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IATP News for November 2006
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ARMENIA
Participants from the Gyumri
orphanage work in their group to
develop the layout and content of
the website on preventing human
trafficking in Armenia.
Residents Contribute to Human Trafficking Prevention by Publishing Online Resource in Gyumri, Armenia
From November 13 to 16, 35 high school and college students, orphaned children, and unemployed people completed specialized trainings on human trafficking and Web design at the IATP access site in Gyumri, Armenia. The purpose of these trainings, conducted by Hasmik Harutyunyan, president of the nongovernmental organization Union, and IATP Trainer Edik Mkoyan, was to raise participants’ awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and equip them with necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to a fight against this problem.
According to the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report of June 2006, Armenia is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation largely to the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Traffickers, many of them women, route victims directly into Dubai or through Moscow. Traffickers also route victims to Turkey through Georgia via bus. Profits derived from the trafficking of Armenian victims reportedly increased dramatically from the previous year.
The trainers divided participants into different groups and worked with them separately in two sessions. In the first sessions, the participants got an overview of the problem, the current situation with human trafficking in Armenia, and statistics obtained from the International Organization for Migration. The participants also watched a movie entitled, "Human Trafficking" by Film Director Chritian Duguay, which was produced in 2005 and depicts the lives of actual victims of human trafficking. Participants learned about possible problems that Armenians might encounter when looking for employment abroad, and ways that they can get assistance in a foreign country.
During the second sessions, the trainers involved participants in group work and case studies, helped them develop projects that they can implement in their communities, and taught them basic Web design skills. As a result, participants created a website in Armenian dedicated to human trafficking prevention in Armenia which contains information about the current situation with the problem in Armenia, ways to avoid human trafficking, stories of victims, and news articles about projects that are being implemented by various organizations across the country. The new Web resource brings the total number of websites hosted by IATP in Armenia to 590, representing about 7% of the Web content hosted in the country.
Peace Corps Volunteer Sarah
Snowbarger answers participants’
questions from the IATP access
site in Kapan, Armenia
Citizens Discuss Environmental Issues in Armenia with Peace Corps Volunteer Online
On November 19, 10 people, including representatives of nongovernmental organizations, students, teachers and ECA alumni, gathered online from the IATP access sites in Yeghegnadzor, Spitak, and Kapan to discuss environmental issues in Armenia with Sarah Snowbarger, Peace Corps volunteer in the field of environmental education.
Snowbarger delivered a presentation covering the main environmental problems that Armenia is currently facing, such as deforestation, waste management, and clean water. She talked about reforestation as a way to prevent the rapid climate change that is occurring presently and mentioned that waste management would not be a major concern if the process were more systemized and frequent. In fact, there is no proper recycling and trash pick-up system established in the country at the moment. She commented, “There is great need in raising citizens’ awareness in the field of environmental education and encouraging them to protect the environment.”
Sasun Asatryan, representative of the nongovernmental organization Shogher in Spitak, noted that there are local organizations with proposals for feasible projects in the area of environmental protection, but they lack funding. Snowbarger remarked, ''Funding can be found by collaborating with local government bodies or, if not possible, with an international organization such the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) that have funded similar projects previously'.” She advised participants to visit the funders’ websites to obtain more concrete information about similar projects and other activities they had funded. In conclusion, Snowbarger remarked that although Armenia has necessary laws regulating environmental protection, they are not being implemented properly. The event helped participants learn about major environmental protection issues in Armenia, increase awareness about efforts made to address existing problems, and enhance understanding of the significance of citizen activism and collaboration in addressing environmental issues.
TAJIKISTAN
Timur Norov, coordinator of Youth
Power (YPC), joins the online
discussion from IATP’s main office
in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Youth Across Eurasia Discuss AIDS Prevention Online
On November 30, over 55 young people from Tajikistan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine met online at IATP access sites to mark the World AIDS Day and discuss achievements and challenges in HIV/AIDS prevention among youth in their countries. According to the website of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, more than 270,000 people were newly infected with HIV in 2005. A total of 1.6 million people were living with HIV in the region by the end of the last year, over 62,000 of these people died from AIDS in 2005. In this region and in the vast majority of the countries of the CIS, the spread of the epidemic is mainly driven by intravenous drug use and unprotected sex among young people.
To begin the online discussion, Timur Norov, coordinator of Youth Power (YPC) in Dushanbe, a center established by the United States Agency for International Development through the Drug Demand Reduction Program that works with at-risk youth, delivered a presentation on the goals and activities of his organization, achievements and challenges in HIV/AIDS prevention among youth in Tajikistan. He commented, “We provide alternatives such as conducting informational sessions on HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, distributing informational materials, carrying out outreach events at places where at-risk youth gather, and convening various activity groups. By providing these alternatives we help reduce the rate of HIV infection among youth in society.” Norov added, “Unfortunately, I have noticed a negative attitude on the part of many people toward a cooperative struggle against the problem, so I think in this discussion we need to discuss ways to change people’s attitude towards the problem and make them understand that it’s time now to worry about the future of new generations without AIDS.”
Guest speakers from Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Kazakhstan shared detailed information about the status of the problem and the impact of activities carried out for HIV/AIDS prevention in their countries. Daniyar Suleimenov, creative director at one of Almaty’s nightclubs, remarked, “When the HIV/AIDS epidemic began 24 years ago, no one could imagine what impact it would have around the world and in our city, specifically. More than 22 million people have died and 40 million live with HIV infection. In Almaty we have 1,379 officially registered cases of HIV infection.” Suleimenov added, “Tomorrow we will conduct a press conference with media outlets and run a marathon of DJs. All money collected from entrance fees and visitor donations in special baskets will be spent on concerts for vulnerable children on the theme of HIV/AIDS prevention.”
During the online discussion, the participants asked more than 25 questions of the guest experts. The online discussion enabled youth from across Eurasia to learn more about the problem, discuss experience and accomplishments in HIV/AIDS prevention among youth, voice common concerns and problems, and discuss solutions.
UKRAINE
Yana Smakula presents her
website during the awards ceremony
at PAS
IATP Sponsors Web Contest for Ukrainian ECA Alumni
On November 29, winners of a Web Design Contest for ECA alumni gathered for an awards ceremony at the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the US Embassy in Ukraine. The contest, entitled “US – Ukraine: Building a Virtual Bridge through Cultural Exchange,” took place from October 10 to November 17 and included 22 websites by ECA alumni from 10 regions of the country, submitted for the competition in four different thematic categories.
Yulia Melnyk (FLEX 00) was a winner in the category “US Culture, Tradition, and Nation” with her website dedicated to American culture. Yana Smakula (FLEX 03) took first prize in the category “US Student Life” with her website dedicated to student life at her host school in Las Vegas. Andriy Martovoy (NIS CUP 02) took top honors in the category “Exchange Program and Host Institution” with his website entitled, Strengthening Teaching and Outreach Capabilities in Business and Management Education at Tavrida National University, Ukraine, Under a Market-Oriented Economy. Borys Moskovsky (CC 06), won first prize in the category “Online Resources about Ukraine” with his website dedicated to his homeland, the Vinnytsia region. Cultural Affairs Officer (CAO) Courtney Austrian presented participants with certificates recognizing their efforts, and IATP staff presented winners with prizes including a scanner, USB flash memory cards and Web cameras. By sponsoring this event, IATP encouraged ECA alumni to share their experience and knowledge through well-designed websites that present Ukraine and its culture to a wider Internet audience as well as educate Ukrainians about American culture.
Vadym Cherevyk explains IT use to
hearing impaired people at the IATP
access site in Kharkiv
Hearing Impaired People Learn IT Use in Kharkiv, Ukraine
From October 6 to 27, the IATP access site in Kharkiv, Ukraine, sponsored a Step-by-Step training series for 10 local hearing impaired people. The training was aimed at equipping local people with hearing disabilities with skills in information technology (IT) use for their professional and personal development.
The participants discovered the basics of computer use, learned about operating systems, mastered skills for managing files and folders, and explored productivity software. IATP Trainer Vadym Cherevyk explained how to create documents, edit texts, work with tables, and save information. Later, the students gained Internet communication skills, including sending messages, images, and scanned documents via e-mail, and learned how to search the Web for information of interest to them. Finally, they were instructed in the basics of Web development, such as Web design, HTML, website structure, and visual website editors, and how to post resources to server. The participants plan to use the acquired skills to develop the website of the Kharkiv branch of the Ukrainian Association of Hearing Impaired People, establishing contacts with associations of disabled people from other cities of Ukraine and abroad. Over 1000 disabled people have benefited from IATP services in Ukraine.
Andriy Popik demonstrates IT use
for coordinating students’ initiatives
Student Leaders Learn IT Use in Their Activities in Khmelnytsky, Ukraine
On November 8, the IATP access site in Khmelnytsky, Ukraine, was the venue for a seminar on information technology (IT) use in work of nonprofit organizations conducted by Andriy Popik, head of Podilsky Polk Kharakternoho Kozatsva, a nonprofit organization working with youth, and Oleh Maydanyuk, an employee of the Department of Youth and Family Affairs of the Local State Administration, for nine student leaders.
The event took place within the framework of Young Leader School, a project implemented in March 2006 by Podilsky Polk Kharakternoho Kozatsva and funded by the Center of Strategic Initiatives, a nonprofit organization working to improve cooperation between business and educational institutions. The aim of the School was to encourage students to establish and run student councils and advisory boards at local universities. At the seminar the participants discussed ways that student councils at various universities can cooperate using the Internet.
Popik explained that a website is a helpful and convenient tool to coordinate joint activities among local student councils, promote their activities, and highlight the urgent problems facing the student community to find solutions. As a result of the training, the participants started developing a website, which will cover activities of the local student councils. By sponsoring this seminar, IATP supported students’ initiatives in the region and fostered IT use in the activities of local youth NGOs.
Ivan Bodnaryuk helps attendees
search for information online
IATP Access site in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Demonstrates IT Use to Teachers of Ukrainian from Romania
On November 9 and 10, the IATP access site in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, was the venue for a seminar dedicated to online resources for teaching the Ukrainian language for 15 teachers of Ukrainian from Romania - participants in the International School of Ukrainian Studies. The aim of the School, organized and sponsored by the Institute of Innovative Technologies of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, was to demonstrate to the participants information technology (IT) use for teaching and professional development.
IATP Site Administrator Ivan Bodnaryuk briefly explained to participants how to search the Web for information of professional interest to them. Then participants explored websites on the topic, including online libraries (Electronic Library of Ukrainian Literature), websites on teaching and studying Ukrainian, and online resources dedicated to the history and traditions of the country. Using these online resources, the participants gathered materials for further use in their lessons. Nadia Boychuk remarked, “We are grateful for such a helpful seminar; in our everyday activity we regularly search for information about Ukraine, its life, culture, and traditions. We did not use IT before, since we had no idea that IT allows us to find quality information quickly.” IATP encouraged Romanian educators to use IT to make their Ukrainian lessons more effective and interesting. According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine over 61,000 Ukrainians live in Romania. By sponsoring this seminar, the US government supported the continuing revival of the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian culture after the demise of the Soviet Union.
MOLDOVA
Dr. Nadejda Babogla types her first
letter with the aid of a computer
Physicians Learn Computer Basics in Ciadir Lunga, Moldova
On November 11, IATP Mobile Trainer Margareta Buga trained 12 family doctors in computer basics in Ciadir Lunga, Moldova, as part of the MedIT project. The Ministry of Health Care and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova has defined information technology (IT) implementation at medical institutions as a priority for 2006-2008. MedIT aims to equip Moldovan doctors with computer skills and assist in IT implementation at hospitals and health clinics.
Over 350 physicians from Chisinau, Balti, Ungheni, Comrat, Orhei, and Soroca are to benefit from IATP services in fall and winter. The participating doctors discovered the basics of computer use, learned about operating systems, mastered skills for managing files and folders, and explored productivity software. Margareta Buga explained how to create documents, edit texts, work with tables, and save information. By using their newly-acquired skills and knowledge the participants will be able to manage information, research new medical procedures, and handle their administrative work more efficiently. This group of physicians will also attend IATP trainings in Internet basics and Web design, and will take part in online discussions on medical issues. Over 20 Moldovan physicians attended IATP trainings in November.
Greg Janes explains asynchronous
communication
Citizens in Moldova IT to Facilitate English Studies with Peace Corps Volunteer
On November 15, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau sponsored a seminar on Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), as part of International Education Week, for seven local residents. Peace Corps volunteer Greg Janes and IATP Assistant Petru Burdian led the seminar to help the attendees use information technology (IT) for more efficient English learning. Janes started the seminar with a definition of CALL - an approach to language teaching and learning in which computer technology is used as an aid to the presentation, reinforcement, and assessment of material to be learned, usually including a substantial interactive element. Then he provided a brief summary of three stages of CALL development: behavioristic, communicative and integrative. The participants discussed various ways to integrate CALL in a classroom, through asynchronous and synchronous communication as well as through the Internet. Later, Petru Burdian showed the participants free online resources dedicated to CALL.
The participants explored the website http://english.inrussia.org containing lessons on grammar, English texts, and methodological materials. Burdian also explained how to use online resources for English learning, and how to download and install them. By sponsoring this seminar, IATP introduced local residents to online tools for improving their English and encouraged them to use IT for their personal and professional development.
TURKMENISTAN
Guest speaker Nona Balliyeva
answers questions from participants
in the online discussion
IATP Hosts Online Discussion on Women’s Role in Society in Turkmenistan
On November 7, 13 representatives of international and local NGOs, students, homemakers, and ECA alumni gathered at the IATP access sites in Mary, Turkmenabat and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan for a two-hour online discussion on women’s role in society. The primary aim of the discussion was to raise awareness of protecting women’s rights and discuss development of equal social opportunities for women in Turkmen society.
Sheker Muradova (BFTFI 06), president of the Alumni Advisory Council in Mary, moderated the discussion while guest speaker Nona Ballyeva, a successful entrepreneur and business trainer from the Hemayat Economics Association, answered participants’ questions. To begin the discussion, Ballyeva stated that official government statistics place the number of female entrepreneurs in the country at 16,179, but lamented the fact that most women in business have no specialized education or training that would prepare them to be successful. Since the existing NGOs and Trade Unions working with women in Turkmenistan only deal with a narrow spectrum of women’s social problems, participants in the online discussion discussed the possibility of starting a new movement that could represent the interests of women entrepreneurs and provide them with training and support.
Nona Balliyeva emphasized the importance of creating an online resource accessible for women both in Turkmenistan and other countries that could serve as a clearinghouse on job and trade opportunities, an archive of training materials, and a tool for networking among women.
Eighteen-year old participant Selbi Dostchanova remarked, “There is an issue in Turkmenistan with the legal requirement of two years of work experience after high school graduation in order to enter higher educational institutions. A young man can solve this problem simply by serving two years in the army. But it is too complicated for a young woman, because at present I am unemployed, and can’t get work experience. I thought that my problem could be solved by working in a commercial centure where I could also receive some valuable entrepreneur and problem solving skills, which will help me in my future life.”
The IATP-initiated event helped participants identify problems in protecting women’s rights, to understand the importance of increasing women’s role in the society and in building democracy in Turkmenistan.
Selbi Nuriyeva, a participant from
Turkmen-Turkish High School for girls,
takes part in the tournament
High School Students Participate in Online Academic Tournament in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
From October 31 to November 15, six alumni of the FLEX and UGRAD exchange programs led by IATP Alumni Coordinator Myahrijemal Altybayeva conducted an online academic tournament, held in English, for 35 high school students in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The tournament was dedicated to International Education Week, with the primary goal of enabling students to check their knowledge of general topics, at the same time improving their English and their computer and Internet usage skills. The participants were divided into three age groups - students of 7th, 8th and 9th grades, with seven Ashgabat schools participating. The first stage of the tournament was a multiple-choice test that checked grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension, knowledge of world geography and history, US culture, and brain-teasers. The second stage included more complicated questions and a math section.
The alumni who organized the tournament developed the tests on the basis of Cambridge University’s textbooks for preparation for international exams in English, Test Master, and “Yos and Les IQ,” a complete test guide for learners of English. The alumni posted the quiz questions to the IATP Turkmenistan website, and students who registered at the forum had one hour to answer 65 questions.
Just before the awards ceremony for the winners on November 17, more than twenty students attended a screening on the film “The Perfect SAT Score” in English and listened to a presentation by FLEX alumni presentation “virtual trip to an American high school” at the ARC. The alumni presenters exposed Turkmen students to the culture, lifestyle, academics, sports, and extracurricular activities at US high schools and encouraged them to apply.
After the presentation students took part in an awards ceremony, in which IATP staff announced the winners of the tournament, who received certificates and English-Russian dictionaries as prizes. Nuriyeva Selby, a winner among eighth graders, commented, “It is a new experience for me to participate in a tournament through the Internet, because I’ve never done it before. In a month a traditional Olympiad among high schools will start in Turkmenistan, and taking part in the online tournament in English increased confidence in me, and I will participate in the usual English language competition too.” The IATP-initiated event introduced students to a new format for testing and helped them improve their English and computer skills.
AZERBAIJAN
Participants search for the latest
information on gender issues on
the Internet at the IATP access
site in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
College Students Learn about Impact of Gender Equality in Economic Development in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
On November 13, Gulnaz Guliyeva, an English teacher from the Technical and Natural Science Lyceum, conducted a two-hour seminar on gender equality and its impact on the economic development of Azerbaijan for 10 students from the Economics University at the IATP access site in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan.
Guliyeva opened the discussion delivering a presentation on the history of gender equality, the historically evolving roles of men and women, the problems of sexual discrimination and violence against women, and the role of gender equality in the economic development of Azerbaijan. He commented that since equal economic opportunities can increase the percentage of the population involved in the economy, they can significantly contribute to the country's welfare and prosperity. She gave a tour of various Web resources related to gender and economics, such as the website of The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) branch in Azerbaijan, where they learned about organization’s activities, projects, and programs to promote social justice and gender equality.
The participants also had a chance to read and discuss different publications on the same website, including the internally displaced person (IDP) women assessment report provided by UNIFEM in the Azeri language. The seminar helped participants learn more about gender issues and equal economic opportunities and their role in fostering economic development in the country.
GEORGIA
GEDA project Educational
Specialist Eliso Chelishvili answers
questions in an IATP forum
Georgian Teachers Communicate with Government and GEDA Education Specialists via IATP Forum Online
On November 17, more than 40 schoolteachers, educational administrators and other interested individuals participated in the first IATP-hosted forum in Georgia about the USAID-funded General Education Decentralization and Accreditation Project (GEDA) with Eliso Chelishvili, GEDA educational specialist, and Irakli Todua, chief of the Informational Management Department at the Ministry of Education and Science.
During a two-hour real-time question and answer session, the forum participants learned much about the new project, sponsored by USAID in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science. The project aims to establish educational resource centers (ERCs), which will serve as hubs for school networks and will facilitate training and technical assistance in curriculum, examinations, teacher certification, and accreditation, as well as other professional development opportunities for school personnel.
To start the forum, Todua reported, “ERCs will be channels for dissemination of up-to-date information and innovations introduced by the Ministry; they will serve as a better way to communicate and implement government policy.” Answering a question posed by Ketavan Lomidze, a teacher from Khashuri, about the interaction and subordination between school principals and ERCs, Chelishvili responded, “The function of ERCs is to encourage development of positive processes at schools and provide them with information and advice, though ERCs can’t interfere in the work of principals. Principals are only obliged to report to the school council.” The forum gave citizens across Georgia the opportunity to learn about an important new project that will influence development of the educational system.
Sofia Kamushadze addresses the
problem of illegal migration problems
with local residents in Kutaisi, Georgia
Citizens Learn the Struggles of Illegal Migrants in Kutaisi, Georgia
On November 22, the IATP access site in Kutaisi, Georgia hosted a seminar for 21 NGO representatives, students, teachers, librarians and other Georgians with experience living abroad, entitled, “Preventing Illegal Migration.” The seminar was conducted by Sofia Kamushadze, representative of the international non-profit organization People in Need, which supports human rights, democracy, and tolerance, while raising awareness of the situation of individuals suffering from the effects of war, long-term poverty or oppressive regimes. Approximately one million Georgian citizens are living abroad, a significant number of them illegally residing in foreign countries.
Kamushadze described ways to prevent illegal migration, providing potential migrants with information about risks. She also showed a documentary film entitled, “Georgian in Oasis,” which depicts the lives and problems of Georgians living abroad. Giorgi Shavgulidze, Director of IATP’s partner library, asked, “Why are the people who illegally migrate to foreign countries mistreated and their rights often violated, even though developed countries have numerous laws that must protect human rights and among them the rights of illegal migrants?” Kamushadze responded, “Though these countries comply with and fulfill international standards of protecting human rights, it is difficult to accomplish in practice due to the sheer number of migrants and their lack of documentation, which complicates tracking.” Through this event IATP informed Georgian citizens about the situation in the country concerning migration and risks associated with illegal migration.
KAZAKHSTAN
Vyacheslava Goncharova (FLEX 03)
shares her US experience with
participants at the IATP access
site in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstanis Go Online to Learn about Exchange Programs and Education Abroad
On November 15, Dana Mamrayeva, the administrator of the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, led a two-hour online discussion on education abroad and exchange programs for over 30 interested residents, including high school and college students, educators, librarians, and alumni of US-Government-sponsored exchange programs, from Almaty, Atirau, Karaganda, Kizilorda, Semey, Turkestan, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Dedicated to International Education Week (IEW), which was observed November 13 to 17, the discussion granted participants the opportunity to learn more about exchange programs and gain practical knowledge that might help them enroll in an educational institution abroad.
Saule Kussayeva, the program officer of the Education Programs Division at IREX in Kazakhstan, delivered a 10-minute presentation on the UGRAD and Edmund S. Muskie exchange programs, including how to compose succinct and clear essays, how to follow application instructions, and how to prepare for the TOEFL.
Next, Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program Officer Maira Tungatarova, briefly described the program, which in 2007 will provide 136 secondary school teachers from Eurasia and South Asia with intensive training in teaching methodologies, curriculum writing, teaching strategies, educational leadership, as well as the use of computers as teaching tools. Afterwards, Vacheslava Goncharova (FLEX 03) shared her US experience with the participants, including living with a US family, making friends, and coping with culture shock.
The online discussion greatly assisted the participants in preparing to apply for exchange programs. Galina Vasilieva commented, “I have been learning English for more than 10 years. However, I see the TEA program as a unique opportunity for me to grow professionally and improve my English. The discussion helped me to learn more about TEA and now I am planning to apply to it this year.”
Teachers explore www.sluh.freenet.kz
to prepare for their courses at the
IATP access site in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Teachers for Disabled Children Learn to Pass-Along Internet and Blog Skills
On November 17, IATP Administrator Alexander Parfentiev completed a week-long workshop on Internet basics and blogs for seven teachers from the Umit Handicapped Children Rehabilitation Center at the IATP access site in Almaty, Kazakhstan. All seven participants teach children with various disabilities, including speech and hearing impairments, in various subjects at the Center and equip them with knowledge and skills to prepare for future employment. The teachers included courses in computer and Internet in their curricula for impaired children, but for this the educators needed to attend IATP courses themselves to acquire new computer skills to train their handicapped students, who use sign language to communicate.
Parfentiev introduced the participants to online search engines, email services, online educational resources, and blogs. The participants browsed Kazakhstan’s first blog portal with over 30 topics and searched for such resources as teaching methodologies, materials for extracurricular activities, and others. The teachers also explored www.sluh.freenet.kz, an IATP-user-developed Web resource that serves as teaching tool for specific computer and Internet related terminology, brief explanations of computer components, and Russian sign language, as preparation for their courses. The course gave the teachers the skills they need to prepare their students for college admission and job placement. Center director Amanbike Ergaliev commented, “I am grateful to Alexander for helping our teachers learn new skills. Thanks to the course, the teachers will have the opportunity to find new teaching methodologies to educate our students. I also believe that we will be further collaborating with IATP to train our students and help teachers grow professionally.” The teachers will lead a two-week course in computer and Internet basics for the first group of 14 handicapped students from January 15 to 26.
KYRGYZSTAN
Aichurek Alimbekova follows the
discussion and posts her comments
at the IATP access site in Jalalabat,
Kyrgyzstan
Scholars Discuss Development of Educational Resources in Kyrgyz in Online Discussion
On November 17, more than 20 educators and scholars participated in a 90-minute online discussion from seven IATP access sites throughout the country to discuss the development of online educational resources in the Kyrgyz language and their use in schools in recognition of International Education Week (IEW).
Moderated by IATP Bishkek Administrator Anara Turdubekova, the discussion addressed issues such as obstacles scholars encounter while developing e-books and using IT in their teaching processes, advantages of e-textbooks over ordinary books, governmental efforts to introduce IT in educational systems, and several other topics. Atirkul Vudunlar, a Kyrgyz teacher from High School #4 in Kant, remarked, “I have developed two new methodologies of teaching Kyrgyz, including an IT component. However, I cannot use them to teach my students or share with my colleagues from other cities. Our school has outdated computers with no Internet access and this is one of the major hardships we face in developing online resources in Kyrgyz.” Aichurek Alimbekova, a history teacher from Jalalabat, commented, “E-books and distance learning opportunities would greatly help teachers and students overcome the shortage of books and other educational materials, especially in the rural areas. New books are published in limited numbers, teachers could share best practices and teaching materials online. We cannot sit and wait for government support, but we can think of how to develop an online portal of Kyrgyz resources.”
Even though Kyrgyz is the sole official language of Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz-language resources comprise only 3% of all online content hosted in the country, which is mainly in Russian or other languages. This online discussion was the first in a series of events organized by IATP to help educators and scholars learn more about using IT in education. Development of a Kyrgyz educational portal will be the main topic of the next online discussion on December 21.
Barishnikova develops curriculum
to post on http://curriculum.freenet.kg/
at Krupskaya High School in Nookat,
Kyrgyzstan
Educators in Kyrgyzstan Enrich Web Content by Developing Curricula
On November 17, 16 educators from Kant, Nookat, Balykchy, Kerben, and Bishkek developed and posted their curricula in mathematics, physics, chemistry, cookery, economics, Russian, and other subjects after a two-week course in computer and Internet use at IATP access sites throughout Kyrgyzstan dedicated to International Education Week (IEW). The courses were designed to equip local teachers and scholars with skills to develop educational programs and share best practices with colleagues from other cities.
From November 6 to 17, IATP administrators equipped the participants with skills in word processing and graphics editor programs, file/folder management, spreadsheet software, information search on the Web, and e-mail use. The culmination of educators’ participation in the two-week course was 17 developed course syllabi and texts in more than six subjects in Kyrgyz and Russian, all of which are available at the curriculum development website, an IATP-generated online resource that hosts ready-to-use curricula developed by local educators. Tatyana Barishnikova, a mathematics teacher at Krupskaya High School in Nookat, commented, “I developed curriculum in mathematics that will help teachers effectively introduce students to a new topic, and evaluate students’ knowledge in group and individual work along with interactive exercises. I also believe that interactive methods will help students learn more in mathematics than they can through lectures.” Educators in Kyrgyzstan have difficulties in exchanging information and resources and sharing best teaching practices, due to lack of funds for travel and lack of Internet facilities. IATP’s courses and resources helped local teachers acquire new computer and Internet skills to develop and share their teaching expertise. The curriculum development website now has over 30 ready-to-use courses and modules available to all interested educators. IATP will further provide free fixed time slots to these teachers to help them improve and add to their curricula.