Assessment workshop on the knowledge of map reading and using

Open Development Cambodia (ODC) and the Department of Information Technology (DIT) of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) have successfully conducted an Assessment Workshop on the Knowledge of Map Reading and Using among high school teachers on the 04^th to 05^th of March, 2019 in Siem Reap province.

Opening ceremony of the Assessment Workshop on the Knowledge of Map Reading and Using

The assessment workshop, where 24 school principals and teachers from six high schools across Cambodia were invited, was conducted as part of our project ‘Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Map in Education’ with the collaboration with DIT under financial support from USAID through East-West Management Institute (EWMI). The purpose of the workshop is to understand more deeply the teachers’ knowledge and experience in map using and reading. More importantly, it is to learn how map and ICT is related to and embedded in teaching and learning at their high schools so that the project’s technical working group can effectively study and develop the proceeding steps of the project.

Teachers answering survey questionnaire led by ODC’s technical consultant, Mr. Vameourn Nimol (first from the left).

Teachers participating in group discussion and listening to their peers’ presentations.

In the workshop, the teachers; representatives from ODC and DIT energetically participated in a series of activities including questionnaire answering, group discussions and presentations of their discussion. The said questionnaire focused on the use of map in their high schools and the assessment of their experience and knowledge in earth science and geography. The discussions and presentations, which dominated a large part of the workshop, concerned challenges in teaching and studying Information Technology (IT), Geography and Earth Science, integrating ICT into teaching, using map in teaching and study and, last but not least, developing teaching materials for map reading and ICT lessons. 

Mr. Yeung Lim Srey, geography teacher at Preach Reach Bochaney Kech high School in Steung Treng province, presenting the results of his group’s discussion on the challenges in teaching and studying geography.

Mrs. Ly Sophorn, geography teachers at Sisowath high school in Phnom Penh city said it was her first time participating in the workshop which focuses on ICT and map, and that she was glad to be able to share the challenges in her teaching. She shared that she has always been trying to use maps, physical ones, in her teaching although such teaching materials are not always sufficiently provided at her school.

Likewise, Mrs. Chhoun Phalla Navy, geography teacher at Peam Chikorng high school in Kampong Cham province has also attended a workshop for the first time, and she stated that she has understood more clearly about the use of technology and about the roles and importance of it in her teaching.

Mrs. Kong Socheata, IT teacher at Peam Chikorng high school in Kampong Cham province, presenting the results of her group’s discussion on the challenges in teaching and studying IT.

The active participation from the teachers have yielded results useful for our technical consultant to start developing curriculum for future trainings of trainers on map reading and using with even more teachers from more high schools. We have learnt their perception of the importance of ICT and map in education, their challenges when trying to integrate ICT into their teaching and, more importantly, the level at which they understand map reading and using in general.   

Mr. Vong Tong, IT teacher at Net Yang high school in Battambang province, said he think the ability to use map is crucial for students because they will at least need to navigate their way around when they are away from home. He is also committed to participating in and teaching map reading to his students if ODC is to provide further trainings.

Group photo of DIT and ODC representatives, and all the participants.

It is important to note that ODC and MoEYS have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to carry out the project ‘Using ICT and Map in Education’ which aims to enhance teachers’ capacity in map reading and using through trainings by ODC’s technical consultant. The project will also promote and improve the use of ICT in schools for administrative management, research, teaching and study of teachers, students and the public. This assessment workshop is the first key step to carrying out further activities planned throughout the project.