Smart or Classical Board?

Smart boards first introduced in 1991 to control windows-based applications. Later on they were improved and used in classrooms or corporations. Actually the working principle based on touchable davices. The system is almost the same as computer - projector link but the only difference is that one can use it in a more flexible way. This smart technology allows an active learning environment and you can easily overcome the difficulties of introducing a subject in the classroom. However I still have some prejudice on this technology. We welcomed Overhead Projector Technology but we couldn't use it. Then we met Technology Classes but we didn't employ sufficient number of Computer and Tech. teachers. That is why those classes became out of date and useless. After that we brought the Projectors and computers in our own classrooms but we couldn't use them properly. Finally we heard about the smart boards. I think before welcoming a new technology in our teaching methods, we should get the culture of it. Besides classical boards can stand still but we should decide chalk or boardmarker.

AVIATION CLUB ACTIVITIES-1

We have established an Aviation Club as it was last year at the school. We do our activities in English Class. We work with Mrs. Eda Açıkgöz in the club. We have planned to build a model plane and give certificates to the club students. I taught aerodynamics of the aircrafts and helicopters and we blowed electrical engined helicopters just to show how their flying principles.

MANY THANKS TO POLISH PARTNERS....

Many thanks to our Polish friends from Szkola Podstawowa nr 33 for their great help in collecting toys for the children who suffer from the on-going earthquakes in Van Province of Turkey. When we opened the parcel with my students, we saw the hearts and we felt the warm feelings of the cold country. Our project partnership has strengthened by the help of this sharing activity. We have shown all the World that friendship always wins. I have cried when I saw all those plush toys as it was clear that Polish students just abandoned them for their Turkish peers. God Bless you all because of your great heart.

THE PICNIC IN INCEKUM

İncekum Municipality organized an enjoyable picnic for the teachers working in Incekum Town. Mr. Fahri Baysal, the mayor of the town, celebrated all teachers' day and gave them cloves.

CK Training Center meets at dinner

Mr. Cemal Karataş, the owner of CK Private Training Center gave dinner at Iskele Sofrası Restaurant in Alanya Harbour for the employed teachers. Mr. Karataş celebrated the Teacher's Day of the participated teachers.

Tablet PCs at Schools???

Normally I should undoubtedly support the technological supplies at schools which aim to change teaching strategies and students' awareness for technological developments. However it is a fact that one can not get the benefits of the technological devices unless he has the culture of its. That is what we face in Turkey as we don't know in which conditions and for which purposes they are produced, we buy and try to use those devices. We buy the newest and the most expensive one even if we can use only a simple function of it just because we entirely focus on consuming. Hereby I don't think it will be fruitful for our education system since we don't actually know the importance of the devices which are being given to all of the students and teachers in Turkey.

Let me tell you an example which supports my claim. Some students in Kocaeli Province of Turkey sold the tablets given to them by the Ministry of Education. This example shows that we are still at the very beginning of the road.

In spite of this, I still see a glimmer of hope if we manage to teach how, why, where and when to use that technology, The students will be educated about te culture of it and they are going to be ready to adopt the new technology for their lessons.

Teachers dies in Van Earthquake

There was an eartquake measured as 7.2 in Van Province and Erciş District of Turkey on 23rd October 2011 and unfortunately more than 500 people died some lost and more than 4000 people injured. According to the report which the Ministry of Education announced there are more than 90 teachers who died in the earthquake just because they were mostly in a Cafe to have a rest and meet each other as it was weekend and they had just gone out from a Conference, caused a big sorrow in the education community. Forebears of education, headed to the ground one by one. As a result, the Academic year had been delayed till the 14th November, Monday in Van but after the second earthquake which happened in Van Lake and Edremit District measured as 5.7 three days ago, the cancellation has been extended by the Ministry of Education.

"I hope God have mercy on those who died in the Earthquake and patience for their families."

Promoting the Trip to London

We have organised an exhibition at the school paper corner to promote our trip to London, England between 12 to 18 October. We have exhibit the documents and video records we have collected in England and it was very helpful for our students to be informed about London and English culture. Students have asked questions about the trip and the ones who joined the trip have answered the questions. The exhibition has lasted all day long and almost all the students and teachers have visited it.