• info@techtribes.org
Website logo-01Website logo-01Website logo-01Website logo-01
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Our Team
    • FAQs
  • Our Work
    • Digital Literacy & Inclusion
    • Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
    • Digital Participation & Advocacy
    • Non-Profit Tech
  • Blog
    • Tech for Good Case Studies
    • Tech Talk
    • News & Success Stories
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
English

When Digital Meets Art: Can Low-Cost Online Software Transform Student Experience and Bring about Hidden Creativity?

In a school where resources are limited and the demand of new student registration never ceases to shorten due to constant Syrian refugee influx into Jordan, both teachers and the administration of al Rubaie’ Bint Al Mouawath Girls School in Mafraq find it difficult to cope with all pressure. Having to teach an average of 45 students in a classroom only gives little space for creativity. A group of teachers decided to stand together to shake the status quo and revolutionize teaching. This is the story of one.

Ms. Bardees Owaidat, an Art Teacher with a mission to revolutionize her classroom with new interactive learning techniques, embraced this opportunity to develop her skills in what the World Wide Web has to offer. “Having taken the decision to enrol in the training, I knew I had the creativity (given that I am an Art Teacher), but maybe not the skills to use the Internet with my students. I am a firm believer that talent is developed by practice, but it never occurred to me that I can work with my students on developing their sense of art online.” she expressed.

Early in 2016, Tech Tribes, with the support and direction of UNESCO Amman Office and with a kind donation from the Government of Finland, joined forces with a group of 12 teachers to activate the recently-launched Youth Information Center (YIC) in al Rubaie’ Bint Al Mouawath Girls School in Mafraq. This effort came in the form of a teachers’ training program that aimed to expose teachers to recent technologies in order to use information and communications technology (ICT) skills in the attainment of curriculum learning objectives and to promote research and innovation in both teaching and learning.

“I teach a group of students who fled the war in Syria. I can see that some still suffer from trauma and cannot express themselves to the fullest. I always tried to find a way to help; but with our limited resources, I mostly felt helpless.” Ms. Owaidat says.

The Youth Information Center (YIC) project consists of two computer clusters and a renovated interactive library; it aims to help strengthen community cohesion in a setting where Syrian refugees are hosted. The project equips students and their educators with the knowledge, personal and social skills to be part of a cooperative, rights- based, and understanding medium.

“Both the computer clusters and the library have given me enough space to get creative with my students. I now assign them in groups to research world artists, sculptures and sometimes musicians! (she says in excitement). They are embracing this opportunity to access information to the fullest. The exposure they can get to online resources is one of a kind.” Ms. Owaidat added.

“My journey was both fun and fruitful. As an Art Teacher, I experimented with joy some of the different applications and websites through which I can make use of online resources to enrich the classroom environment. I am still learning (giggles) but I can proudly say that I am not the old-fashioned Art Teacher that uses scissors and coloring pens.” Ms. Owaidat expressed.

Share
93
Tech Tribes
Tech Tribes
Tech Tribes helps young Arab changemakers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits & architect low-cost and replicable interactive tech solutions that can help them solve community issues and enhance public participation.

Related posts

September 3, 2020

Tech Tribes with IREX and partners to implement USAID’s Youth Excel: Our Knowledge, Leading Change


Read more
September 1, 2020

Glucomate App: Turning Community Health Challenges into Scalable Healthcare Technology Opportunities


Read more

Sunderland University MBA student Abedalraham Al-Zghoul Picture: DAVID WOOD

November 3, 2019

Bread for Education: Creating Educational Opportunities Through Innovative Community Mobilisation.


Read more
November 2, 2019

SOWA EX App: Innovating Solid Waste Management via Consumer Engagement and Reward Systems.


Read more

Closeup of businessman holding smartphone with cloud computing symbol

October 30, 2019

Matar App: Collaborative Content Sharing and Audio-Recording for the Visually Impaired


Read more
July 12, 2019

Tech Tribes Supports Humanitarian Learning in Jordan through Gamification


Read more

All Categories

Contact Us

  • Address
  • Send Us a Message

Join Our Team

  • Careers
  • Internship Opportunities

Privacy Policy

  • Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use
© 2020 Tech Tribes. All Rights Reserved.