The Tech Age Teachers project offers computer and Internet technology trainings to local teachers in Kazakhstan.
Through a multi-year partnership with Tengizchevroil [5], the program builds the technology capacity of every secondary school in the greater Atyrau area. It is modeled after the successful Tech Age Teens [6] predecessor program.
The program has four main objectives:
• Make the Internet a relevant part of teacher and youth education in schools and libraries
• Give teachers and youth new skills that are invaluable in a developing economy and increase their future employment prospects
• Develop teachers' leadership skills, community needs awareness, and intellectual creativity and encourage their community engagement
• Preserve cultural heritage and advance Kazakh-language online content for and about the Atyrau region.
Funding for the program is made possible by Tengizchevroil's Community Investment Program to:
• Add value to the business and community in an ethically and socially responsible way
• Build human, societal and organizational capacity to sustain a thriving local economy and society without dependence on Tengizchevroil.
Project Partners
Tengizchevroil LLP: Provides financial support through their Community Investment Program
Regional and City Departments of Education: Provide program support through memoranda of understanding, and encouraging individual school directors to allow the program to operate on school premises
Slanov Regional Library: Provides office space for program activities and access to public computer labs for program trainings and events
Participants receive structured lessons on topics including:
• Computer Basics
• Microsoft Office Suite
• E-mail, Internet and web publishing
• Audio, video and photo editing
• Research and lesson plan development
Customized Technical Support. IREX specialists assist schools by:
• Connecting schools to the Internet
• Configuring local networks
• Repairing broken computers and equipment
• 617 teachers trained in computer and technology classes
• 35 schools received program support
• 508 computers connected to the Internet
• Participants created 160 websites and 320 blogs, the majority in the Kazakh language
Brendan Bell, Program Director - bbell@irex.org [7]
Gulnara Zulkarova, Program Manager - gzulkarova@irex.org [8]