Teacher Training Never Ceases as ORT Argentina Rolls Out Upgraded Programs
Thursday, August 2, 2012

ORT Argentina Continues to Lead the Way in Technological Innovation

ORT Argentina may be closed for winter vacation, but 150 teachers are still in class at ORT Argentina’s Teaching and Learning Resources Centre learning how to use the new technology that they will introduce into their classes after the break.

The training is in preparation for the extension of the school’s one-netbook-per-student program to Year 3 classes, the next step in turning over all ORT Argentina’s 5,500 students and 800 teachers to what has been named the Pedagogical Model 2.0.

The goal is to have students develop e-competencies such as critical and inventive thinking, information and communication skills, and problem-solving skills. Teachers develop their own virtual educational material, which is published on ORT Argentina’s Virtual Campus so that students (and their parents) can access the material both at school and home as well as from abroad.

Each class has its own on-line social space for students to discuss what they are learning and to share material with each other and their teachers. Lessons and homework schedules are also accessible, making it easier for students to plan ahead and for parents to be aware of what their children need to accomplish. 

Last year, the Pedagogical Model 2.0 won ORT Argentina the Hewlett Packard Edu-Innovator People’s Choice Award at the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) world conference in Philadelphia.  HP has backed up the award by equipping five laboratories and two classrooms and donating dozens of Netbooks and Notebooks with touch screens. ORT Argentina is a member of the Pedagogy 3.0 consortium of HP’s Catalyst Initiative, which brings together educators and institutions to develop innovative STEM curricula.

ORT National Executive Director Alan E. Klugman said, "Whenever I visit our schools in Buenos Aires, I am so impressed by the sophisticated technologies employed in classrooms.  ORT Argentina's accomplishments are a source of pride to our donors and reinforces their support."