Three Bangaldeshi teachers spent September 2005 in the US visiting
American schools. Here's a little background on these exchange
participants.
Shamima Akter, a teacher with 7 years’ experience, teaches class
6-9 mainly Math and General Science, but also Agriculture and Computer
Studies. Ms. Akter finds the internet a useful tool for teaching
different subjects practically and easily. She is able to find updated
information as well as teaching methods, handouts, and many other
helpful teaching tools quickly and easily. In the United States, Ms.
Akter will become more familiar with the American system of education
as well as how American students use computer skills for their
educational purposes. She would also like to see how the culture of
America plays a part in the computer education of the students. When
Ms. Akter returns to her native country she will teach students to use
the computer and internet. She will make projects with the students to
put on the internet for the world to view. She will also encourage her
community to become members of the internet learning center (ILC) by
explaining to them how the computer and internet can assist them in
their professions.
Abul Kashem, a teacher with 13 years’ experience, teaches
classes 5-10, mostly Computer Studies, but also Math and Chemistry. His
additional activities include working with the debate team and cultural
programs. Just like Ms. Akter, Mr. Kashem finds the internet a useful
tool for teaching different subjects practically and easily. He has
found pictures and teaching games from the internet to help develop his
classroom activities. He finds students very eager to use the internet
to help solve problems. When he goes to America he would like to see
the American teaching method and the use of computer technology and
internet in teaching. He would also like to see the relationship
between the teachers and students. Upon return to his native country,
Mr. Kashem will share his new knowledge with his colleagues, convey the
new methods he has learned to his colleagues, create closer
relationships with his students, and lastly encourage the community to
use the ILC by inviting relatives of students to visit the ILC.
Sarker Wahida Jahan, a teacher with 5 years’ experience, teaches
mostly English, but also some Bangla and Religious Studies. Apart from
teaching she is an active member of the school library committee. Ms.
Jahan believes the internet is an effective learning tool because of
its vast store of information. She also finds students very eager to
use the ILC because they are able to learn by doing. They are not
accustomed to applied learning, but this method has proven to be very
effective and exciting for the students. In the United States, Ms.
Jahan hopes to learn how to make teacher-students interaction more
effective in the classroom and how the internet is best used for
teaching. Upon return to Bangladesh she hopes to help computer users
become more efficient with their time in the ILC, help teachers of
other schools learn how they can use computers to teach their students,
and encourage the community to become involved in the ILC. |
