ictQatar, CNA-Q honor winners in Digital Star competition

26 participating teams actually attended the ceremony in addition to a number of teachers, parents and school principals. Competing teams presented their digital projects on how ICT can be used to improve the learning process. ictQatar and CNAQ announced the 'Digital Star' competition during 'ICT in Education 2009' conference held last March and attended by more than 500 teachers.

Students presented their projects to a panel of judges from the Supreme Education Council, ictQatar and CNAQ who evaluated the projects according to a set of criteria including demonstration of collaborative learning; creativity and innovative approach; relevance of the project to the competition theme; uniqueness of the project; and overall quality of the project.

Awards were given to the top entries in three grade groups - Primary, Preparatory and Secondary stages. The students worked in small groups with the assistance of a teacher. Prizes were ipod touch 32GB for first grade, ipod touch 16GB for second grade, ipod nano 8GB for third grade and a digital camera for the team coach.

The wining schools are:

Elementary Stage:

- First grade: Khadija Independent School for Girls
- Second Grade: Qatar Academy
- Third Grade: Shahaneya Primary Independent School for Boys

Preparatory Stage:

- First grade: Al-Wakra Independent School for Girls
- Second Grade: Ruqaya Independent School for Girls
- Third Grade: Abdulrahman bin Jassim Independent School for Boys

Elementary Stage:

- First grade: Al-Bayan Secondary Independent School for Girls
- Second Grade: Qatar Academy
- Third Grade: Doha Indian Modern Secondary School for Boys

Dr. Ghadah Fakieh, e-Education Manager at ictQatar, said:

"The goal of the competition is encourage students to develop projects that promote the use of ICT in education and develop skills like advanced planning, project development and presentation, problem solving and critical thinking."

Students revealed eagerness and enthusiasm to develop their skills and use technology in the class room. Some school principals stated they intend to implement the projects developed by their teams at their schools with the aim of improving the learning experience.