ITEP partners with University of Cambridge International Examinations to launch iTeach, an IT training programme for teachers

The first training programme of its kind in the region, iTeach will assist teachers to become more aware of how ICT tools can improve learner performance across all subjects. This includes using various software to prepare for classes, search for information, communicate with students and parents. In addition, teachers who undergo training under the programme will help enhance ICT skills among students by integrating technology into everyday classwork.

ITEP has exclusive rights for this unique course in the UAE and first refusal in the GCC.

Teachers successfully completing training in the iTeach programme will be awarded the Cambridge International Diploma in teaching with ICT (DTWICT). The programme is essentially aimed at teachers who have a basic understanding of Microsoft Office programmes but wish to learn how to turn their knowledge into an effective teaching tool.

"Many teachers are already undergoing training from ITEP for obtaining the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), which gives them a basic knowledge of IT. The Cambridge iTeach programme represents the next stage of our IT literacy programme and trains teachers to use their IT skills to be more effective in the classroom," said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director of ITEP. "Teachers play a very valuable role in our society, so when it came to providing an IT training programme we partnered with Cambridge, the best in the world in this field. We chose Cambridge as a training partner because the iTeach programme is not just an investment in teachers but in their students also."

The course, available to both government and private school teachers, is split into three modules. The first, 'Planning' involves structuring ICT resources into classes to support teaching and learning, the second 'Managing' will train teachers on how to use ICT in the classroom for improved teaching. The final module, 'Evaluating' will train teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of their ICT-assisted lessons and distinguish between effective and non-effective uses of IT in the classroom.

The nine week part-time course will be taught with a mix of face-to-face teaching, online instruction and take-home activities. Courses will run from May 2005.

The iTeach programme is part of ITEP's ongoing objective to enhance IT literacy in the region. "ITEP aspires to foster educational reform in the region by promoting e-Learning. ITEP will offer its services to enhance IT awareness and learning among students, teachers, administrators, parents and the rest of the community to create and IT literate society which is essential to the adoption of e-Learning in the region," said Christine Cayley, CIE Director of Public Examinations. "The highly-regarded Cambridge International Diploma in Teaching with ICT will be a valuable addition to education in the UAE and beyond."