Education/News/June 2023/Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Program in Yemen Brings Positive Impact to Yemeni Teachers
Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Program in Yemen Brings Positive Impact to Yemeni Teachers
The Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom program has successfully trained 30 Yemeni teachers on how to use Wikipedia as a teaching resource to promote student engagement and critical thinking skills, despite the ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen. The program was organized by the program-certified trainer Rashad Al-Khmisy, and its sessions were held between February 25 and March 18, 2023. It utilized a blended training modality, combining both online and face-to-face learning, to accommodate the unique challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Yemen, using Google Classroom and a WhatsApp group.
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The program aimed to train Yemeni teachers on how to use Wikipedia in their classrooms effectively and promote student engagement and critical thinking skills. The program's guest speakers included Adel Nehaoua and Ajwaan, both administrative members of the Arabic Wikipedia.
Despite the challenges facing education in Yemen, including the displacement of teachers and students, a shortage of educational resources, and limited opportunities for vocational and technical education, the program has had a positive impact on local teachers and the educational system. The program has helped promote student engagement, develop critical thinking skills, improve teacher training, increase access to educational resources, and support education continuity.
Out of the 68 registered teachers, 44 actively participated in the program, with 30 teachers completing the program's training sessions. The program reached more than 150 teachers while the advertising campaign reached 2750 likes on our social page, indicating the program's widespread reach.
The program's success highlights the importance of teacher training and professional development, particularly in a context where many teachers lack the training and resources they need to deliver high-quality education. By providing training on how to use Wikipedia in the classroom, the program was able to improve the quality of education provided to Yemeni students and to build the capacity of local teachers.
Lessons learned from the program highlight the importance of flexibility, localization of educational resources, teacher training, promoting critical thinking, and education continuity. These lessons are essential for improving the quality of education in Yemen and promoting access to education for all.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the program's success demonstrates the potential for positive change in the educational system. The program's organizers and participants are hopeful that it will serve as a model for future initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education in Yemen.