More than 1,300 delegates convened in the Middle East for the fourth annual Teacher Skills Forum to hear international education experts discuss key trends under the theme of Growth beyond Grades.
The conference hosted in early March 2018 in Jordan by the Queen Rania Teacher Academy in partnership with the International Baccalaureate was an opportunity for educators to explore practical solutions to current and future challenges in education.
“The Teacher Skills Forum enables educators to open their minds to different methods of improving the quality of learning”
Over the two day conference, speakers and delegates shared innovative techniques to help students internalise the learning that takes place in the classroom as well as helping them to reflect on the individual growth they have experienced as a result of their learning journey.
The theme encouraged educators to review existing practices and to consider which of these are most likely to equip students with 21st-century skills.
The Forum, which aims to inspire teachers in the Arab world, provided an opportunity for educators to explore and share experiences with experts from educational bodies such as the University of Connecticut, University of Bath, UCL Institute of Education, Harvard and the British Council.
Commenting on the event, president of the Middle East IB Association Hana Malhas said “the Teacher Skills Forum enables educators to open their minds to different methods of improving the quality of learning” while bringing internationalism to the forefront of the conversation.
“The theme is of high relevance to our current educational sphere; it is what will transform education to focus on the quality of education, global thinking and international understanding, rather than depending on standardised testing and grading to determine students’ futures, who will eventually become part of society,” she added.
Chief executive of Queen Rania Teacher Academy Haif Bannayan added that the Forum wouldn’t be in the Arab world if it wasn’t for the collaboration and support of the IB.
“We are so proud of our strategic and impactful partnership with the IB,” he said.
