to change the mindsets and visions of the students to achieve the millennium targets,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2010.