Gulf Times EDUCATION Supplement Feb 2019

February 2019

Doha College

Excellence for all, excellence from all

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oha College is one of the leading British curriculum schools in Qatar, offering an outstanding education to students between the ages of 3 and 18.

Established in 1980, the College was opened to meet the demand for a British-style education. Today, it boasts over 1,900 students from 75 nationalities – a truly international community operating on a not-for-profit basis.

At the helm of the school is Principal Dr Steffen Sommer, an experienced educationalist and cognitive specialist with over 25 years’ experience across the UK and Europe. His vision has driven Doha College to achieve its best ever examination results in 2018, and he firmly believes it provides the perfect environment for an outstanding education, affirming its motto of ‘Excellence for All, Excellence from All’.

Many additional exciting features including an adventurous covered play area for EYFS and dedicated outdoor quads for both Primary and Secondary, will allow Doha College to continue its delivery of an outstanding and well-rounded education to its students and elevate the learning experience further.

Doha College understands the importance of creating a sustainable environment now and in the future for its host nation. This was recently recognised at the Qatar Sustainability Awards 2018 when the College was honoured with the School Sustainability Initiative Award. The new campus is no different, featuring many technological advancements to ensure it continues with its drive for sustainability such as: n Rainwater harvesting relay to irrigate landscapes n Water fixtures censored to reduce wastage Insulation of all external walls to reduce the cooling load of the building lower than Kahramaa regulations n Skylights in internal spaces to harvest daylight and reduce the need for power n Astroturf used instead of real grass to reduce water consumption n Finishing to walls, ceilings and floors made of recycled materials n Dedicated consultant and supervisor to ensure the build delivers its sustainable objective n Campus design certified by GORD (Gulf Organisation for Research and Development) n 3* certification by GSAS (Global Sustainability Assessment System)

achieve ‘best in the world’, two gain ‘best in the Middle East’ and 16 receive ‘best in Qatar’ status from awarding bodies Pearson and Cambridge, for (I)GCSE, AS Level and A Level.

Its continued success with consistently impressive results, as well as additional learning opportunities and leadership roles, champions Doha College as being one of the very best British curriculum schools in Qatar.

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Future vision Alongside its Primary school site in West Bay, construction of a new, state-of-the-art campus in Al Wajba began in July 2018 and is already proudly rising out of the ground. Opening its doors in September 2020; the year of the 40th anniversary of the College, this remarkable future vision hosts many impressive features on its expansive 91,503m2 plot. The spacious capacity will house a 6 form Primary (total of 10 including its West Bay Campus) and a 10 form Secondary, as well as the latest technologies and facilities including: n A Design and Technology Hub kitted out with a Microsoft HaloLens n Two swimming pools; one of which is a 25m, eight-lane competition pool designed to Sport England standard and fitted with touchpads n Five indoor and outdoor multi-use sports courts

Two football pitches graded to FIFA standard specification n 700 capacity auditorium n

Dining facilities for both Primary and Secondary

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Two libraries

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Record results 2018 examinations saw a second consecutive record year for Doha College with a staggering five students

What makes Doha College outstanding The first school in Qatar to be accredited under the new Council of British International Schools (COBIS) Patron’s Accreditation and Compliance scheme.

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First in the world to be accredited as a High Performance Learning school with the prestigious world class award.

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Was awarded membership of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS); a renowned organisation of the world’s leading preparatory schools, in January

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Recognition at the Qatar Sustainability Awards 2018 when the College was honoured with the School Sustainability Initiative Award.

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EDUCATION 3

Future of technology in education

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echnology is moving at a rapid pace, changing our lives in many different ways. Education, however, has only seen modest changes over recent years.

Learn about an event in history by standing in the middle of it

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Watch and participate in medical procedures

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Conduct scientific experiments without any risk

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Looking forward, how will technology change the way we learn?

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Here are our predictions for what’s to come in the next decade.

Learning on demand

Learn about foreign cultures by experiencing them

Traditional start dates will be replaced with rolling registration, allowing people to start programs whenever it suits them.

Students will also finish courses based on knowledge acquisition, rather than at a pre-defined date.

To give an example, this would mean that mature age students with industry knowledge would not be forced to sit through weeks of introductory classes if they decided to seek additional qualifications.

Intelligent learning apps & artificial intelligence Studies suggest a one-size-fits-all approach to learning does not produce the best outcomes. The current education model is rigid, with students forced to learn at the same pace and in the same way.

Intelligent learning apps will use artificial intelligence to analyze a particular student and tailor the delivery of information and assessments based on their characteristics. For example, if assessments indicate a student doesn’t understand content areas, they will be given additional content to solidify their knowledge, rather than moving on to more difficult concepts that build on the knowledge that they are yet to fully understand.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence can help improve content delivery by interacting based on assessment trends. For example, if a large percentage of students are failing to grasp a topic, the system can self-correct or alert the creator that the content is challenging to understand.

Education Director – Marketing Supplement Editor Pradeep

For example, future assessments could involve a student sitting at their computer at home with the following measured in place to avoid cheating:

Sr. Business Development Mngr.

Sanjai Noah

Layout

A.K. Vinay Kumar

Facial recognition to ensure the student is taking the assessment (not someone else)

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Graphics

Renju Varghese

Virtual reality

Printed by

Virtual reality is becoming prevalent in some industries, but the impact of VR on education has been minimal up to this point.

Gulf Times/Arrayah Building, C Ring Road, P.O. Box 533, Doha Qatar Tel: (+974) 44466620 Fax: (+974) 44310992 email: advr@gulf-times.com

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Retina movements being assessed to determine if the student is taking visual cues from off the screen

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Circulation In-charge

Advertising Office

For example, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been widely tipped to disrupt education, but one of the primary challenges they face is the absence of reliable and fair assessment.

As technologies (such as facial recognition) improve, however, accurate digital assessment of individuals will become feasible.

James John

Raya Commercial Printing Press

The current limitations on digital assessments are limiting some of the evolving areas of education.

With some courses being taken by tens of thousands of students, the only realistic way to assess student performance is either peer-to-peer or automated. Historical, neither method has been successful. As a result, completing a MOOC does not carry nearly the same weight as a course through a certified education provider.

Supplements Team

Sherif Samy

Digital assessment

As VR technology improves, the possible applications are endless. Here are a few examples: Discuss concepts in a ‘classroom’ environment with people all over the world, all without leaving your house

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Mouth movements being recorded to determine if the student is discussing the question with someone else

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Camera determining if anybody else is within the room

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Questions asked and answered verbally with voice recognition software ensuring only one person is answering questions

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Doha British School

21 years of excellence in education

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oha British School is celebrating 21 years of excellence in education. The school believes that every child, who is accepted into this school, deserves the very best that we can provide. He or she should leave here having achieved excellent academic standards and having experienced significant character development opportunities.

Mr. Terry McGuire Principal

Doha British School is proud of its standing as a top class British curriculum international school. The staff are almost all UK qualified and trained. There are a number of Arabic teachers and Spanish teachers who teach languages. They all possess teaching qualifications. All of the teachers are provided with professional development opportunities that enhance and improve their skills.

The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools, British Schools of the Middle East, Qatar National Schools Accreditation and British Schools Overseas. The latter accreditation judged us to be an ‘Outstanding’ school. A fitting tribute indeed.

The school realizes failure is not an option and knows that all of its students have the potential to excel in their own right. The school’s commitment is to ensure that is exactly what they do.

If you would like your child to become a member of the DBS family, contact the admissions team at Ain Khaled campus (Pre-school to Year 13) or Al Wakra campus

(Pre-school to Year 11). Tours are conducted weekly by school’s senior team. The locations are: n Kate Cliffe, Head of Primary at DBS Ain Khaled, conducts tours every Thursday at 9am n Stuart Shelton, Head of Secondary at DBS Ain Khaled, conducts tours every Thursday at 10am n Beverley Stevens, Vice Principal at DBS Al Wakra, conducts tours every Thursday at 9am

DBS is an ambitious school and always strives to improve no matter what plaudits it gets from the inspectorates. The school has invested heavily in new resources and facilities. Its new all-weather football pitch and basketball courts are evidence of determination to keep providing the best for its fantastic students and wonderfully supportive parents.

Doha British School has come a long way in its 21 years. Its community of learners, teachers and parents blend well to ensure the very best possible outcomes for every child who comes through its doors. The school knows how critical a good, rounded, education is. It knows how it can improve the life chances of young people.

EDUCATION 5

How to help students succeed

Melissa Kelly

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tudent success should be a teacher’s number one priority. For some students, success will be getting a good grade. For others, it might mean increased involvement in class. You can help all of your students attain their full potential, regardless of the way they measure success. Following are strategies that you can employ to help students succeed.

allow you to focus on teaching rather than handling disruptive issues.

Classroom management should also become a part of the daily routine. If rules have been made clear from day one, rules and consequences are posted throughout the classroom, and you consistently tackle any and all problems as they arise, students will fall in line and your classroom will run like a well-oiled machine.

Practice the ‘Daily Fives’ Do the same opening activity during the first five minutes of class and the same closing activity the last five minutes so that students know, “OK, it’s time to start class, or, “It’s time to get ready to leave.” It could be something as simple as having students get out their classroom materials and sit at their desks ready to begin at the start of class and putting away their materials, sitting down and waiting for the bell to ring at the end of class.

If you are consistent with your daily fives, it will become second nature to your students. Establishing routines like this will also help when you need to get a substitute. Students don’t like to deviate from the established norms and will become advocates in your classroom to make sure things run smoothly.

Grow continually Set high Expectations Cultivate an academic environment in your classroom by setting high, but not impossible, expectations for your students. Push students to achieve higher standards and they will eventually get there—and along the way, offer lots of praise. Some may take more time than others, but all students want to be told, “You’re smart and you’re doing a good job.”

Give high school students college material to read and tell them, “This story/book/math concept is taught in first-year colleges around the country.” Once the students tackle and master the material, tell them, “Good job students — I knew you could do it.”

Establish a routine One of the key ways to help young children behave at home is to create an effective and consistent schedule for them to follow. Without this type of structure, young children often end up misbehaving.

Secondary school students are no different. While classroom procedures often take a bit of time and effort to implement at the beginning of the school year, once established, they create a structure that will

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New ideas and research that can enhance your day-to-day teaching become available yearly. Keeping up with the latest information through online forums, workshops and professional journals can make you a better teacher. This will lead to increased student interest and greater success. In addition, teaching the same lessons each school year can become monotonous over time. This can result in uninspired teaching. Students will definitely pick up on this and

become bored and distracted. Including new ideas and teaching methods can make a huge difference.

Vary instruction When you vary teaching methods, you provide students with a greater opportunity to learn. Every student has different strengths and weaknesses.

Instead of just focusing on one method that only appeals to a single learning style, varying your teaching techniques allow you to cater your lessons to different learning styles. Students will be more successful if they are not bored.

For example, instead of lecturing for an entire 90-minutes class, do 30 minutes of lecture, 30 minutes of work—involving as much music, videos and kinesthetic movement as possible—and then 30 minutes of discussion. Students like it when you change things up and they’re not doing the exact same thing every class period.

Care about every student This might seem obvious, but every year, do a gut check concerning the students in your class. Are there any students you have written off? Are there students who are difficult to reach or who just don’t seem to care? Students can sense your feelings about them, so be very careful with your own beliefs.

Regardless of your personal feelings, it is important that you work with each of your students to ensure their success. Be excited with them. Act like you want to be at work and you’re happy to be there and see them. Find out what their hobbies are, take an interest in their personal lives and try to incorporate some of that into your lessons.

Be transparent & helpful How to succeed in your class should be easy for all students to understand. Provide students with a syllabus at the beginning of the year that explains your grading policies. If you assign a complicated or subjective assignment such as an essay or a research paper, give students a copy of your rubric beforehand.

If students participate in science labs, ensure that they understand exactly how you will be grading their participation and their work.

For example, if you just toss a C- on an essay but you haven’t edited it or explained why the student got that grade, your student has no buy-in and will likely put little effort into the next assignment. Make students check their grades frequently, or provide them with printouts so they’re constantly aware of where they stand in your class. If they’ve fallen behind, meet with them and create a plan to usher them toward success.

EDUCATION 7

Encouraging students to read By: Janelle Cox

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s teachers, we are always looking for ways to learn how to motivate students to love reading. We all know the rewards of reading are immense; aside from enhancing our communication skills, it also helps reduce stress. Nevertheless, many children still cringe at the thought of reading. How can we change that?

Let students see you read If you are going to encourage your students to read, then you better make sure you’re leading by example. Instead of grading papers when students are silent reading, read a book. Talk about the book that you are reading with them, and how you can’t wait to read before you go to bed.

Allow them to read the whole book before discussing it Give students the opportunity to read the book before you pull it apart and talk about literary devices. Sometimes when all you do is talk about the plot, setting, or genre, you are taking all the fun and pleasure out of the story. Give students the chance to read it once through, then you can go chapter by chapter and dissect.

Invite a local author to class A great way to promote a love of a reading is to invite an author to your classroom to discuss their book. This may be just the thing to inspire your students to read or even be an author themselves someday.

Teach students reading strategies Many students don’t like to read because it’s hard for them. Teach children reading strategies (i.e. repeated reading) to help them feel confident and read fluently.

Set up a book club Book clubs and reading groups are a great way for students to socialize and share their thoughts. This interaction makes reading so much more enjoyable, and it enhances their comprehension skills.

Let them choose their own books Studies have shown that when students choose their own books it will boost their reading ability. Make sure you have an abundance of different genres and themes in your classroom library from which students may choose.

Introduce students to a book series Whether students are into adventures or fantasy novels, there is a book series for everyone. All you have to do is find out what your students love and get them to read

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the first selection. Once they get a taste of the set, they will definitely want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Allow them to dislike books Think of it like Facebook—students can give a “thumbs up” if they like it, or a “thumbs down” if they don’t. This will also help you choose future class novels as well.

Helps them see the importance of reading Sometimes just knowing the facts can encourage someone to see their world differently. For example, knowing that maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help us live a longer life can motivate us to make better life choices. Laying out the benefits of reading may be the best way to enhance appreciation and encourage them to pick up a book on their own.

EDUCATION 9

Boost your self-esteem…

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ou are much more than the situations in your life and the judgments of those around you. A big part of what defines you is how you react, adapt and respond to such circumstances. There are things you can do, here and now, to change how you feel about yourself. The first step is to realize that this can only come from within you. Raising your self-esteem will require a combination of changing the way you think and changing what you do.

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Come to terms with uninvolved/negligent authority figures The first thing here is to acknowledge that adults often have issues of their own. If your parents or guardians aren’t able to properly care for you or give you support and attention – be it from mental health or some other cause – it is absolutely, positively, 100% not your fault. It’s also not an accurate reflection of your worth. If you’re in the unfortunate circumstance of not being cared for properly by a parent or guardian, it’s important for you to consider that the way you’re being treated is not of your doing and is, in fact, undeserved.

Pick positive peers You’re in control of who you give your time and energy to.

It’s easy to pick friends based on who’s most popular; while this crowd may boost your social status, it can also clobber your selfesteem when your “friends” put you down or encourage you to do things you’re not comfortable with or proud of. You need friends you can be yourself with, who value the person you really are.

Surrounding yourself with supportive friends who care about you can help you maintain a healthy level of self-esteem.

Get help for trauma Counseling for trauma is very important. If you’re not comfortable talking with parents or guardians about trauma, consider asking them if you can see a therapist or counselor for reasons you’d rather reserve for private sessions. If someone in your home is hurting you or has hurt you, consider talking with a school guidance counselor or other trusted adult about it.

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Start thinking about your body differently It’s not easy to stop seeing our bodies as objects for pleasing others or meeting some pre-established standard. But we can change the way we think about them. Your body is the house of your heart and mind; it’s the vehicle through which you experience, navigate and have an impact on the world.

Both men and women with body image issues run the risk of relying on their bodies to attest to their worth, rather than using them as instruments with which to pursue worthwhile goals in the world. By shifting your thoughts about your body, you gain a very different sense for how it should be and how you can attain that goal. Rather than destructive practices, you adopt healthy eating and exercise habits to improve your physical well-being.

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Get involved in something bigger than yourself One of the best ways to find meaning in your life is to get involved in something bigger than yourself, to have an effect on the world around you. Start by acknowledging the fact that, out of over seven billion people on the planet, not one is like you. Sure, you may have lots in common with many people, but none of them has your exact perspective, experience, interests, desires and goals. Use this to boost your sense of self-worth, and think about how to apply your unique assets in the world around you.

Set realistic goals Realistic goals set you up for a sense of accomplishment, for something to be proud of. Say you struggle academically.

Instead of expecting yourself to get all A’s next term, try setting a more attainable goal, such as finding a tutor or mentor to help you with the subjects you struggle with most. Your goal may simply be to work with the tutor and try your best.

If you excel academically and want to get involved in extracurricular activities, try picking just one and don’t put pressure on yourself to be the “best.” Whether it’s student council, the school newspaper, the yearbook committee, a sport or theater, you’re part of a team. Don’t try to be better than others. Aim to work well with them.

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Forgive yourself When we’ve made several bad choices in the past, as described in the last section, we can begin to feel that we’re just “that kind” of person. We lock ourselves into that “role” or “character” and continue to play it unless we interrupt ourselves by remembering that we write our own scripts. What you’ve done in the past does not have to determine your course of action and decision-making from here on out. It’s important to forgive yourself – not to let yourself “off the hook,” but to accept that some of the choices you’ve made were not the best and resolve to do better in the future.

EDUCATION 11

Reasons why arts in education is important

By Lauren Martin

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here have the arts in education gone?

There’s no doubt that the arts are fun for kids.

Diving into those finger paints and making a beautiful picture to hang on the fridge is awesome.

Acting in a play is exhilarating. But the arts also help kids develop on many fundamental levels.

learn through text and numbers. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it.

Here are the top ten ways that the arts help kids learn and develop important characteristics they will need as adults:

Decision making

Creativity This may seem like a no-brainer, but the arts allow kids to express themselves better than math or science. As the Washington Post says: In an arts program, your child will be asked to recite a monologue in six different ways, create a painting that represents a memory, or

to developing a child’s fine motor skills. According to the National Institutes of Health, developmental milestones around age three should include drawing a circle and beginning to use safety scissors. Around age four, children may be able to draw a square and begin cutting straight lines with scissors.

Confidence While mastering a subject certainly builds a student’s confidence, there is something special about participating in the arts. Getting up on a stage and singing gives kids a chance to step outside their comfort zone. As they improve and see their own progress, their self-confidence will continue to grow.

Visual learning compose a new rhythm to enhance a piece of music. If children have practice thinking creatively, it will come naturally to them now and in their future career.

Improved academic performance The arts don’t just develop a child’s creativity — the skills they learn because of them spill over into academic achievement. A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate.

Motor skills This applies mostly to younger kids who do art or play an instrument. Simple things like holding a paintbrush and scribbling with a crayon are an important element

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Especially for young kids, drawing, painting, and sculpting in art class help develop visual-spatial skills.

Dr. Kerry Freedman, Head of Art and Design Education at Northern Illinois University says, Children need to know more about the world than just what they can

The arts strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills. How do I express this feeling through my dance? How should I play this character? Learning how to make choices and decisions will certainly carry over into their education and other parts of life—as this is certainly a valuable skill in adulthood.

Perseverance I know from personal experience that the arts can be challenging. When I was trying to learn and master the clarinet, there were many times when I became so frustrated that I wanted to quit. But I didn’t.

After practicing hard, I learned that hard work and perseverance pay off. This mindset will certainly matter as they grow—especially during their career where they will likely be asked to continually develop new skills and work through difficult projects.

Focus As you persevere through painting or singing or learning a part in a play, focus is imperative. And certainly focus is vital for studying and learning in class as well as doing a job later in life.

Collaboration Many of the arts such as band, choir, and theater require kids to work together. They must share responsibility and compromise to achieve their common goal. Kids learn that their contribution to the group is integral to its success—even if they don’t have the solo or lead role.

Accountability Just like collaboration, kids in the arts learn that they are accountable for their contributions to the group.

If they drop the ball or mess up, they realize that it’s important to take responsibility for what they did.

Mistakes are a part of life, and learning to accept them, fix them, and move on will serve kids well as they grow older.

PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – QATAR The torchbearer of expat education

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stablished in 1999 and started operation in 2000, the Philippine International School-Qatar opened its doors to the Filipino community in Qatar to provide children quality education through its holistic approach to learning. From this vision, PISQ expanded to a new horizon in providing education by embodying its core values:

PISQ prides itself with a safe learning environment where children can learn while having fun with their dedicated educators.

Various clubs and organizations that train the students in leadership, academics, arts, and media are also enjoyed by the students and parents alike.

Juan Carlo G. Landayan receives his IHBB Asian Championships medal and plaque.

Wisdom & Goodness PISQ is a home to almost 120 licensed professional educators and about 3000 dynamic and excellent students of different cultures and races gleefully learning in small class sizes (20-30).

It fully offers education programs in the following levels: Preschool, Primary, Intermediate, Junior High School, and Senior High School operating both the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand as well as the Humanities and Social Sciences Strand (HUMSS).

Another evidence to the school’s holistic approach is its development of sports and recreational activities for learners, parents, teachers, and staff to promote fairness and engage the community in healthy life-style through sports. The school provides avenues as well for extensive training of its athletes through the formulation of varsity teams like basketball and volleyball.

A testimony of true PISQian intellect can be seen through its consistent wins in various academic and skills competitions both here in Qatar and abroad. In 2018, PISQians competed in the International History Quiz Bee and Bowl - Qatar and was awarded as a champion. They qualified in the IHBB Asian championships in Khao Lak, Thailand and competed in the IHBB Global in Berlin.

PISQ has won two years in a row in the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers - Qatar Chapter Math Whiz competition for SHS. This is a great testimony of how well the students are trained when it comes to logical thinking and reasoning.

Various celebrations are also held inside the school which give students platforms to express their abilities and uniqueness.

School Principal Mr. Jason A. Iyas poses with the PISQ delegates for the GUQ Model United Nations (MUN).

Sophia Munoz receives an award as Judge.

The school also bagged the Overall Champion award in the 16th Order of the Knights Of Rizal-Middle East and African Regions Academic, Skills, and Talent Competition held in Bahrain, where all the delegates brought home an award for contests varying from painting, character emulation, and writing just to name a few.

To make sure that the students are connected and well-versed to other nations, the school also send delegates for the Model United Nations. This is one of the student training programs that keeps the students well-informed about issues arising globally and coming up together in order to understand each other’s goals.

The PISQ delegates show their medals and the plaque for winning in the international Quiz Bee and Bowl (IHBB).

The school also places a paramount on the moral development of the child. It holds various team-building activities and seminars carefully planned and crafted by its very own guidance and counseling team.

PISQians pride themselves through winning academic challenges.

PISQians are well adept with their talents and skills.

On top of it all, teachers in PISQ are consistently trained to make them effective educators and to ca-ter the ever changing needs and abilities of the 21st century learners.

I • Spacious campus with multiple gates • Purposely-built school buildings

• Small class size (20-30 students per class)

• Strategic location (near the bus stop, five-minute drive to Safari Hyper market, 15-minutes to The Mall)

• Other facilities and services

• Fully-functional science rooms • Computer labs

• Libraries

• First aid units with registered Nurses • Multi-purpose halls • Bus service

• Computer subjects for students from pre-school to high school

• Highly qualified and competent licensed Filipino teachers

• High passing rate for college entrance examinations • Wide covered areas for outdoor activities

For particulars, please contact the following: Admin: +974 3345 4998, Principal: +974 70269194, Tel/Fax No: 4451 3364, Tel No: 4451 3443, Email: pisqregistrar@yahoo.com

EDUCATION 13

Empathy-building habits of teachers Create meaningful relationships with students

Inspire students to become their best selves

For children to develop the capacity to feel empathy for others, they must feel seen, felt, and understood regardless of how they learn.

Teachers who know, appreciate, and respect students beyond academics help children feel cared for and increase their ability to care for others.

Most students who developed high levels of empathy named teachers as their primary role models. They learned to become their best selves from teachers who exemplified the following traits: Passion and ability to inspire

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Clear and articulated set of values

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Commitment to community

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Selflessness

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Ability to overcome obstacles in life

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When teachers cultivate curiosity about how individuals and groups of people see the world differently, they expand children’s intellectual, interpersonal, and emotional boundaries. They help students see and understand differing perspectives. When challenged to explore prejudices, find commonalities, and glean meaning from what they imagine life would be like walking in another person’s shoes, students build a greater capacity for empathy.

Link curriculum to real-world service activities

Nurture children’s self-efficacy through mentoring Young people who transform empathy into community action attribute mentoring by teachers among the primary reasons that they developed a belief in self. Without this sense of self-efficacy, students claim they would not have come to believe that they could help others or change the world. According to students, teachers fostered self-efficacy by: Supporting and encouraging

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Listening

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Setting high expectations

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Showing interest in students as individuals

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Fostering decision-making skills

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Providing another perspective during problem solving

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Teach values associated with good citizenship Teachers who emphasize caring, cooperation, compassion, kindness, service, teamwork, and the importance of getting along with classmates are powerful empathy builders. From elementary through high school, children should evolve through three developmental stages as they take on roles in society: Being responsible citizens

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Improving their communities

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Contributing to solve societal problems

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Teachers who weave meaningful service learning into their classrooms help students turn empathy into action by building skills in critical thinking, planning, organizing, and problem solving. Youth gain the most from service projects that push them out of their emotional comfort zones and allow them to see the world differently.

Call to action As educators, we must offer core principles that inspire teachers, parents, and communities to move beyond modern notions of success - to instill abilities that matter most for healthy youth development. We must bring attention to the relationships and experiences that shape the caring, curious, sociable, resilient, self-aware, honest, resourceful, and innovative adults that all youth are capable of becoming. When children chart their own paths through life with empathy at “true north,” they not only discover personal success, but also contribute to the betterment of society.

Without a sense of self-efficacy, students would not believe that they could help others or change the world

EDUCATION 15

Education outside the classroom T

he purpose of school is to prepare students for life beyond school. Today’s society has a higher demand for self-awareness and more specialised skills. One of the easiest ways to help advance students is by incorporating learning experiences outside the classroom. Learning outside the classroom can help enrich a student’s educational experience by showing them real-life applications of theories that they are learning at school.

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Places may refer to a location, activity or workshop, but regardless of where learning outside the classroom takes place, the purpose is the same - to give students a real-world learning experience that will set them up for success in life beyond school.

What is learning outside the classroom?

Learning outside the classroom experiences differ from those that arise through conventional teaching methods as students may be encouraged to engage a broader range of soft skills such as teamwork, leadership and compromise in their learning environment.

Learning outside the classroom is the use of places other than the school for teaching and learning. It is about getting children and young people out and about, providing them with challenging, exciting and different experiences to help them learn.

Conventional teaching focuses on repetition and memorisation to educate students and is beneficial for sharing new knowledge and teaching students who learn best by listening. However, conventional teaching doesn’t encourage students

to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and decisionmaking skills, which learning outside the classroom can. Not only can learning outside the classroom lead to a deeper understanding of challenging concepts, but it can also provide a context for learning in many areas.

Direct benefits Learning outside the classroom can help teachers create enthusiasm for learning, provide a real-world context and expose students to a range of STEM careers.

Students who experience learning outside the classroom benefit from increased self-esteem and become more engaged in their education. Evidence suggests learning outside the classroom can help raise achievement, improve classroom behaviour and improve the engagement of students, including those who are hard to engage in the classroom environment. An extensive report published

by Ofsted found learning outside the classroom contributed significantly to raising standards and improving pupils’ personal, social and emotional development.

In 2016, School Travel Forum conducted an independent research study to find out how school trips and learning outside the classroom impact the development of students.

They found 60% of teachers noticed an increase in students’ confidence, resilience and wellbeing after participating in a school trip and 61% of students achieved higher than their predicted grade.

The study also found that while most teachers wish they could offer more learning outside the classroom opportunities, 67% cited cost and organisation as their primary deterrents.

External benefits A degree of cost-benefit analysis takes place when deciding to organise a school trip or other learning outside the classroom activity. Costs involved in coordinating learning outside the classroom may include accommodation, transport, insurance, learning workshop fees, and time taken to fill out paperwork. Benefits commonly include what students are expected to get out of the trip, such as a better understanding of a concept or topic.

While cost-benefit analysis can be helpful in making decisions, teachers often forget to include the many external and intrinsic benefits that arise from learning outside the classroom. These might include reduced behavioural problems, a more accepting attitude towards cultural differences and diversity, or a piqued curiosity in a future career prospect. All of these are examples of benefits that have a positive impact but cannot be easily quantified. Because of this, organising a school trip or other learning outside the classroom experiences may appear costlier than it actually is.

EDUCATION 17

Qatar International Beauty Academy (QIBA) – Tajmeel

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Professional International Beauty Training in Qatar

atar International Beauty Academy (QIBA) Tajmeel was founded by Nama Qatar’s Social Development Center in 2009 to provide professional beauty training courses for women in Qatar. Based in Doha, it is the country’s first and only licensed beauty academy. The Academy offers a range of courses in beauty therapy, body treatments, hair styling, makeup artistry and nail-care.

Course offerings are designed to meet the needs of all: the beauty enthusiast, the aspiring beauty professional, and the seasoned beauty professional.

A variety of personal grooming and non-vocational short courses are offered along day and evening schedules.

In these courses, students learn basic hairstyling, skincare, or makeup application skills. They learn about tools and products that suit them best, too. The duration of personal grooming short courses and workshops ranges from one day to twelve weeks.

Tajmeel in-house and internationally accredited programs equip students with the skills and knowledge to become fully licensed professionals in their beauty fields of interest. Advanced continued education courses are also available for professionals who want to stay ahead in their career. Tajmeel offers courses accredited by international professional beauty associations such as: CIBTAC, CIDESCO, City & Guilds and ITEC. The length of professional courses offered ranges from several months to two full academic years.

Tajmeel students enjoy exposure to an array of different hair and makeup styles. The unique cultural mix amongst students and instructors enriches the learning experience and covers Eastern and Western aesthetics.

Hands-on learning is ensured in fully equipped treatment rooms. Class sessions include elaborate

18 EDUCATION

demonstrations and allow ample time for student practice and instructor feedback. During the weekly Salon Days, Tajmeel students perform a wide range of beauty and hair services for paying clients at the Academy premises. Work experience is also provided through the Academy’s strong alliances within the local community theatre, film industry, and fashion scene. By the time our students graduate, they would have an impressive portfolio!

Within its ten years of service, Tajmeel established itself as an authority in promoting industry best practices in Qatar. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Nama the Social Development Centre (SDC) and the Ministry of Labor (MOL) in Qatar on January 24,

2013 regarding the qualification and training of those who wish to work in the beauty and hair industry. Consequently, the MOL entrusts Tajmeel with approving beauty industry professional qualification programs for licensing within the State. Moreover, salon and spa staff are required to pass an International Health and Safety Course provided by the Academy. To further support the local beauty industry, Tajmeel launched the Qatar Hair and Beauty Network in 2014 as a professional group for providers of hair and beauty services, the network aims at promoting professionalism and safe practices. The network currently includes 44 members.

British Council launches Computer-delivered IELTS in Qatar – Same Test, More Choice IELTS is one of the world’s most popular high-stakes English language tests and is recognised by more than 10,000 universities, schools, employers and immigration bodies, including all universities in Australia and the UK and many of the leading institutions in the USA.

test takers take IELTS on paper or computer, they can be confident that they are taking the same trusted English language test.

Test takers who choose the option of computer-delivered IELTS can access support materials with which to prepare for taking IELTS on a computer.

With over three million tests taken in the past year, IELTS is the most widely used test of English for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. Established in 1989, and jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English, IELTS is now a household name in many countries around the world.

The success of IELTS rests on the high quality of the test, which measures the four key language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing. It is backed by dedicated research teams in the UK and Australia and administered by centres in more than 140 countries around the world.

Same IELTS. More choice.

For the first time in Qatar, you can now take IELTS on a computer with the British Council

More and more people around the world need English to study, work or move abroad. IELTS opens a door to these life changing opportunities for millions of aspiring people around the world.

IELTS is being continually enhanced to improve the experience for test takers and stakeholders.

The world’s most popular high-stakes English language test for work, study and migration can now be taken on computer.

The computer-delivered solution is secure and capable of delivering the world-leading security, quality assurance measures and operational benefits that IELTS is renowned for.

Computer-delivered IELTS will not replace paper-based IELTS but rather offer a choice in delivery and more availability.

Test takers can now choose the option and time to take IELTS that best works for them. They can also get their results faster, with results typically available between five to seven calendar days after the test has been completed.

The test content, timing and structure remain the same in both options and, importantly, the Speaking test remains face-to-face with a certified IELTS Examiner. Whether

Computer-delivered testing A new way to experience IELTS BRITISH COUNCIL IELTS

www.britishcouncil.qa

British Council is a proud co-owner of IELTS.

EDUCATION 19

Games to develop critical thinking O

By TeachThought Staff

ne of education’s primary goals is to groom the next generation of little humans to succeed in the “real world.”

Yes, there are mounds of curricula they must master in a wide breadth of subjects, but education does not begin and end with a textbook or test.

Other skills must be honed, too, not the least of which is how to get along with their peers and work well with others. This is not something that can be cultivated through rote memorization or with strategically placed posters.

Students must be engaged and cooperation must be practiced, and often. The following team-building games can promote cooperation and communication, help establish a positive classroom environment and — most importantly — provide a fun, much-needed reprieve from routine.

Save the egg This activity can get messy and may be suitable for older children who can follow safety guidelines when working with raw eggs. Teams must work together to find a way to “save” the egg (Humpty Dumpty for elementary school students?) — in this case an egg dropped from a specific height. That could involve finding the perfect soft landing, or creating a device that guides the egg safely to the ground. Let their creativity work here.

Zoom Zoom is a classic classroom cooperative game that

never seems to go out of style. Simply form students into a circle and give each a unique picture of an object, animal or whatever else suits your fancy. You begin a story that incorporates whatever happens to be on your assigned photo. The next student continues the story, incorporating their photo, and so on.

Minefield Arrange some sort of obstacle course and divide students into teams. Students take turns navigating the “mine field” while blindfolded, with only their teammates to guide them. You can also require students to only use certain words or clues to make it challenging or content-area specific.

The worst-case scenario Fabricate a scenario in which students would need to work together and solve problems to succeed, like being stranded on a deserted island or getting lost at sea. Ask them to work together to concoct a solution that ensures everyone arrives safely. You might ask them to come up with a list of 10 must-have items that would help them most, or a creative passage to safety.

Encourage them to vote — everyone must agree to the final solution.

A shrinking vessel

If you build it…

This team-building game is flexible. Simply divide students into teams and give them equal amounts of a certain material, like pipe cleaners, blocks, or even dried spaghetti and marshmallows.

Then, give them something to construct. The challenge can be variable (think: Which team can build the tallest, structurally-sound castle? Which team can build a castle the fastest?).

You can recycle this activity throughout the year by adapting the challenge or materials to specific content areas.

This game requires a good deal of strategy in addition to team work. Its rules are deceptively simple: The entire group must find a way to occupy a space that shrinks over time, until they are packed creatively like sardines. You can form the boundary with a rope, a tarp or blanket being folded over or small traffic cones.

Go for gold This game is similar to the “If you build it” game: Teams have a common objective, but instead of each one having the same materials, they have access to a whole cache of materials. For instance, the goal might be to create a contraption with pipes, rubber tubing and pieces of cardboard that can carry a marble from point A to point B in a certain number of steps, using only gravity.

It’s a mystery Many children (and grown-ups) enjoy a good mystery, so why not design one that must be solved cooperatively? Give each student a numbered clue.

In order to solve the mystery — say, the case of the missing mascot — children must work together to solve the clues in order. The “case” might require them to move from one area of the room to the next, uncovering more clues.

Four-way tug-of-war That playground classic is still a hit — not to mention inexpensive and simple to execute. For a unique variation, set up a multi-directional game by tying ropes in such a way that three or four teams tug at once. Some teams might choose to work together to eliminate the other groups before going head-to-head.

Keep it real This open-ended concept is simple and serves as an excellent segue into problem-based learning. Challenge students to identify and cooperatively solve a real problem in their schools or communities. You may set the parameters, including a time limit, materials and physical boundaries.

While education technology is a basic and crucial component of the 21st century classroom, educators must still ensure that students are engaging with each other in meaningful ways. Team-building exercises are a great way to do this, and because of this, they will never go out of style.

20 EDUCATION

AFG College with the University of Aberdeen

Transforming the world with greater knowledge and learning

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FG College with the University of Aberdeen is a unique partnership between the Al Faleh Group for Educational and Academic Services (AFG) and the University of Aberdeen which opened its doors to undergraduate students in September 2017.

The Partnership Vision The vision is to deliver an excellent UK higher education experience in Qatar with a strong emphasis on employability.

The institution will embrace social inclusion and allow access to university education beyond the academic elite.

Future Plans

The establishment of the institution is a significant achievement as AFG College with the University of Aberdeen is the first British university offering undergraduate degrees within the State of Qatar.

The university partnership presents the opportunity for those students living and working in Qatar to access a British degree from a world’s top 160 University.

Now in the second year of operation, AFG College with the University of Aberdeen will be developed in two phases. Phase one offers business degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with the introduction of the University of Aberdeen MBA and MSc in International Business Management in October 2018.

Phase two is the establishment of a large purpose built university campus offering engineering, education, medical science and social science degrees. This new campus will be opening its doors in September 2022 with a student capacity of over 4,000.

This exciting University project has been developed under the leadership of Dr Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Al Thani, who identified the need for increased capacity within higher education to support the Qatar 2030 Vision and to contribute to the development of a stronger knowledge-based economy for the country.

The vision includes the development of a regional research hub, drawing on the strengths of Aberdeen’s excellence in global academic research and working collaboratively with other Qatar based educational and institutional partners to contribute to the wider knowledge based economy within the region.

Since September 2018, AFG College with the University of Aberdeen has had over 300 undergraduate students and over 80 postgraduate students. With over 70% of students of Qatari nationality, both AFG and the University of Aberdeen are extremely proud to be part of the growing higher education community of Qatar.

EDUCATION 21

Understanding dyslexia & building confidence What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a type of learning disability. A child with a learning disability has trouble processing words or numbers. There are several kinds of learning disabilities — dyslexia is the term used when people have trouble learning to read, even though they’re smart enough and want to learn.

What causes dyslexia?

Dyslexia is not a disease. It’s a condition someone is born with, and it often runs in families. People with dyslexia are not stupid or lazy. Most have average or above-average intelligence, and they work very hard to overcome their learning problems.

Research has shown that dyslexia happens because of the way the brain processes information. Pictures of the brain show that when people with dyslexia read, they use different parts of the brain than people without dyslexia. These pictures also show that the brains of people with dyslexia don’t work efficiently during reading. So that’s why reading seems like such slow, hard work.

What happens in dyslexia?

Most kids begin learning to read by learning how speech sounds make up words (phonemic awareness) and then connecting those sounds to alphabet letters (phonics). Then they learn how to blend those sounds into words and, eventually, they can recognize words they’ve seen many times before.

Reading is a little like riding a bike: it requires doing many things at once with precise timing. With practice, typical readers gradually learn to read words automatically so they can focus their mental energy on comprehending and remembering what they’ve read.

Kids with dyslexia, though, have trouble with phonemic awareness and phonics.

So reading doesn’t become automatic and stays slow and labored. When a child struggles with these beginning steps in reading, comprehension is bound to suffer and frustration is likely to follow.

A common assumption about dyslexia is that letters or words appear reversed — that “was” appears like “saw.” This type of problem can be a part of dyslexia, but reversals are very common among kids up until first or second grade, not just kids with dyslexia. The major problem for kids with dyslexia is in phonemic awareness, phonics, and rapid word recognition.

How is it diagnosed?

Dyslexia is usually diagnosed during elementary school.

In some cases, it doesn’t become apparent until a child is older and is expected to read and comprehend longer and more complex material. Continuing problems with advanced reading, spelling, and learning a foreign language may be signs that a bright teenager has dyslexia.

Dyslexia can only be formally diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation by a reading specialist or psychologist, either at school or in the community. Pediatricians often know the signs of dyslexia and can guide families to proper help.

Delays in identifying kids with dyslexia can create a bigger reading problem and a drop in self-esteem. So it’s important to recognize symptoms early in elementary school and begin specialized reading instruction right away.

How is it managed?

Fortunately, with the proper assistance and help, most kids with dyslexia are able to learn to read and develop strategies that allow them to stay in the regular classroom.

They usually work with a specially trained teacher, tutor, or reading specialist to learn how to read, spell, and manage the condition. Your child’s teacher, psychologist, or pediatrician may recommend an academic therapist — also called an education therapist or an academic language therapist — who is trained to work with kids with dyslexia.

In the United States, federal laws entitle kids with reading and other language-based learning differences — collectively known as “specific learning disabilities” — to special help in public schools, such as specialized instruction, extra time for tests or homework, or help with taking notes.

What else should I know?

Kids with dyslexia may feel that they’re not as smart as their peers because it’s difficult to keep up. As they move through elementary school, problems can get worse as reading becomes more important to learning.

Kids who have difficulty often avoid reading because it’s hard or stressful. So they miss out on valuable reading practice and fall farther behind their classmates.

What are the signs?

In preschool and elementary school kids, some signs of dyslexia include difficulty with:

learning to talk

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pronouncing longer words

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rhyming

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learning the alphabet sequence, days of the week, colors, shapes, and numbers

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learning letter names and sounds

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learning to read and write his or her name

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learning to identify syllables (cow–boy in cowboy) and speech sounds (phonemes: b-a-t in bat) in words n sounding out simple words n

reading and spelling words with the correct letter sequence (“top” rather than “pot”) n handwriting and fine-motor coordination n

Older kids, teenagers, and adults might have these same signs of dyslexia and probably also will:

read and spell far below grade level

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avoid reading and writing

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work slowly on reading and writing assignments and tests

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struggle with learning a foreign language

n

22 EDUCATION

It’s important to support your child’s efforts by encouraging and assisting in reading at home. Also try to give your child opportunities to build confidence and have success in other areas, such as sports, hobbies, art, and drama. Artists, athletes, scientists, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, and statesmen all have been able to achieve great things despite trouble with reading.

If you think your child might have dyslexia, talk with your doctor, your child’s teacher, or a reading specialist. The sooner a reading problem is found, the sooner your child can get the proper help.

Ideas that shape your world start here

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t the invitation of Qatar Foundation, Carnegie Mellon joined Education City in 2004 to deliver select programs that will support and contribute to the long-term development of Qatar.

Carnegie Mellon University attracts a certain type of student: motivated, inventive, and driven to make a difference. A private, global university, Carnegie Mellon stands among the world’s most renowned educational institutions, setting its own course with programs that inspire creativity and collaboration.

Programs of study CMU-Q offers undergraduate programs in fields at the forefront of technology, innovation, scientific discovery and economic growth. All undergraduate majors require four years of full-time study, after which students earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

interdisciplinary education grounded in the disciplines of biology and computer science.

Computer Science provides students with the core skills of mathematical reasoning, algorithmic thinking, and programming. The program encourages creativity and provides the fundamental skills to develop new technologies.

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Biological Sciences has a core curriculum of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics.

In-depth exposure to multiple disciplines prepares students for careers at the forefront of emerging new fields.

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Business Administration provides the foundation for motivated students to become leaders in the business arena within Qatar, the region and the world. The program emphasizes an analytical approach to problemsolving, providing the tools to adapt to an evolving business environment.

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Computational Biology applies computer science techniques to complex biological and biomedical problems. The program provides an intensive,

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Information Systems is based on professional core courses that teach students to analyze, design, implement and test information systems using current and emerging practices. The flexible nature of the program encourages students to work outside of traditional disciplinary boundaries.

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The CMU-Q student body is exceptionally diverse, representing 38 nations. Students form a busy and active community, participating in clubs, organizing events, travelling for service and academics, and competing in local and international contests. The low student-toprofessor ratio means students receive unparalleled individual attention.

EDUCATION 23

Be smart about social media Most teens use some form of social media and have a profile on a social networking site.

Many visit these sites every day.

There are plenty of good things about social media — but also many risks and things kids and teens should avoid. They don’t always make good choices when they post something to a site, and this can lead to problems.

So it’s important to talk with your kids about how to use social media wisely.

24 EDUCATION

What’s good about social media Social media can help kids: Stay connected with friends and family

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Volunteer or get involved with a campaign, nonprofit, or charity

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Enhance their creativity by sharing ideas, music, and art

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Meet and interact with others who share similar interests

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Communicate with educators and fellow students

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What’s bad The flipside is that social media can be a hub for things like cyberbullying and questionable activities. Without meaning to, kids can share more online than they should.

Most teens: Post photos of themselves online or use their real names on their profiles

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Reveal their birthdates and interests

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Post their school name and the town where they live

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This can make them easy targets for online predators and others who might mean them harm.

In fact, many teens say they have: Been contacted online by someone they didn’t know in a way that made them feel scared or uncomfortable

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Received online advertising that was inappropriate for their age

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Lied about their age to get access to websites

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Concerns & consequences Besides problems like cyberbullying and online predators, kids also can face the possibility of a physical encounter with the wrong person. Many newer apps automatically reveal the poster’s location when they’re used. This can tell anyone exactly where to find the person using the app.

And photos, videos, and comments made online usually can’t be taken back once they’re posted.

Even when a teen thinks something has been deleted, it can be impossible to completely erase it from the Internet.

Posting an inappropriate photo can damage a reputation and cause problems years later — such as when a potential employer or college admissions officer does a background check. And sending a mean-spirited text, even as a joke, can be very hurtful to someone else and even taken as a threat.

Spending too much time on social media can be a downer too. Seeing how many “friends” others have and the pictures of them having fun can make kids feel bad about themselves or like they don’t measure up to their peers.

What can parents do?

It’s important to be aware of what your kids do online. But snooping can alienate them and damage the trust you’ve built together. The key is to stay involved in a way that makes your kids understand that you respect their privacy but want to make sure they’re safe.

Tell your kids that it’s important to: Be nice. Mean behavior is not OK. Make it clear that you expect your kids to treat others with respect, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages. And ask them to always tell you about any harassing or bullying messages that others post.

n

Think twice before hitting “enter.” Remind teens that what they post can be used against them.

For example, letting the world know that you’re off on vacation or posting your home address gives would-be robbers a chance to strike. Teens also should avoid posting specific locations of parties or events, as well as phone numbers.

n

Follow the “WWGS?” (What Would Grandma Say?) rule. Teach kids not to share anything on social media that they wouldn’t want their teachers, college admissions officers, future bosses — and yes, grandma — to see.

n

Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important. Go through them together to make sure your kids understand each one. Also, explain that passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft. They should never share them with anyone, even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend.

n

Don’t “friend” strangers. “If you don’t know them, don’t friend them.” This is a plain, simple — and safe — rule of thumb.

n

Make a contract Consider making a “social media agreement” with your kids — a real contract they can sign. In it, they agree to protect their own privacy, consider their reputation, and not give out personal information. They also promise not to use technology to hurt anyone else through bullying or gossip.

In turn, parents agree to respect teens’ privacy while making an effort to be part of the social media world. This means you can “friend” and observe them, but don’t post embarrassing comments or rants about messy rooms.

Parents also can help keep kids grounded in the real world by putting limits on media use. Keep computers in public areas in the house, avoid laptops and smartphones in bedrooms, and set some rules on the use of technology (such as no devices at the dinner table).

And don’t forget: Setting a good example through your own virtual behavior can go a long way toward helping your kids use social media safely.

EDUCATION 25

Making a career choice

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ost of our parents have counselled us since childhood that we can achieve everything we desire; become a soccer player, pilot, business tycoon, etc.

Which is why we are often led by the belief: “the sky is the limit”. However, with a variety of professional paths available today, choosing the right track has become an early-career agony for the millennials.

Research also reveals that availability of too many choices is unlikely to interest people. When overwhelmed with options, we often choose none. So, how do we make a choice when we have so many potential paths ahead of us?

Distinguish your talents Transforming your passion into a career could be highly rewarding. Explore your natural talents and give them a professional bent. For instance, playing an instrument or trying different colours on a canvas can lead to great careers as a musician or an artist.

Such an important decision demands you to devote a considerate amount of time and evaluate your thought process. We need to have sufficient information and do a self-analysis in order to have a satisfying and enjoyable career. Let us take a look at some tips that could help you choose a career you love.

Assess your working style Evaluate the way you work. Are you a self-starter capable of kick-starting new initiatives or someone who needs a well-structured work environment to do your best? Such analysis would help you realise if you are a best fit for a junior executive role or an individual contributor.

26 EDUCATION

Define financial objectives If you are ambitious enough to have your own holiday home in every corner of the country and show off your fleet of cars, then a junior clerk position would not fulfil your goals. Make sure that the career you choose allows you to meet your financial objectives.

Utilise self-assessment tools There are several online quizzes which could help us test our aptitude for a particular job. Analyse the online job descriptions and assess what further training and education you require to fit the role. You could even opt for

the eBooks and workbooks available online to test your knowledge.

Take help from a career coach If the self-assessment tools are not working for you, take assistance from a professional career coach. They could help you measure your aptitude in the relevant field and set you straight on the right career path. The counselling or advice that you are likely to receive might help you transition to the desired job or function.

Have patience Identifying the right career can be a time consuming process. Don’t expect to land in your dream job or position instantly. Take your time to explore the best options or maybe start with an entry level position in the relevant field. This is likely to give you a strong foothold in in your preferred industry and gradually you can climb the career ladder.

Source: Shawacademy

Georgetown University in Qatar

Developing Global Leaders

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ocated in Education City, GU-Q offers the internationally recognized Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree in four majors, including International Economics, International Politics, Culture and Politics, and International History.

Georgetown University in Qatar’s (GU-Q) unique learning environment capitalizes on expert faculty, world-class facilities, and a history of community service, providing the same curriculum and allowing students to obtain the same degree as students at Georgetown’s campus in Washington, D.C.

GU-Q is committed to providing an affordable, world-class education for every student and to meeting demonstrated financial need through a combination of financial aid options.

Executive, Professional, and Community Education

Undergraduates can also deepen their studies with a minor in Arabic, or pursue a certificate in one of three concentrations: Arab and Regional Studies, American Studies, or Media and Politics offered in collaboration with Northwestern University in Qatar.

Students are supported by renowned scholars and teaching faculty while they benefit from state-of-the art facilities such as immersive classrooms, and the region’s leading library for international affairs.

In addition, GU-Q provides a holistic learning experience, encouraging students to participate in local internships, to travel abroad for service learning programs, or to complement their studies with a semester abroad at Georgetown’s Washington, D.C. campus or other respected institutions.

By the time they graduate, GU-Q students will have gained proficiency in a secondary language, analytical thinking, crisis negotiation, and cross-cultural understanding, critical skills which have propelled graduates to find success in careers ranging from international affairs to sports management, energy, finance, healthcare, research and communications, both internationally and in Qatar. Others have gone on to pursue a graduate education at some of the world’s top institutions, including Columbia, Oxford, and Harvard.

GU-Q also offers a variety of continuing education opportunities, such as a Master’s degree in International Emergency and Disaster Management and custom programs to meet professional development needs through the School of Continuing Studies. GU-Q also offers a variety of community classes in Arabic and English on topics ranging from Arabic to understanding international politics, to sports policy, to becoming an entrepreneur. To learn more about GU-Q’s continuing education programs visit: https://epe. qatar.georgetown.edu/

EDUCATION 27

Ways to help elementary students with maths Shopping The grocery store is an excellent place to help elementary school children learn math skills. There is a plethora of learning in a supermarket from weighing produce, counting money, selecting products according to their weight and size, determining how much each item costs per ounce, and more. Educators or parents can simulate a store setting in school or in the home for children to enjoy while learning.

Structured

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ecause of learning differences, children absorb knowledge at different speeds and grasp concepts in their own time frames. Some children learn math with very little teaching and others need remedial help with it.

such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication are learned with good understanding through the use of manipulatives like blocks, marbles, abacus, discs, cards, cups or even beads.

Below are some methods educators, parents, and others can use to help elementary students with math.

Drawing

Manipulatives Being able to hold something in their hands helps many elementary students who are learning math.

Remedial math teachers often use this technique in order to help children learn their math skills. Math skills,

28 EDUCATION

Sometimes an effective way to learn math skills is through the use of math pictures that are drawn out by the child. One good exercise is asking the student to draw five circles on a sheet of paper. Then ask the student to cross out two or the circles or add two more. This visual exercise helps the students learn subtraction and addition.

Some children learn best by having a very structured pattern to follow for each problem. A remedial math teacher can show the child steps for solving each problem one at a time. Many children enjoy this structured pattern of learning, as it is broken down into easy pieces.

Math games It is no secret that children love to play games. Today, there are many math games for the computer and even more games online. Math skills, such as time telling, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more engage the student’s interest so that they are more likely to retain the knowledge that they have learned.

(Source: education.cu-portland.edu)

Committed to high quality education

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tenden University Qatar was established in 2000 under the chairmanship of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani. It delivers internationally accredited four-year Bachelor’s degrees in the fields of International Business and Management Studies, International Hospitality Management and Tourism Management. All programmes are recognized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar and the Ministry of Education in the Netherlands. The university also offers Master’s degrees in the fields of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management. NHL Stenden University has campuses in Doha (Qatar), in the Netherlands, in Bali (Indonesia), in Bangkok (Thailand) and in Port Alfred (South Africa).

Ranks top in global study Almost 2 years ago, Stenden Qatar University of Applied Sciences reached an important milestone in its development when The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE) granted full accreditation to two of its Bachelor’s Degree programmes – the Bachelor in Tourism Management and the Bachelor in International Hospitality Management.

THE-ICE is a global quality assurance agency and a worldwide network of leading quality tourism, hospitality, events and culinary arts institutions.

Starting from 2018 THE-ICE has prepared a benchmarking rating report based on the results from the 2018 student satisfaction survey which has been completed by students from all THE-ICE accredited institutions and a global group of other participating peer universities.

Based on the results of this benchmarking report, which were analysed by the UKbased agency i-graduate, Stenden University Qatar was rated #1 for language support, host culture, social activities, Internet access, and accommodation cost and quality. It was also the only university in THE ICE family which was rated as number 1 on five different items. The Benchmarking Rating Report will help SUAS-Q to support its continuous quality improvement and strategic planning and also will provide the opportunity of benchmarking itself against many other international institutions.

Dr. Ivan Ninov, Executive Dean of Stenden University Qatar says: “We are very pleased with the results of latest THE-ICE benchmarking report, in which Stenden Qatar has been compared to some of the best higher education institutions in the field of hospitality and tourism education, and other peer universities across the globe. Our successful performance in this global benchmarking study is a validation of our continuous efforts on supporting our students and enhancing their overall educational experience. The best and most effective measure of our quality as a university is the success of our graduates, and therefore we are fully focused on delivering a high-quality educational product and preparing graduates who can successfully deal with the challenges of today’s complex and dynamic business environment”.

Internationally Accredited Degrees Bachelor's Degrees in:

• International Business • International Hospitality Management • Tourism Management

Master's Degrees in:

• International Hospitality and Service Management • International Leisure, Tourism and Events Management

Tel: 44888126 - 44888116 www.stenden.edu.qa

Your future begins here

EDUCATION 29

Was it worth it?

Dr. Nancy Le Nezet

A

fter many months of work and intense collaboration, SISQ is getting closer to one of its main goals: launching the IB Diploma Programme. This feels like the end of a journey: we are still at sea but can very much see land in the distance and we are heading towards it rapidly!

For me, the IB authorisation process has been a very interesting journey indeed, one that I had never taken despite many years of close acquaintance with the IB. I was lucky to start my teacher training in an IB school, where I fell in love with the Diploma Programme. I was fortunate enough to work in some of the best IB schools in the world and to teach three different subjects there—Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge and Psychology. Early in my career, I also started working for the IB Organisation itself, and since then I have been an examiner, taken part in subject reviews, put an IB course online and written a textbook for the IB. I also lead workshops to train IB teachers and I am very active in the IB community, networking with colleagues around the world. However, until now, I never appreciated the rigour and intricacy of the process required to become an IB school: I was inside the IB family, never trying to join it as a newcomer.

SISQ students participating in Model United Nations conference in January 2019 in academic writing is often cited by IB graduates as the one that best prepared them for university. Finally, the IB Mission is an idealistic one and aims to educate students who are role-models, global citizens and who are prepared to make the world a better place. This mission is embodied by the CAS programme, which only allows IB students to receive their Diploma if they have taken part in a range of activities designed so that students better themselves and communities around them. Needless to say, developing such high-level skills across a range of subjects and activities is a challenge, and one of the qualities IB students tend to develop is solid work ethics. A growing body of research from independent bodies and universities now confirms what IB educators have known from direct experience: the IB Diploma Programme puts its graduates at a real advantage.

As we embark on the last few weeks of our IB authorisation journey, we cannot wait to accompany students as they start their own exciting, challenging and rewarding journey towards graduation.

SISQ is now opening G11 for September 2019 As we come towards the end of this journey, some might look at the amount of work, planning, writing and training that has taken place in the last two years, and they might wonder: was it all worth it?

It is during those times of doubt that we have been lucky to have real IB enthusiasts at the helm of this project.

For those of us who have worked in IB schools for a long time, the answer in an emphatic and unequivocal “yes, it was worth it!” The reason for this is simple: many educators firmly believe that the IB Diploma Programme is the best preparation students can get for university and their professional life.

One of the main advantages of the IB Diploma Programme is its breadth. Students have to pick six subjects across a broad range of disciplines, which allows them to become well-rounded and not to pick their main fields of interest too early, at an age when they often change their mind. Perhaps more importantly than the subjects themselves is the way they are approached: IB students learn some content, but a bigger emphasis is put on skills such as critical thinking, evaluation, analysis and communication. These skills are reinforced by the study of a seventh, compulsory subject called Theory of Knowledge, a rigorous course that allows students to reflect on the way they acquire knowledge in different disciplines.

As well as the six subjects and Theory of Knowledge, IB students have to write a 4,000 words paper called the Extended Essay on a topic of their choice. This exercise

30 EDUCATION

Admissions for September 2019 are now open at the Swiss International School.

Interviews and assessments are being conducted at the moment – only limited places available!

(Author profile: Dr. Nancy Le Nezet is the Director of Studies at the Swiss International School (Doha, Qatar). Nancy studied philosophy in France and in the UK, and taught languages in Japan, the US and Spain before starting her career as an IB educator. Nancy is passionate about international education and the IB programme: She taught various IB subjects for 12 years, conducts IB workshops, leads teams of examiners and was the author of the IB Philosophy textbook. As well as teaching, Nancy has held curricular and pastoral leadership roles in IB schools such as Godolphin & Latymer in London and International School Bangkok in Thailand.)

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