REPORTS

Date: 14 March 2023

Venue: DSE, Ministry of Education & Skills Development

The supporting staff of the School Curriculum Division, Ministry of Education and Skills Development attended a 1.5 hours orientation and hands-on training on how to use ChatGPT in their daily work. The training oriented the participants to the emerging AI tool and helped them identify areas where they use it effectively.

Date: 27-28 March 2023

Venue: MIK, Khaling LSS, Jigme Sherubling HSS, Trashigang

A team of MoESD professionals visited three schools at Khaling to carry out a situational analysis of the ICT curriculum for students with visual impairment. The situational analysis will facilitate towards the development of ICT curriculum specifically for the MIK students.

Date: February to March 2023

Venue: Online through Google Classroom, Zoom and Telegram

About 90 ICT teachers from Middle and Higher Secondary Schools completed online training on Python coding for classes XI and XII ICT. Coding concepts such as OOPs, Tkinter, Database on SQLite and Data science were covered  during the training.

Date: 3 May 2023

Venue: Online through Zoom and Telegram

47 teachers from 15 Dzongkhags, teaching in primary and lower secondary schools attended the online training on the CodeMonkey platform and various courses for implementation in 2023. The teachers were oriented on how to assign the courses, apply different pedagogies and use various assessment tools including tests to make students develop coding skills and aptitude.  

Date: 22-26 May 2023

Venue: Jakar HSS, Bumthang

13 ICT laboratory assistants from Bumthang and Trongsa were trained in basic networking and hardware and software troubleshooting. The training is intended to build the competency of ICT lab assistants for providing quality services to teachers and students in developing ICT knowledge and skills.

Date: 8-14 May 2023

Venue: Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea

20 ICT focal teachers and 3 MoESD officials attend a week-long training under the KLIC project.  The training introduced the participants to various ICT tools including the drone, AI, 3D printing, physical computing and STEAM classes using apps. The training equipped the participants with new educational and coding technologies that are expected of them to share in their respective Dzongkhags and Thromdes. 

Date: 8-14 July 2023

Venue: Tshongdue Boutique, Paro

In collaboration with the VTOB Foundation, 34 Primary school teachers from Wangdue, Punakha and Gasa Dzongkhags attended a week-long training on enhancing/promoting coding skills in schools. The participants were trained on coding platforms (ScratchJr, Scratch, CodeMonkey, Python Turtle) and physical computing using Micro:bit. Through the VTOB foundation, laptops and Micro:bit devices will be distributed to the schools to promote coding literacy in primary schools.  

Date: 4-5 August 2023

Venue: Jigme Losel Primary School, Thimphu

The teachers of Jigme Losel Primary School and some ICT teachers from nearby schools attended the refresher training on CodeMonkey for two afternoons. Participants were introduced to the CodeMonkey courses and demonstrated how to solve CodeMonkey challenges for classes PP-VI. Participants were equipped with knowledge and pedagogies to deliver a effective coding lesson using CodeMonkey.

Date: 21-23 Nov 2023

Venue: Dechencholing HSS & Loselling MSS

The team from the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education and IACE, South Korea provided training to about 80 teachers under the KLIC and Innovative ICT-Integrated Pilot Classroom project. The teacher participants were introduced to various Edutech tools including robotics and AI for teaching and learning. Since 2020, around 30-60  Bhutanese teachers have been provided professional development training, either online or face-to-face, on the use of digital tools for education under the KLIC project.

Date: 16-22 Feb 2024

Venue: Mongar HSS

MoESD in collaboration with VTOB Foundation provided coding and digital skills training to 60 teachers from primary and lower secondary schools in eastern Bhutan. Teacher participants were oriented on coding platforms such as ScratchJr, Scratch, Micro:bit, Turtle and CodeMonkey platform. They were also oriented on the ICT curriculum framework and ICT literacy skills such as online typing tutor and Canva designing tool. The participating schools were also provided with laptops and micro:bit devices to initiate coding club and teach the ICT subject to promote coding and digital skills in their respective schools. 

Date: 26-28 Feb 2024

Venue: Online  (Zoom)

Trainers: Korean  Lead Teachers, Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education

An online training on Hamsterbot coding was conducted by MoESD in collaboration with Korean LEAD teachers under the KLIC program to equip Bhutanese teachers with coding skills on Hamsterbot - a mini robot that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Hamsterbot is designed specifically for educational purposes, aimed at engaging students in hands-on programming activities. The training was conducted via the Zoom platform for about 25 ICT teachers from different schools across Bhutan. 

Date: 25-29 March 2024

Venue: Online  (Zoom)

Trainer: Shin Seung Jin, Korean Lead Teacher, Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education

MoESD, in collaboration with a Korean LEAD teacher under the KLIC program, organised an online training on KSTEAM Arduino coding, which is another significant step in equipping Bhutanese educators with versatile skills in electronics and programming. This training aimed to equip teachers from across the country with the proficiency to use Arduino, a widely acclaimed open-source electronics platform, to foster innovation and learning in the classroom. 

Date: 6 April 2024

Venue: Loselling MSS

The "Hamster Bot Coding Exhibition" on April 6, 2024, at Loselling MSS in Thimphu Thromde, organized by MOESD and KLIC, aimed to enhance coding skills and foster a passion for STEM among students. Over 60 students and 14 teachers participated, showcasing projects like line tracing, pattern drawing, and maze games. The event included presentations, project showcases, and competitive games, integrating coding with various subjects. Plans include expanding the program to more schools and increasing participation.

Date: 25-26 & 29-30 April 2024

Venue: Kamji CS & Peljorling HSS 

Trainers:  Kezang Dorji, Kinley Deki, Tshewang Dema & Megan Rai

In collaboration with the Teacher Development Division, Department of School Education, a two-day face-to-face teacher orientation workshop on the ICT curriculum has been conducted for ICT teachers of Schools with low performance in BCSEA 2023. As for the southern region, the orientation program was conducted at two different centres. For the teachers from Chhukha and Paro Dzongkhags, it was conducted at Kamji Central School from 25-26 April. Meanwhile, teachers from Samtse Dzongkhag participated in the workshop held at Peljorling Higher Secondary School from 29-30 April. The orientation informed ICT teachers on the competencies, pedagogies and assessment in the ICT curriculum besides using ICT tools to enhance teaching and learning.

Date: 25-26 & 29-30 April 2024

Venue: Trashiyangtse PS & Samdrup Jongkhar PS

Trainers:  Thinley Namgay, Sonam Wangdi, Kelzang Lethro, & Pema Lhadon

The Ministry of Education's Teacher Development Division and Department of School Education held a two-day ICT curriculum workshop for teachers in Bhutan's eastern region whose schools scored low in the 2023 BCSEA. The workshop aimed to improve how teachers integrate technology into lessons by providing training on curriculum, resources, and teaching methods. Through discussions and activities, educators gained the skills and knowledge to prepare students for the digital age.

Date: 25-26 & 29-30 April 2024

Venue: Taktse CS & Damphu MSS

Trainers: Dorji Samdrup, Som Nath Neopaney, Kezang Tashi & Gesar Gurung

A two-day ICT curriculum workshop for teachers in low-performing schools (based on 2023 BCSEA results) of the central region was held at Taktse Central School and Damphu Middle Secondary School, which aimed to equip teachers with the latest curriculum knowledge, including competencies, teaching methods, and assessment strategies for ICT. With Google Classroom used for pre-workshop materials and during the event, the focus was on integrating technology into lessons and exploring a blended learning approach.  The workshop also served to gather insights from educators on successful practices and challenges in implementing the ICT curriculum, with the goal of improving student performance in future exams.

Date: 18-27 May 2024

Venue: Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea

23 ICT teachers and 1 MoESD officials attended a week-long training under the KLIC project.  The comprehensive training activities are aimed at enhancing AI and ICT skills among Bhutanese educators. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions on AI, digital tools, coding, and e-learning practices. The program also included cultural exchanges, showcasing Korea's educational and technological advancements. 

Date: 3-8 June 2024

Venue: Seoul City, South Korea

The Korean e-Learning Improvement Cooperation (KLIC) LEADer Training Course, conducted from June 3-8, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea. The training was organized by the Institute of APEC Collaborative Education (IACE), which focused on fostering Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to drive digital transformation in education. A total of 10 officials from Bhutan participated in the program along with more than 30 officials from other 5 nations. Participants engaged in a variety of activities, including field trips, special lectures, and collaborative workshops.

Date: 5-7 August 2024

Venue: Loselling MSS, Thimphu

As part of the annual KLIC training, the Korean team from Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education and APEC institute provided an onsite training program for Bhutanese teachers at Loselling Middle Secondary School, Thimphu to share knowledge and skills in emerging technologies and best practices in teaching and learning.