Connecting students to the real world – and inspiring them to take action in their local communities and beyond – can help create a better world, educators heard at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) annual Teaching and Learning Forum.
The event, organised by QF’s Pre-University Education and titled “Teaching and Learning Forum: Learning for Action and Community Service”, brought together nearly 1,500 teachers from across the country for four comprehensive sessions, as well as a series of presentations and workshops delivered in English and Arabic.
Mohamed Ahmed al-Harbi, senior events co-ordinator, PUE, QF, said: "The forum aims to provide an opportunity for teachers and educators within Qatar Foundation schools, and schools in Qatar, to exchange experiences, present best practices, and develop educational processes.
“The presence of so many teachers across such a wide variety of fields and specialisations will help to improve educational systems. Indeed, by bringing their expertise and experience, presenting different teaching methods and tools, and sharing best practices, students will benefit academically.”
The first session of the forum, titled “Learning through community service – the working teacher”, shed light on the role of the educator in encouraging learners to become global citizens, and eventually future leaders. The second session, “Moving from ideas to action: why service-learning matters”, discussed the importance of empowering young people to become catalysts for change – locally and beyond.
During a session titled “Community service is my way of learning”, participants learned how experiential and service learning can contribute to academics. During “Human by chance. Human by design”, participants heard about the requirements for student success and the need to prepare young people for the future.
Abdulrahman Hussain, a teacher at Qatar Academy Al Wakra – part of QF’s PUE – said: “Organising the forum and accompanying events and workshops is useful for teachers, staff, and faculty members of all disciplines to exchange different experiences. We will be able to share what we have learned with our schools – and students.
"Things are constantly changing, there are new technologies and skills in the world of education every day, and herein lies the importance of organizing this forum, to acquire and develop new skills, and preserve them so that we can benefit our students and society.”
Other sessions covered topics such as learning approaches centered on acquiring work and service skills; designing value-based learning opportunities to serve the community; how technology can inspire passion for Arabic.
 Mohamed Ahmed al-Harbi |
“The presence of so many teachers across such a wide variety of fields and specialisations will help to improve educational systems. Indeed, by bringing their expertise and experience, presenting different teaching methods and tools, and sharing best practices, students will benefit academically.”
The first session of the forum, titled “Learning through community service – the working teacher”, shed light on the role of the educator in encouraging learners to become global citizens, and eventually future leaders. The second session, “Moving from ideas to action: why service-learning matters”, discussed the importance of empowering young people to become catalysts for change – locally and beyond.
 Abdulrahman Hussain |
Abdulrahman Hussain, a teacher at Qatar Academy Al Wakra – part of QF’s PUE – said: “Organising the forum and accompanying events and workshops is useful for teachers, staff, and faculty members of all disciplines to exchange different experiences. We will be able to share what we have learned with our schools – and students.
"Things are constantly changing, there are new technologies and skills in the world of education every day, and herein lies the importance of organizing this forum, to acquire and develop new skills, and preserve them so that we can benefit our students and society.”
Other sessions covered topics such as learning approaches centered on acquiring work and service skills; designing value-based learning opportunities to serve the community; how technology can inspire passion for Arabic.
