Tech Age Teachers
The Tech Age Teachers project offers computer and Internet technology trainings to local teachers in Kazakhstan.
Through a multi-year partnership with Tengizchevroil, the program builds the technology capacity of every secondary school in the greater Atyrau area. It is modeled after the successful Tech Age Teens predecessor program.
Goals
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.
Background
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
Project Activities
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
Contact
Brendan Bell, Program Director - bbell@irex.org
Gulnara Zulkarova, Program Manager - gzulkarova@irex.org
Project Facts
• 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
News & Impact
People
Program Director
