Voices of Future Generations English - Blog , Voices in EducationVoices of Future Generations English - Blog , Voices in Educationhttps://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/voices-in-educationSat, 04 Apr 2026 12:31:22 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[The Critical Thinking Programme]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/the-critical-thinking-programme1

The inspiration to design The Critical Thinking Programme for me stemmed out of a professional development session on Benjamin Blooms Taxonomy. As a sixth-grade teacher, I was trained to engage measurable verbs and frame questions with a conscious focus on structured objectives, for example, list, classify, sketch, connect, defend, or design to support my students’ understanding of the exam questions and how to answer them effectively. I realised how abstract some of the higher order thinking verbs would appear to my classroom of second language learners, and so the idea of turning abstract to concrete became an obsession. Browsing through ideas and articles, the connection between colours and perception of ideas really struck me. I decided to explore the concept of linking thinking to colours.


Critical thinking is a complex process. And to highlight the importance of processes we can say that facilitating a child’s understanding on identifying the right process can consciously contribute towards their academic and personal growth. I started viewing the Blooms’ thinking levels as integral processes to critical thinking and knew that they would remain abstract until translated to a visual or broken down to concrete questions.


By turning the thinking process to colours, The Critical Thinking Programme aimed to help young learners visualize what thinking looks like and delve into decision-making centered around identifying the right process as a tool to design their way to success. This independence and academic growth, deeply tied to a student’s sense of self efficacy and achievement, arises from being aware of their own thinking faculties and actively contributing to their own success.


As an English language and homeroom teacher, I decided to introduce the programme as a pilot project for my sixth graders. The thinking peas, as we called them, represented the different levels of thinking. Red stood for remembering, green for understanding and applying, blue to analyse and evaluate and yellow indicated synthesis and creativity. Each student had a labeled name box on their table through the lesson and to encourage participation, I introduced the programme as an incentive to win points for sharing ideas, asking questions and engaging their critical thinking skills. Remembering earned 1 point, understanding and applying earned 2, analysis and evaluation 3 and creativity carried 5 points. The instruction to ‘open their boxes’ at the beginning of the lesson gradually became a powerful symbol of ‘thinking in action’ and they knew the questions would flow in with the coloured peas to recognize their cognitive abilities. Externalising their thought process improved their communication skills, and they learnt how to express their ideas with confidence and autonomy.


We counted their points at the end of each term and displayed graphic growth for each child’s thinking in action. This showcased incredible academic growth as they became more confident and skilled in making informed decisions. A blend of colours in their name box spoke volumes about them as analytical thinkers. In time, maintaining their thinking log books helped them become more familiar with learning processes and strategies to engage for each challenging question that came their way.


Education is fundamentally about asking questions.


The journey of developing a better understanding of the world around us has a lot to do with the type of questions that we ask. The growth of the mind is witnessed in the complexity of our questions. As a result, schools, educators and leaders list critical thinking as a key success indicator to raising a promising, more analytical future generation.


The Critical Thinking Programme has been an effective tool for introducing young children to their own thinking faculties and encouraging them to ask questions and share their opinions and ideas without the fear of failure. Linking thinking to colours revealed a spectrum of thinkers in my classroom. Each one carrying a different blend of colours.




Shama Noman is a thinking teacher, and educator with 23 years of teaching experience in the UAE. She is a passionate advocate for Children’s Rights and is dedicated to helping young learners discover and embrace their unique voices and expressions. As Voices of Future Generations and Education Development Manager at the Emirates Literature Foundation,Shama leads and designs story-building workshops and webinars on creative writing and sustainability. In her role as an educator, she supports teachers and schools in nurturing their most talented writers through personalized sessions and constructive story feedback. Committed to making a positive impact on the Global Goals, Shama aims to cultivate a generation of analytical and empathetic writers who will shape a sustainable future for themselves and others.

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]]>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 15:01:10 +0400<![CDATA[Parents as Role Models in Reading: A Guide to Inspiring a Love for Books- the voice of Hanadi Tayfour]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/parents-as-role-models-in-reading-a-guide-to-inspiring-a-love-for-books-the-voice-of-hanadi-tayfour1Encouraging a love for reading in our children can be such a joyful and fulfilling journey, I am sharing some tips I found effective, hoping they woul ]]>



Encouraging a love for reading in our children can be such a joyful and fulfilling journey, I am sharing some tips I found effective, hoping they would inspire you.

Lead by example: When my child sees me enjoying a book or a magazine, it naturally attracts their curiosity. Let’s show our kids how much we love reading so they’ll want to join in too.

Make reading a special part of the day: I’ve found that setting aside a cozy time each day just for reading (no mobile phone around) whether it’s before bed or during a quiet moment in the afternoon, it can be a wonderful way to wind down and connect with our kids. It is a perfect bonding time that will always be cherished.

Create a little book corner: At home, I set up a special spot where books are always within reach. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a comfy place where my child can curl up with a good book.

Select books they like: I always try to choose books that match my child’s interests—whether it’s dinosaurs, princesses, or outer space. The right book can truly spark their love for reading, and I’m sure you’ll see the same.

Share the magic of reading aloud: Reading stories together with fun voices and asking questions as we go brings the story to life. It keeps my child engaged, and it’s a simple joy we both look forward to.

Explore the library together: Regular trips to the library have become a big adventure for us. Let your child pick out books and participate in Storytime sessions. It’s such a fun way to make the library feel like a welcoming, magical place.

By including these little habits in our routine, we can help our children discover the joy of reading in a way that feels natural and enjoyable for both of us. I hope you find these tips as helpful as I have, please share your tips too!



Bio- As the Projects Manager and Library Advisor at the Emirates Literature Foundation, Hanadi utilizes her Master of Research and Bachelor of Library and Information Science to promote literature and reading both in the UAE and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience in managing libraries, conducting research, and developing literacy programs for a diverse range of audiences, Hanadi is dedicated to introducing global literary works to new audiences. 

]]>Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:00:21 +0400<![CDATA[Wellbeing in Education - the voice of Robert Williams]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/wellbeing-in-education Hello, my name is Rob and over the past two years my role at school has foc ]]>

Wellbeing in Education

Hello, my name is Rob and over the past two years my role at school has focused on well-being in education. Specifically, how we can begin to address the well-being needs of students that are ever changing and very individualized. In order to achieve this, I adopted an action research-based approach which led to the development of PEP (Positive Education Program).

 

First things first, we needed to develop a school-wide understanding of what well-being is and its individual components. For this, we adopted the PERMAH model developed by Martin Seligman. Consisting of 6 components; positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment, and health, the model had already been used in the region as the foundation for the KHDA longitudinal well-being census.

 

Next, we merged these components with additional school values (such as respectfulness and curiosity) and coded in a bank of questions that would then be used to individually measure student well-being against these metrics. Each class was then provided with a 20-minute slot in their daily schedule for PEP time. But here is the innovative part, the coaching and activities provided to each class was individualized based on their individual data. So hypothetically speaking, if Grade 1 flagged as displaying low levels of engagement, an engagement focused session was chalked out for them. Grade 2 having issues with health-related topics, health focused sessions were planned for them. 

 

Students, parents, and teachers really bought into the idea which certainly helped in its implementation. However, it’s important that we continue by optimizing such initiatives. Who knows what such a model could look like in ten years? Data being collected in the background by an AI well-being bot? Students being able to determine their own well-being metrics and how they can allocate time to developing them? The possibilities are truly endless and in reality, we are still at the very genesis of exploring the role in well-being and how it can be developed in our education models. 


Voice of Robert Williams


Robert has spent the last 9 years working in Dubai based schools in a range of roles such as homeroom teaching, head of science, and director of student success and well-being. The blog focuses on a well-being initiative that was developed as his thesis project whilst completing a masters in educational leadership. 

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]]>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:07:28 +0400<![CDATA[Building Writers in the Classroom - the voice of Sharon Monis]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/building-writers-in-the-classroom-the-voice-of-sharon-monis "A word after a word after a word is power." -Margaret Atwood ]]>

Building Writers in the Classroom

"A word after a word after a word is power."

-Margaret Atwood

  

The art of conversation has been a dire need of humankind for eons. Moreover, this need has manifested itself in several forms – painting, photography, music and so on.  

   

Underlying all of these forms is one common thread – writing. Writing is, has, and forever will be the chief medium for the translation of human emotions.

   

So then, the big question that percolates through the walls of our minds is ‘How do we build and nurture this art in the future generations – our children?’

   

The ‘Wonder Years’ (ages 5 to 15), the time when imagination, fantasy, the compelling and natural inclination to be what one is not (but surely can be one day) needs to be tapped to utmost propensity.

   

In my teaching career, I have found that there are multiple ways to do this but no one way is the elixir for it.

   

Therefore, my first suggestion is to provide kids a platform to SHINE ON. There is no one who does not appreciate a word of acknowledgment and it is more so with children. Exceptional pieces of writing must be acknowledged through school weeklies and newsletters to encourage them to write more. Social media should go gaga about the achievements of budding authors. This in turn will also inspire other children to try their hand at writing.

   

Once this has been achieved, the next step would be to go CLUBBING. Gathering all young, budding authors to form a Writer’s Club will provide them the opportunity to share ideas, analyze, critique and suggest ways to hone their skills.

   

WOW (Writers Observe Writers) is a terrific opportunity where accomplished talents exhibit the fine nuances of engaging the reader through the power of words. The young writers will thus deepen their understanding of the use of various elements like imagery, climax, anti-climax and how to amalgamate these into a story worth reading.

   

Make it PERSONAL. No idea is a bad idea. This maxim must be continually reinforced in every child. The mentor here plays a vital role in instilling confidence through personalized teacher feedback. The teacher can guide the rampaging flow of ideas and help their budding Rowlings and Blytons and Dahls. What the teacher simply needs to remind oneself is ‘Positivity is a good parasite.’

   

Finally, it is time for RBL (Reading Between the Lines). A prerequisite to good writing is to know fully well the message, the moral, the endgame that the piece of writing wants to convey. The best way to do this is to widen the horizon of the genre of books read. Extensive reading begets extensive writing. Only when these young writers will do so will they be able to replicate the fine art of writing.

   

The greatest and most crucial of all strategies is to keep the fire of creative writing kindling in the hearts and minds of our young authors. Using these strategies, we can create an environment where young writers thrive to their full potential.


Voice of Sharon Monis


Sharon Monis, a teacher at GEMS UIS, exemplifies the quote, “Passion is energy”. She aims to channelize young minds and their skills towards building a world of harmony for themselves and others. She firmly believes that the kids of today can spearhead a global revolution of sustainability if given the right opportunities. Sharon Monis, a teacher at GEMS UIS, exemplifies the quote, “Passion is energy”. She aims to channelize young minds and their skills towards building a world of harmony for themselves and others. She firmly believes that the kids of today can spearhead a global revolution of sustainability if given the right opportunities.

]]>Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:36:37 +0400<![CDATA[Pandemic - Paralysis, Performance, & Progress - the voice of Maaria Kashif]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/pandemic-paralysis-performance-progress-the-voice-ofThis past year has been a roller coaster to say the least. As an educator of English Language Arts and Science to Middle School students my challenges ]]>

Pandemic - Paralysis, Performance, & Progress

This past year has been a roller coaster to say the least. As an educator of English Language Arts and Science to Middle School students my challenges were awaiting me in and out of the classroom. I can happily say I am a 21st century teacher, one who knows the loops of an “online interactive” teaching platform- but was this enough to keep up with these middle schoolers…. No comment! The misconception- “working or studying from home”- was initially interpreted as things are going to be easier, but were they? Not at all. Longer planning time, longer working hours, balancing house life with work life. No human interaction due to the pandemic. The anxiety of not knowing when we would next meet family, friends, coworkers, students, and teachers. This was the phase that felt like paralysis. The constant what, how, why, when, where questions and not having the answers available.


  When it started, I would constantly ask myself a question, “Are they the only ones learning in this pandemic? Will they grasp the concepts I teach them in the manner I want them too? How will I help the one’s that need extra help with this BARRIER of the screen?”, and almost all of the time I would respond knowing that I learned from these students daily too, that we managed to schedule extra sessions when and where needed, that I wasn’t alone in this constant struggle, and they were feeling the same. Education is evolving and so is technology, therefore some wanted, and some unwanted changes are playing a role in all of this. Your confidence and motivation are important but the bond, relationship and care you have for your students pulls you through. For me this began the phase of performance. I had moved out of the paralysis phase and started to witness them and myself perform.


  There were times in online lessons, I would be shocked to see the motivation of my students, not towards just the lesson, but just the fact that they were attending my lesson. They would ask me to keep sessions running after class time or allow them into extra zoom sessions after school hours just so they could revise a concept, spend some time with me and other students online or even help peers. This Pandemic taught me one thing very clearly, the love and passion you invest into your lesson and students comes back to you. The students can feel it and if you value the bond you have with them, they not only love you, but enjoy learning your subject just as much. We explored how to help them become more independent, which resources cater to which learning styles, what motivates their wellbeing, what feeds their brain and their emotions and even though they were on the other side of the screen, and I craved that physical set up in the classroom, they never made me crave their virtual presence. This all wrapped up and gave me my desired and expected results and the progress that I wished for them to meet and exceed.


Voice of Maaria Kashif

Maaria Kashif has been a teacher for 12 years. She teaches because she loves kids. The passion of her mentors, colleagues, and the love from her students have made her fall in love with her profession. Teaching has taught her patience, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. Becoming a teacher has been a fulfilling decision and the journey has given her memories and lessons for a lifetime.

]]>Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:08:51 +0400<![CDATA[The Roadmap for Preparing Students for the MAP Exam - the voice of Dr. Mina Radhwan ]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/the-roadmap-for-preparing-students-for-the-map-exam-the-voice-of-dr.-mina-radhwanAssessments are considered as a significant component in the process of improving education all over the world. Formative assessment helps teachers to ]]>

The Roadmap for Preparing Students for the MAP Exam

Assessments are considered as a significant component in the process of improving education all over the world. Formative assessment helps teachers to enhance students’ learning skills and develop their academic progress. Nowadays, for educational accountability, countries, schools and teachers are evaluated based on students’ progress results in various types of assessments. Benchmark tests, specifically the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP), is one of the external benchmark assessments in which students are not performing well according to the required targets of the UAE National Agenda 2021. Therefore, I have designed a roadmap that can help all teachers who are responsible for preparing students for the MAP exams and improving their learning skills in general which has been proven in my study titled (Educational Leaders’ Perceptions of the Implementation of Formative Assessment Strategies on Enhancing Students’ Results in the MAP Exams in American Private Schools in the United Arab Emirates).


Educators’ role


Stage One: Analysis 

  • Identify the students’ current skills - Classify students’ skills according to their level in the Depth-of-Knowledge model.
  • Students’ results in the last MAP exam with the identified Growth Projection for each student.
  • Ask: (Where am I now?), (Where am I going?), (What strategies can help me achieve my target?).
  • Results of teacher-student individual constructive feedback (Strong and weak areas).
  • Results of the student’s self-assessment (Strong and weak areas).



Stage Two: Building an effective teaching plan including

  • Setting the needed skills for each student - Identifying the intended learning outcomes.
  • Preparing appropriate differentiated motivational activities and tasks that are suitable for students’ needs including critical thinking, problem solving that is related to real life applications, and previous MAP questions.
  • Implementing various formative assessment strategies such as: Think-Pair-Share strategy, Feedback strategy, Self-Assessment strategy, Problem-Based Learning strategy, Questioning strategy, and Exit-Card strategy.
  • Continuous practice.
  • Constant assessments including (discussions, individual constructive feedback, self-assessment, students’ work)

Stage Three: Continuous monitoring and evaluating students’ progress including

  • The results of the students in the three MAP exams over the whole academic year. 
  • Classroom Observation.
  • Evaluating ongoing information about students’ progress through the use of various FA strategies.

School’s role


  • Ensure teachers’ competence in delivering the suitable and motivational ways of teaching that can improve the required skills of students.
  • School support. Schools must provide teachers with professional development sessions, a reasonable teaching load, an appropriate learning environment, a moderate number of students in each class, and a range of resources in order to achieve the required results.
  • Sufficient time.


Voice of Dr. Mina Radhwan

Dr. Mina Radhwan has been working in the UAE for the past 15 years. She earned a masters degree with a degree of excellence in Science Education. She currently holds a PhD degree in Education (Leadership and Management). Dr. Mina works as an educational evaluator in the Ministry of Education. She has published some articles related to types of assessments, the best ways of teaching and learning, curricula, and benchmark exams. 

]]>Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:19:51 +0400<![CDATA[How Gratitude Changes your Brain - the voice of Maria Margossian ]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/How-Gratitude-Changes-your-BrainThere is a lot of talk these days about how gratitude is good for your mindset and your happiness, and there is plenty of evidence to support these cl ]]>

How Gratitude Changes your Brain

There is a lot of talk these days about how gratitude is good for your mindset and your happiness, and there is plenty of evidence to support these claims. But what you may not know is that actively appreciating your life and the positive aspects of it can change your brain and even improve other aspects of your health, including making your heart healthier.

Understanding what exactly is meant by gratitude is necessary if you want to enjoy the full benefits that this practice can offer to your life. To have gratitude, you must first appreciate something, which requires that you recognize that it is valuable to you in some way. The second part of gratitude is that we can accept that these things are given freely to us, by others, by the world, and by ourselves. Being grateful goes beyond just saying “thanks” for something. It is a reflection on how this blessing enhances your life, and that you accept its gift without reservation.


Gratitude is not just an emotion that we feel. It is an act, one that must be done intentionally, to recognize the positive aspects of our lives, the things that bring us joy or make our lives complete. It is an attitude or disposition, and it is something you must purposefully do to get the most benefit. When you practice gratitude, it starts a virtuous cycle in your mind that influences how you think and see the world. You focus on the positive things in your life, and then you notice there are more positive things than you previously realized. Then, you become more grateful for these, and you see more for which you have appreciation. When you practice gratitude, your brain releases hormones that encourage this cycle to continue, as well.


Learning to be more grateful takes practice, just like developing any other skill. It is not enough to do it once or twice a year. It is something that should be part of a regular routine, and it does not take much effort to build this into your life. Here are just a few simple ways that you can practice gratitude in your life:

  • Keep a gratitude journal and make a new entry each day. Take just five minutes to contemplate what you are grateful for today and write it down.
  • Tell someone you know or work with how much you appreciate them.
  •  Meditate for five minutes and think about the positive aspects of your current life.
  • Write a thank-you note for something you appreciate in your life. It does not even matter if you send it. The act of writing it will have the same benefit for you.
  • Keep a gratitude list and add to it every day.
  •  Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself what you love most about you.
  • When something goes wrong in your life, list a few good things that came from this occurrence.
  • Use an object, just as a rock or small talisman to remind you to be grateful. Every time you see it, spend just a moment thinking of all the things for which you are appreciative in your life.

When it comes to gratitude, effort matters more than perfection. Even just trying to think about what you are grateful for is beneficial to your health and well-being. The act of considering your appreciation releases the same hormones that make you feel happier. So, do not worry if you are getting it “right” or not. Just do it!




Voice of Maria Margossian

Maria Margossian is a school counsellor holding MA Degree in Special Needs education as well. She is currently pursuing her higher education and certificates for Grief Counselling with the American Institution of Health Professionals. She has been working in the UAE for the past 13 years and her domain of work involves social, emotional and well-being challenges on daily basis. 

“Creating a healthy mindset is an investment in your overall wellbeing” – Unknown.

]]>Mon, 03 May 2021 14:25:32 +0400<![CDATA[Teachers Never Stop Learning - the voice of Neill Power]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/Teachers-Never-Stop-Learning If I have learned anything during the last year, it is the incredible resilience students are capable of when the occasion ]]>

Teachers Never Stop Learning

If I have learned anything during the last year, it is the incredible resilience students are capable of when the occasion calls for it. To have your life turned upside down at the age of 7 and continue to challenge yourself on a daily basis is one thing, to do so with a smile on your face is something most fully grown adults have struggled to achieve. 


The long-term effects of Covid-19 in education is something that crosses my mind on a daily basis. Aside from the impact on social interactions, the disruption to daily routines, in my opinion, will have long lasting effects that we cannot possibly predict. However, I do suspect that there are some potentially positive effects; mainly seen in higher levels of independence, development of technology skills and the increased resourcefulness of our students. This year, students have been challenged in ways that very few, if any, students have been challenged before.  I believe teachers have the opportunity to guide students to focus on what they have learned from this year rather than what they have lost. 


The challenges of the last year have led to a great deal of self-reflection on why I teach and how can I keep moving forward in order to provide the best levels of education for my students. For me the answer is the same; passion. Teaching is more than a career to me. It’s a passion, a calling and a journey. I don’t believe anybody ever stops learning, and where better to learn than a classroom-even if you are the teacher! I learn something new from my students at least once a week, allowing for inspirational discussions and an electric atmosphere in our online sessions. Being an educator runs a lot deeper than the training we have received, it’s who we are. I do believe ‘teacher burn-out’ is something that has been brought to everyone’s attention this year. Working with students requires patience, understanding and love. Some days, even that isn’t enough. Some Thursday afternoons we may leave the classroom convinced that any other career would be a better choice. However, a true teacher will always arrive back into class first thing Sunday morning ready to take on the challenges of another week with a smile.


This leads me to my final point on what makes an outstanding teacher. While all teachers will naturally work to their own strengths, I believe two main characteristics are the mark of an outstanding teacher: honesty and a creative mind. 


I believe in honesty and transparency on all levels in a classroom. Teachers should always model the behavior they expect from their students, including; admitting mistakes, asking for help and connecting with your students on a personal level. This has never been more important than in today’s educational environment of online activities, emails and zoom sessions. My students have always been very receptive when we discuss the importance of honesty and it is a core element of my classroom management style.


Having a creative mind allows teachers to be flexible and imaginative. Creating exciting, student-led lessons that allow for differentiation for all learning styles and ability levels. 


“Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like”-Rita Pierson. 


This quote inspires me and reminds me of my responsibility to my students. I always endeavor to create a lifelong love of learning in my students and encourage them to take pride in all of their accomplishments, whatever those accomplishments may be.


“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn” - Benjamin Franklin


Voice of Neill Power

Reading and Writing have always been two of Neill’s greatest passions in life. His mother instilled a love of reading at an early age, and life experiences have given him a love of expressing himself through writing. His aim is to inspire his students and lead by example. 
]]>Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:08:00 +0400<![CDATA[In Awe of the Imperfect Being - the voice of Tasneem Usman]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/in-awe-of-the-imperfect-being-the-voice-of-tasneem-usmanThe dynamic context of education has always been a source of wonderment for me. It is never static, never boring, and always excites me with the possi ]]>

In Awe of the Imperfect Being

The dynamic context of education has always been a source of wonderment for me. It is never static, never boring, and always excites me with the possibilities each unique scenario unfolds. The vision of children sitting under a tree learning from their teacher during the olden days (prevalent even now in some parts of the world) is as enthralling to me as children sitting in a fully equipped classroom in a shiny, state of the art educational facility being taught by a trained and qualified subject specialist.


A major part of my career has been spent observing learning in different contexts over the years while devoting numerous hours to preparing and poring over perfectly scripted policies and plans. I still find myself asking the basic questions, ‘What are the right ingredients of a lesson that spell magic in the classroom? Is there such a thing as a perfect lesson?’ Well, my self-determined, self-proclaimed answer is a ‘No’,


The outstanding learning that one witnesses in a classroom stems from the most important resource, the imperfect teacher. Yes, she is ‘imperfect’ because it is her imperfections that make learning such a humane process. Our expectations sometimes drive us to expect the impossible from a teacher calculating and planning her lesson to the last minute with impeccable precision and skill. However, were it not for the human touch, that precise perception and the heightened sense of awareness of the needs of her students during a lesson, that a teacher is able to do justice to the power she has in her hands of shaping young minds.


The underlying principle is simple: trusting and supportive relationships. The inherent demand of this secret ingredient never fails to impress me when I see it in action. This aspect has become more prominent now in the array of hybrid, face to face, virtual, you-name-it-and-we-have-it scenarios. I think and I wonder at the powers teachers are equipped with, when in the current situation, they manage to keep the love for learning alive through those slight in-the-moment adjustments to their strategies. 


That subtle change in question, that lame joke cracked to lighten the mood, those simulations hunted down for students to marvel at and learn from, the multi-tasking done while explaining a concept to ensure students apply their learning in those 50 minutes are things to wonder at every day. And if while doing so, all the criteria that make a perfect lesson are not ticked off, it is because in this imperfect teacher you find a super-responsive, super-adaptable, super-compassionate human being who will not be remembered for the knowledge she imparted but for the way she made her students feel in her classroom. That remains a constant in the ever-evolving world of education. 


Voice of Tasneem Usman

Head of Teaching & Learning/Head of Senior School


An educator, who draws her inspiration from the many lessons her colleagues and students have taught her ever since she stepped into the academic world since 2006. A believer of Ken Robinson’s philosophy of education, considers her area of leadership and management an ever expansive and humbling experience.

]]>Tue, 16 Mar 2021 09:24:00 +0400<![CDATA[Disruptive Education -The 21st Century Educational Model - the voice of Adeeba Waseem ]]>https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/blogs/post/Disruptive-EducationThe jury stands divided on whether the disruptive educational model is a blessing in disguise or unproductive. While there is a certain narrative that ]]>

Disruptive Education -The 21st Century Educational Model

The jury stands divided on whether the disruptive educational model is a blessing in disguise or unproductive. While there is a certain narrative that proclaims online teaching as ineffective yet if you explore deeper you will realize it is the other way around. Allow me to explain why I, as an educator, endorse the changes the pandemic forced us to make. We were like frogs in a well with limited visions and suddenly we had no other option but to jump out to survive. What an amazing world we found with lots of free access to various new tools and support which in normal circumstances we may not have tried. We had to update our skills in a short span but thankfully with everything being available at the click of a mouse it was much easier.


I personally feel this pandemic has helped the education sector grow in leaps and bounds. It has made teaching and learning both more efficient and equitable. Students learned how to adapt, change according to their circumstances, and explore new options. International inter-school competitions which would have never been an option for many kids are now being won by them. A win does wonders to the confidence of students and sometimes creates a winner for life. Also, when they come back and share their experience, they encourage their classmates to dream on similar lines. They are exposed to international standards of teaching and assessments-questions which make them think and answer, this future generation is going to work with all the data at a click, so they need critical thinking and collaboration, both of which worked beautifully in an online class.


Now this has been a difficult but extremely fulfilling year for teachers, yes, we all had to put in lots of time updating our technical skills, but we all did it. Teachers who earlier said they cannot handle technology were suddenly pros at it, it was a year of personal boundaries being pushed and new personal benchmarks being set. We got data in seconds to modify our teaching, one class/ one test was all that was needed to know exactly which child is at which level and what type of intervention is required.


Every teacher worked meticulously to ensure their classes were error-free and as effective as possible- they never forgot that every class was recorded and often had parents sitting on the other side. We are now the ‘outstanding’ teachers who are constantly observed and monitored and totally enjoy the experience! The recordings also gave parents a reality check on their children and this brought in transparency.


Students are digital natives and now the teaching community is finally matching their skills. Personally, I now have a YouTuber, an inter-school winner already in my class of 29, along with it I have two kids working on a mask disposal unit for the community, 5 kids working on a story, and each one trying out something or the other. Personally, I have updated myself to become a Microsoft Master Trainer and Common-Sense Educator and am guiding many of my peers towards the same. If this is ‘ineffective’ believe me let us have it across.


Voice of Adeeba Waseem 

Adeeba Waseem supervises academics in the primary grades (3-5) at DPS, Sharjah. Her goal in life is to ensure her 1000+ students experience unparalleled learning opportunities by incorporating best practices. She works proactively to help UAE create compassionate, empowered, happy global citizens and leaders of the future.

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