Interactive technology makes learning fun for Abu Dhabi pupils

Epson projectors can transform any flat surface into an interactive workspace where the tap of a fingertip or felt-tip pen works the same way as the click of a mouse.

Al Ittihad National Private School is developing “smart classrooms” by equipping them with Epson projectors to use, rather than traditional chalkboards or whiteboards. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // Years ago, children would be rewarded with a gold star sticker for their academic achievement. These days, however, even the old pat on the back has gone digital.

Take a typical elementary class at Al Ittihad National Private School, for example. A boy is called to the front of the class to solve a maths problem. The question on the whiteboard reads: “How do you make a 6?”

When the student taps his finger on the correct answer (13 minus 7), the board flashes the words “Good job! You earned two points and the chance for a free penalty kick for another ­bonus point”.

The board shows a scene from a football video game, prompting the boy to frantically tap to shoot a ball past a goalkeeper into the net on the board. The class of boys erupts in cheers as the pupil scores. How about that for positive reinforcement?

“It’s a really fun way for children to be able to practise their skills,” said Nicole Louw, a Grade 3 teacher at the Khalifa City school. “Increased interest equals increased learning.”

This academic year, the American-curriculum school installed interactive projectors in each classroom from kindergarten to Grade 12 to promote “smart” learning.

The Epson projector can transform any flat surface into an interactive workspace where the tap of a fingertip or felt-tip pen works the same way as the click of a mouse. The idea is not so much to digitise existing texts or project static images on to a board, than it is to enhance traditional textbook teaching with technology that engages pupils in new ways of learning.

The school also adopted an iPad programme that requires all pupils in certain classes to own an iPad for classroom learning. Since the new projectors can mirror the screen from any of the students’ iPads, there are many opportunities for collaborative learning, teachers say.

Kindergarten teacher Saira Elahi uses an app on the iPad to question her pupils on concepts they have learnt that week. When the quiz is announced, the class buzzes with excitement. A video game-like melody plays over the projector’s sound system as the five-year-olds and six-year-olds log into their Kahoot app.

“OK, are you ready?” Ms Elahi asks the class. “Yeah!” they shout enthusiastically. The first of six questions pops up on the screen at the front of the class. The music broadcast over the class takes on a game show-like tempo as the pupils select the answer on their iPads. At the end of 20 seconds the sound of a gong signals that time is up.

Immediately, the results are shown on the screen and the 12 pupils who answered correctly shout with pride. A scoreboard shows a list of the pupils’ names and the points they have accumulated.

“It’s a great way to close out the chapter’s assessment and just make sure they understand the subjects, what we learnt for the week, for the month,” Ms Elahi said. “It’s a lot of fun for the children. It’s basically like learning and gaming at the same time. So everybody wins.”

The trick is to ensure that fun is balanced with meaningful learning, said Hanan Hasan, the school’s head of technology and development.

“At the end of the day, we need to reach our objectives,” she said. “We don’t want the teachers and students to play with technology and forget about the learning process.”