Technology in Schools

The subject of "Technology" was a popular subject in Kosovo primary schools, offering students the opportunity to take part in practical activities. However, in recent years teachers do not have practical equipment and students simply learn from textbooks. Fadil Krasniqi, a young technology teacher from "Iliria" primary school in Pristina is one of many technology teachers in Kosovo who struggle to provide quality education, always seeking for new approaches.

From March 17th to 19th, a three-day technology workshop was organized by USAID's Basic Education Program with the aim of developing teachers' awareness and understanding of a "Design Challenge" approach to teaching technology.

Teachers from schools across Kosovo attended the workshop which gave them the opportunity to explore practical based activities that support learning from the curriculum and help to develop the key skills for successful learners. The teachers were engaged in solving a challenge in a practical way, constructing with recycled materials, wood and electrical components.

You could see the enthusiasm in Fadil's eyes as he described how "this workshop has opened a whole pool of new ideas for me and my students ... affordable ones."

By the end of the workshop teachers had explored several practical approaches including the use of paper engineered cranks and levers, programmable logical controllers, a Robotic arm, Lego Robots, and explored a range of web based resources and free downloads.

Teachers were encouraged to plan a practical activity with their students and to identify other opportunities from the text books. USAID's Basic Education Program will then support them with equipment and materials.