What will benefit Aga Khan school? Ideas about the future project.

The Aga Khan School in Osh, Kyrgyz Republic, opened the door in September 2002. The building built to withstand powerful earthquakes. The design itself reflects local and Central Asian architectural themes and is destined to become a landmark construction for this area. The building has 20 regular classrooms and 10 special purpose ones including:
• home economic and technology workshops; art and music room;
• science labs for physics, chemistry and biology;
• a computer lab with 25 computers;
• a Learning resource centre or LRC with two floors of its own;
• a cafeteria capable of seating 200 persons;
• a gymnasium with International standard courts for basketball and volleyball.
A modern network links all the computers in the school and, as a result, staff, students and administration can access curriculum information, the Internet and the library catalogue from their respective work stations.
The school offers all the courses required by the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, some of which are enriched with components of curricula from other jurisdictions in Central Asia and North America. Essentially, this curriculum focuses on making each student an independent, life-long learner who will graduate from the school with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to proceed successfully to post-secondary education in Central Asia and farther afield. At school there are three medium instructions: Russian, English, and German.
The majority of the teaching staff has a minimum 5 year’s classroom experience in their own subject. The principal and the teachers were recruited following and in-depth process. Teachers were selected based on the criteria:
• Competence and experience in their subject area;
• Understanding of modern teaching methods;
• Commitment to student-centered teaching;
• Openness to change.
During the school year, teachers participate in professional development activities organized by trainers of professional development. Teacher evaluations take place throughout the school year and staff contract renewals are based upon successful evaluations.
Students are recruited from local schools throughout the city of Osh. Recruitment is open to all and based solely on merit. Entrance exams are based on competencies in Russian language and literature, Math, and general knowledge. Also the test assesses each student’s level of proficiency in English and Kyrgyz.
Different projects were realized for students, teachers, and community by professional development trainers. One of the project will be planned throughout the online course “Web skills design” for the implementation at AKS.
Who are the learners?
The class of 9- grade biology students with 16 students, 4 girls and 12 boys enrolled in English medium instruction. I taught this class during one academic year and they have learned zoology. Their ages are 13-14 years old. Their native language is Kyrgyz, their second language is Russian, and English is a “third” one. Al of them are from well-income families. Girls and boys always argue with each other and there is dis-balance in gender. In terms of language, they have better speaking, than reading and writing skills. They have difficulties in writing essay and keeping notes. Students prefer to use computer for studying than textbook, and they want to search sites by Internet rather write essays. Many students do not have enough knowledge in e-mail conversation, blogging, creating PPT, writing essays.
What is the setting?
We often study at computer lab with 27 computers in connection. There is an Internet access. In the room we have a white board, and one projector.
Another room contains tables and chairs to work in different arrangements of the room. We can easily organize the work individually, in pair, and in a group. The table is not heavy to move them. In the class we have a white board and place for posters.
The third place at school where I can provide lesson is Learning Resource centre. We have there literature on English for science and students can make a research at the lesson and after. There are 5 computers with access to Internet. We have there TV set for watching video , DVD, and science programs on English.
What are the course goals?
• Reconsider science syllabus for 9-grade students;
• To develop student knowledge and skills in science;
• To introduce knew knowledge about human anatomy;
• Discuss the issues of structure and functions of the body systems, and health issues.
• Develop student proficiency in English;
• Develop student competency to work with computer through different programs (Microsoft Word, Power Point Presentations, Internet)
• Team building in the class
II. Issue or problem to be addressed that technology can help with
I would like to present “human biology” for students by effective use of visual aids (maps, atlases, PPT, video clips and etc.), lectures (through advanced notes, worksheets,), and science experiments (through PPT, video cassettes,). Students have difficulties in working in a team, so I believe that technology can help me to build a good team of classmates. Another issue is that students have problems in writing comments to each other and writing essays. At the same time, I would like to pay attention to learning English through science and so, I want to improve student skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Another project that I would like to implement is “Toastmaster club”. The main goal is to teach students how to present information. Moreover, when they prepare for presentations, they have to read information, search, write it themselves as an own speech, and listen others when they present their speeches. I have participated in Toastmaster club in USA and won the first place at MSU club, the second place in area and region. At the same time, I practiced there my responsibility as a Vice President of the club at MSU. Thus, I have an experience and wish to implement this project with the students and (probably teachers) from different schools, I think 13 schools. For the club I have to have a computer for PPT presentations, audio cassettes, computers with access to the Internet, and the classroom where I can organize such activity.
The main problem is that students do not have well-developed presentation skills. In order to develop them, we have typo practice all other skills.
The language in the club would be English. It will allow students to improve their English language skills.
Dear Web-mates, what do you think about the ideas for my future project? Thank you ahead for the comments! Natalia