TechCamp

I participated at TechCamp 2015, organized by the American Ambassy and the Backlot.

TechCamp focused on using technology in innovative ways in the education system. TechCamp participants and trainers came up with ideas on how to solve problems regarding infrastructure in schools (no internet) and how to encourage collaboration among teachers across Suriname who want to make a difference in the educational system by using ICT's in their classroom.

For a closer look, visit : 

http://ow.ly/UQu1w

Certificate Cohort 1

CERTIFICATE FIRST YEAR

On the 28th of October, I received my certificate for ICT in Education (year 1).

It motivates me to continue. I also hope to finish the second year successfully.

Module 2 Project "Encouraging English Elementary School

Encouraging English Elementary School

Our goal was to develop methods, systems, tools, services, products etc. in order to encourage learning, in this case English, in a fun, educational, entertaining and easy way. We came up with a prototype which is a method where, by using karaoke, the pupils (from the elementary school) learned new words and made sentences with these words. Afterwards we practice conversations.  

Looking at the reactions of the target audience, we could conclude that the project was a success.

A group's picture.

A summary of our project

Module 5: The Rube Goldberg Project

Rube Goldberg Machine Project

Blowing out a candle

1^st step:

-        The construction of a railway with the platform on cups with stones in it which collides with a book.

2^nd step:

-        The book collides with a shoe box in this way causing a domino effect, the shoe box clashes with seesaw made out of foam.

3^rd step:

-        The shoebox falls on the seasaw which causes it to go at high speed against a car.

4^th step:

-        The car, which is placed on a plastic tube, designed to serve as a special racetrack, glides on the track, collides with a heft at the end of the racetrack. The heft itself is attached to a block.  

5^th step:

-        The collision of the car with the heft attached to a block, the result is that the heft goes up and the counterbalance where the balloon is attached to is lowered.

6^th step:

-        The balloon attached to the block is now precisely located above the lit candle, and because of the heat of the candle, the balloon bursts and because of the air which it releases, the candle goes out.

Our video:

Module 6: One minute video

My Teaching Philosophy

I teach because I think that teaching contributes to equal opportunities for students. I believe that by teaching I make a difference. At the school where I teach there are students who come from very poor families. Some don’t own a personal computer, laptop etc. because they cannot afford it. 

By teaching them ICT they can keep up with the demands of modern society, where ICT plays such an important role.

I try to make the students work as a team as much as possible. It builds new friendships and I've noticed that teamwork strengthens the feeling of solidarity among them. 

As a teacher my role is to assist the students in their own development. I want to be an inspiring teacher. A teacher that inspires students to go the extra mile.  

I have a group of students who study tourism. When they have to write reports for certain subjects like sustainable tourism, planning and organization of events etc, I give them the chance and the help to write the reports by using ICT. This way I do not only teach ICT but try to integrate ICT in other subjects as well.

I like the quotes of Conficius a lot. And one of my favourite is " Tell me, and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.

I see this as a guideline in my teaching. Trying to involve my students as much possible. 

Last week I organized a competition in the Tourism class. The assignment was " to create a flyer for a carnival event which will be held at school in two weeks' time. The students were divided into groups. The winner would get a box of cake. 

The response was amazing. Each group created very original and beautiful flyers. 

Maybe the cake had something to do with it, but I don't think that that was the determining factor that the students were so ehthusiastic. I noticed how busy they were talking to eachother, putting their ideas on paper and using ICT for the final work.

Why I'm doing this course

I teach because I love working with young people. It's very rewarding to see them growing and acquiring knowledge in front of you. The development they make throughout the the school year, at the beginning and at the end. It's also great to see what a lot of them have accomplished by becoming lawyers, accountants etc and it's a good feeling to think that I contributed to that.  I teach because I would like to pass on my knowledge to the next generation and this way contribute to my country's progress, economically and socially.
This is why I'm  doing this course, because I believe that this course will give me new insights on teaching ICT and enable me to become a better teacher, which will result in better students and better colleagues, because my intention is to pass everything on what I have learnt to my colleagues and students.

Some students of Imeo-3