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Improving Science and Mathematics Education Project
Introduction:
Science, technology and
mathematics have demonstrated their potential impacts on
society and constantly contributed to improve the
quality of our life as we know and enjoy it today. It is
not surprising, therefore, to observe that these
subjects occupy a significant place in the K-12
curriculum worldwide. The teaching and learning of
science and mathematics have also received considerable
attention from the political and educational leaderships
in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counties. The
political and educational leaderships of these countries
recognize and acknowledge the need for improved science
and mathematics education to enhance future economy and
ensure effective participation of the youth in social
and economic arenas.
Over the
years, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States
(ABEGS), the educational arm of the Gulf Cooperation
Council, has proposed and coordinated many programs that
aim at improving science and mathematics education in
the region. These programs covered various aspects of
science and math education, including curriculum
development, assessment, and teacher education.
Recently
during their 23rd meeting, conducted in Doha,
the educational leaderships in the ABEGS member states
adopted an important resolution to improve science and
mathematics education in which the Bureau is to finalize
the project and coordinate the efforts.
Main Goals and Outcomes:
The
purpose of this project is in twofold: first, to
translate high quality science and mathematics
international curriculum materials and adapt them to the
local environment in the participating countries and,
second, to provide extensive training for science and
mathematics teachers as well as ministry specialists.
More specifically, the expected outcomes of this
ambitious project include:
1-
Core educational materials:
Student’s textbook
Student’s activity book
Teacher’s
resource book or manual
2-
Supplementary educational materials:
Teacher’s resource kit
Assessment manual
Educational videos and CDs
Transparencies, posters, and learning cards
Internet links (Web Site
3-
Extensive teacher training program
aims to facilitate the
implementation
of the new materials and improve classroom practices.
4- Training program specifically designed for
ministry
specialists and
personnel and focuses on curriculum
development and material production
and design.
Partners:
To achieve
its goals the project is governed by collaboration and
team-work spirit among the various interested and
concerned partners; these are:
Ministries of
education in the countries involved
(currently Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kingdom
of Bahrain). Ministry specialists from various field of
education, including curriculum, assessment and
evaluation, technology, etc., will be involved in the
various phases of designing and developing the
materials.
The Arab Bureau of
Education for the Gulf States
(ABEGS). The Bureau directed and coordinated the initial
efforts that led to the actual realization of this
project, and is expected to continue its support and
leadership role in this project in coordination with the
members.
Obeikan Investment
Group.
The Obeikan Group will call upon its wide expertise and
rich resources in publishing, printing, design and
e-learning to facilitate the accomplishment of the
project and to ensure top quality products, all this in
accordance with the company’s quality assurance and
customer beyond satisfaction policy.
Foreign International
Publisher
that will provide the necessary expertise and materials.
Project Phases and Timeline:
Commencing
the year 2005-2006, the project is expected to be
accomplished within 8 years. The project consists of
four phases and the timeline for implementing the
developed materials is as follows:
Grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 during 2006-2007 academic year
Grades 2, 5, 8 and 11 during 2007-2008 academic year
Grades 3, 6, 9 and 12 during 2009-2009 academic year
Phase
I: Developing Curriculum Framework: Scope and Sequence
Series selection
Translating Scope and Sequence
Submitting scope and sequence
Approval of scope and sequence
Phase
II: Developing Educational Materials for Grades 1, 4, 7,
and 10
Translating
educational materials
Adaptation/ Localization
-
Organizing content according to the scope and
sequence
-
Rewriting inappropriate content
-
Suggesting alternative photos and pictures
providing the required pictures and photos
Specifying point size and type of text according to
the grade/educational
levels
Preparing templates for all pages (texts and
pictures)
Printing a trial copy
Review and proof reed the materials
Approval of the materials
Printing the final products
Distributions and submission of educational
materials
Teacher training
Phase III: Developing Educational
Materials for Grades 2, 5, 8, and 11
Translating educational materials
Adaptation/ Localization
-
Organizing content according to the scope and
sequence
-
Rewriting inappropriate content
-
Suggesting alternative photos and pictures
providing the required pictures and photos
Specifying point size and type of text according to
the
grade/educational levels
Preparing templates for all pages (texts and
pictures)
Printing a trial copy
Review and proof reed the materials
Approval of the materials
Printing the final products
Distributions and submission of educational
materials
Teacher training
Phase IV: Developing Educational
Materials for Grades 3, 6, 9, and 12
Translating
educational materials
Adaptation/ Localization
-
Organizing content according to the scope and
sequence
-
Rewriting inappropriate content
-
Suggesting alternative photos and pictures
providing the required pictures and photos
Specifying point size and type of text according to
the
grade/educational levels
Preparing templates for all pages (texts and
pictures)
Printing a trial copy
Review and proof reed the materials
Approval of the materials
Printing the final products
Distributions and submission of educational
materials
Teacher training
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