Discussions

Your Name and Title: Dr. Shonfeld, Miri, School or Organization Name:

School or Organization Name: TEC, Mofet Institute

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Zidan, W., Adika, E., Dr. Cohen, L. Rozner, E., Dr. Kritz, M., Nagar, I.,  

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Middle East

Language in Which You Will Present: English, Hebrew, Arabic

Target Audience(s): Educators

Short Session Description (one line):

Bridging the Gap between Cultures in Conflict through Information and Communication Technology

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

The TECCenter

The TEC Center develops and implements a collaborative learning model based on advanced technologiesfor teachers, pre-service teachers and pupils from different ethnic groups and religions, yielding constructive dialogue and cooperation between diversified groups, and eventually - tolerance and mutual respect.

The Model

The collaborative learning model of advanced internet technologies is implemented within small teams from diverse cultures by the educators of the participating groups, progressing gradually from on-line communication (written, oral, video) to face-to-face interaction.

Through collaboration in joint assignments over a period of one year, team members get to know each other, develop mutual respect, eliminate stigmas and reduce mutual prejudices. The in-service educators then implement the program in public schools, and thus serve as major agents of social change, having influence on generations of students.  

Main Objectives of the Center

• To develop innovative educational models that bridge among cultures, using and applying advanced technologies;
• To train teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds to use the internet and other advanced communication technologies as teaching tools, while getting acquainted through collaborative small group learning;
• To develop on-line teaching units that encourage acceptance of those who are "different", as part of the curriculum of teacher education colleges and schools;
• To create an inter-cultural online community, comprised of the teaching staff of teaching colleges and schools;
• To generate ties among teachers, pre-service teachers and students from different cultures;
• To stimulate cooperative multicultural ventures among educational institutions and non-profit organizations, as well as with the Ministry of Education, in Israel and in other countries facing multi-cultural challenges.

Research has shown that the TEC Model yields outstanding results, and its impact has received noteworthy recognition in international conferences. Its academic papers are regularly published and cited in both scholarly and popular journals. In this session we will discuss the Model and suggest ways to adapt it in other places in the world.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

http://tec.macam.ac.il/