Amman – The Queen Rania Teacher Academy (QRTA) has announced its sixth Teacher Skills Forum (TSF), taking place between March 6 and 8 at its new premises on the University of Jordan campus, under the Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah.
Under the theme “If learning is fun, then why are kids bored at school?”, the 2020 forum confronts this critical paradox head-on, delving into effective solutions that can make learning a gratifying experience for children, and satisfy their curiosity to explore new ground.
The forum also addresses the relationship between technology and children’s shrinking attention spans, and how to reconcile that with a reality-based on selective on-demand information, which also offers remarkable possibilities for self-discovery, passionate learning, and growth.
Workshops will also tackle learning paradigms, curricula, and the role of teachers and pedagogical methodologies in reimaging schools as fun learning spaces.
Launched in 2014, TSF is an annual regional event organized by QRTA in partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB) to equip teachers in the Arab world with creative and innovative teaching techniques. It is a platform for teachers to explore, learn, and share experiences with some of the world’s most renowned educators and scholars.
The forum stems from the basic idea of tackling the challenges of education at the grassroots level in classrooms. As such, TSF is the regional platform of choice for educators, administrators, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore, learn, and share experiences with some of the world’s most renowned teaching professionals and scholars.
Commenting on the forum’s sixth edition, QRTA CEO Dr Osama Obeidat said: “the Teacher Skills Forum has gained regional and international recognition for its unique approach in focusing on the needs of teachers and the classroom to improve the quality of teaching.” He explained that the gathering is an opportunity for teachers “to discuss goals for enhancing classroom and school communities, to share and apply best teaching practices, to network and create lasting relationships based on a shared vision, to develop modern and innovative lessons that incorporate technologies into classroom instruction, and to bridge the gap between academic theory and classroom practice.”
QRTA Academic Advisor, Mary Tadros, for her part, highlighted the forum’s efforts in hosting distinguished international speakers. Joining the forum this year are Senior Researcher at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s (HGSE) Project Zero, Mara Krechevsky, Head of Google for Education Southern Europe and the MENA Region, Marc Sanz Lopez, Practice Manager for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank's education practice, Dr Harry A. Patrinos, and HGSE’s Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Dr Katherine K. Merseth.
The forum will also host prominent speakers from Jordan, including University of Jordan’s Vice President for Humanities, Dr Ahmad Y. Majdoubeh, and Superintendent of Al Ahliyyah School for Girls and Bishop's School for Boys Amman, Senator Haifa Najjar.
As the region’s largest education event, the Teacher Skills Forum brings together representatives from globally renowned universities, including Harvard University, University of Jordan, Zayed University, University of Bath, University College London (UCL), and UCL Institute of Education. This year’s forum will also feature other prominent institutions, including Google for Education, the World Bank, International Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), the Educational Development Institute – the Qatar Foundation, the Children’s Museum Jordan, King Hussein Foundation’s National Center for Culture and Arts, Autism MENA Foundation (AMENA), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Insight ADVANCE, Jordan Media Institute, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center.
Supporters of this year’s forum include Google for Education, USAID Jordan, the Arab Potash Company, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Jack Ma Foundation, Smart Kids and Individual Learning Differences (SKILD) Center, Middle East International Baccalaureate Association (MEIBA), University of Bath, the British Council, AMENA, and NEASC.
The Queen Rania Teacher Academy is an independent institution committed to the vision of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of empowering educators with the skills, recognition, and support necessary to excel in the classroom. Launched in 2009 in partnership with the Ministry of Education, QRTA offers professional development programs for teachers that aim to meet the educational needs of students in Jordan and across the Arab world.