Nearly 130 science and math teachers in Abu Dhabi learned innovative teaching techniques at a recent two-day webinar. Sessions with live demonstrations and experiments guided them on how important hands-on classroom activities can be translated into effective virtual seat works.
The webinar, titled ‘Milestone Lessons’, were organised by the Abu Dhabi chapter of Science India Forum – UAE, a volunteer organisation. Among the speakers were experts from the Mumbai-based Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT). Educators joining from India, Brijesh Pare, D.V. Prabhu and Anand Mandhian, elaborated on the challenges faced by teachers and how to adapt to changing circumstances.
Siji Sudhakaran, a math teacher at Abu Dhabi Indian School Al Wathba, said the webinars helped her embrace digital learning and confront the challenges.
“The sessions focused on hand-on activities. With this pandemic, teachers are facing problems with hands-on activities during the online learning sessions. The session will help us mould students for conceptual learning.”
Ganga Lekshmi, chemistry teacher at Dunes International School, Abu Dhabi, said the sessions on experiential learning in science would serve them well.
“It was an informative session with detailed presentations like the one by Brijesh Pare on exploring the scientific process through the discovery of oxygen. D.V. Prabhu enlightened us about the importance of chemistry in everyday life, investigations and researches, career opportunities, and so on.”
Pare hoped the teachers would return to the classrooms with key takeaways. “I hope we will be able to inculcate scientific interest among students.”
Hareesh Kumar, forum general secretary, said that with e-learning becoming part of the new normal, there is a need to support teachers with professional development resources.
“So far, more than 12 webinars have been conducted free of charge by the SIF team, aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of the Indian teaching community in the UAE.”
© Khaleej Times
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