Teach Middle East Magazine Jan-Feb 2016 Issue 3 Volume 3 | Page 6

EDITOR’S MESSAGE... Teach UAE Magazine® EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Carolyn Lee [email protected] ART DIRECTOR A.T.Pandian [email protected] +971 50 508 1431 CONNECT. DEVELOP. EMPOWER. “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” - Bill Gates Educators, welcome back from the winter break. We trust that you thoroughly enjoyed your time off. 2016 is here and we are rearing to go. This will be a very exciting year in education. We hope you will stick with us, and enjoy the ride. Welcome to our January-February 2016 issue, which focuses on technology in the classroom. Today, a lot of emphasis is being placed on the use of technology in lessons. However, we know that it is not all about the technology. It is also about sharing knowledge and information, communicating efficiently, building learning communities and creating a culture of professionalism in schools. These are our key responsibilities as educators. Technology is an important tool that we can use to achieve this. In this issue, our Featured Teacher and ICT specialist, Lisa Finch of the Dubai English Speaking College tells us why it is important to integrate the use of technology in lessons. We look at the power of collaboration in the ICT classroom and how we can tame Twitter for the benefit of students’ learning. We also come to the aide of our colleagues who may be overwhelmed by the use of technology. Additionally, we bring you part two of our articles on drones. If all this talk of technology makes you feel like you would like to take a break, then head over to After the Bell and read about how you can take it slowly in picturesque Zanzibar. Don’t book that flight just yet, first read about how to live frugally in the Middle East. You may find some useful tips on how to pay for that holiday without incurring debt. 4 | Jan - Feb 2016 | | HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, declared 2016 the Year of Reading (#YearOfReading), in order to create a new generation of readers and strengthen the country's position as the capital for culture and knowledge. This is very exciting news for us because we know that the love of reading begins first at home and continues at school. Check out www.teachuae.com for some exciting articles with tips aimed at assisting you in developing a love for reading in your students. We are excited to announce the publication of our second magazine supplement, Education Choices UAE, in April 2016. Education Choices UAE is geared at helping parents find the right school for their children. The supplement will feature information on all the major curricula being offered in the UAE. Schools are invited to showcase their institution to parents. Education Choices will be distributed across the UAE with The National Newspaper. Contact Grace: [email protected] for more information. In closing, yes, students love technology. They also love stickers, scented markers, handstands, books and sand pits. It’s all about balance and the joy of learning. Let’s make learning fun in 2016 and beyond! ____________________ CAROLYN LEE Editorial Director Class Time SALES MANAGER Grace Wilson [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Aaron Crotty, Maryann Reid, Aisha Shakti Hakim, Carolyn Lee, Leisa Simapili, Betina Feuntes, Melissa Monney, Rahima Jabeen, Chassie Selouane, PreSha Barnes, Dr Thomas Gamboa Jr., Dr Jan L. Jones, Mostafa Hassan PUBLISHED BY Moftah Publishing FZ LLC (Registered at Fujairah Creative City) ADVERTISING [email protected] WEBSITE www.teachuae.com www.facebook.com/TeachUAEMagazine Copyright 2016 Moftah Publishing FZ LLC. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Moftah Publishing FZ LLC. Where opinion is expressed, it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publish \