Doha • Qatar-based NGO Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) yesterday announced the successful conclusion of its teacher training workshop.

The programme, organised between March 20 and 22, was the first step towards the establishment of International Education and Resource Network initiative in Qatar (iEARN-Qatar).

It is the world's largest non-profit global network that enables young people to engage in collaborative educational projects across the globe using internet and other new technologies.

The programme, established in 1988, among schools in the United States and the then Soviet Union, is now active in more than 20,000 schools and youth organizations in 118 countries.

iEARN-Qatar aims to provide opportunities for students and teachers in the country to work with over 120 iEARN communities around the world. The programme is part of Connect ROTAsia Knowledge Network initiative, focused on creating an online community of educators and

students.

As part of the training, 17 teachers were introduced to the iEARN concept and tools. The training focused on introducing iEARN basics on engaging in collaborative projects and utilizing online discussion forums and sample iEARN projects.

The teachers were able to acquire the skills on employing technology for educational purposes in the short-term through the workshop. ROTA is providing teachers the support they need to develop as professionals and adopt reflective practices to develop further as teachers.

"The launch of iEARN-Qatar will facilitate online and face-to-face connections between schools in Qatar and the 120-plus countries of iEARN International including ROTA's focal countries in Asia.

It will also play a pivotal role in facilitating intercultural exchange, besides bringing teachers and students together on an international K-12 community and best practices platform," said Cherie Clark-Moore, Head of Connect ROTAsia.