PHILIPSBURG:---- Last week thirty-three Asha Stevens Christian School (ASCS) teachers received a certificate from Foresee Foundation. Management and staff participated in four 2-hour workshops while being trained in the use of Promethean Digital Boards and the integrated use of technology in teaching content. The training was facilitated by consultant, Marcus Nicolaas, certified Promethean Board Trainer.
Over the last years traditional chalk boards are being replaced by digital interactive boards, which allow students and teachers to share a wealth of information in an interactive and engaging way. Foresee Foundation, the initiative taker of the DigiKidz project, views the increased use of Technology in classrooms as a very important step towards offering innovative 21st century education. In addition to providing schools with equipment, the leading foundation in promoting educational technology on St. Maarten, strongly emphasizes extensive training of staff in its DigiKidz Schools in order to be prepared to use hardware and select appropriate software related to the teaching of different subject areas. The strength of professional development like the one in Promethean is that teachers not only use e.g. websites but are now able to create own technology based lessons which are integrated in the FBE curriculum.
Teachers were very proud to receive their certificates and expressed their gratitude in being part of this training. Some explained the effect the boards and training have in their classrooms as students enjoy the new technology and get far more engaged in the learning process. The consultant congratulated the teachers on their achievements and showed his admiration for quality of presentations that were delivered by the teachers. Jose Sommers, President Foresee Foundation, encouraged the teachers to not only share their products locally with other teachers, but also worldwide within the numerous educational networks.
The training of Hillside School teachers is part of the DigiKidz plan of Foresee Foundation, who is planning soon to start with the third DigiKidz School.
