2014-2015 | Page 129

WORLDWIDE CAMBRIDGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School puts great emphasis on professional development programs for its teachers. Within this framework, our teachers are given consistent opportunities for professional development programs. Mr. Akın Metli, High School Principal, and Okan Önder, IGCSE Coordinator, attended annual Cambridge Schools Conferences in Sri Lanka and Cambridge respectively. Both conferences had the theme “Inspiring teaching, inspiring learning: How we prepare learners for a lifetime of learning”. At these influential events, a community of teachers representing schools from many countries and contexts had the chance to share their experience on education. BELS IGCSE subject teachers had also opportunity to hold online seminars (webinars) with the examiners of different subject areas, which increased the awareness for assessment and course materials implementation. During the webinars, our teachers asked crucial assessment questions to the Cambridge examiners and made certain that how our students are measured accurately on subject specific examinations. through the Cambridge IGCSE program. There was also a panel program where teachers discussed the theme of “IGCSE: A Path to International Mindedness”. Our school has been invited to the 2nd IGCSE Day at TED Schools, which will be held on June 13, 2015. BELS teachers will have the chance to participate and share their experience in IGCSE program with colleagues from schools in Turkey. HOW DOES BİLKENT ERZURUM LABORATORY SCHOOL CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS? FIRST IGCSE DAY IN TURKEY Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School participated in the TED Ankara Foundation Schools 1st IGCSE Day in June 2014 with a huge group of teachers. Our teachers presented in IGCSE subject areas such as Turkish, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. During the conference and workshops, prestigious schools from all over Turkey had the chance to discuss the ways of improving education in their schools Cambridge IGCSE Is Aiming to Prepare Students for the World of Future Employment In a survey by the national association of colleges and employers (NACE), managers were asked what skills they prioritize when hiring graduates. The responses showed the top 10 skills, in order of importance, were: 1. Ability to work in a team 2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems 3. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work 4. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization 5. Ability to obtain and process information 6. Ability to analyze quantitative data 7. Technical knowledge related to the job 8. Proficiency with computer software programs 9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports 10. Ability to sell to and influence others THE CLAPPER 2014 - 2015 129 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS