Training of trainers on map reading and using

On August 05 and 06, 2019 Open Development Cambodia together with Department of Information Technology (DIT) of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) have successfully carried out a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Map Reading and Using in Kampong Chhnang Province. 26 teachers from 13 high schools across 11 cities and provinces in Cambodia participated in the ToT.

ODC and DIT representatives

The ToT was conducted following two consultative workshops with high school teachers teaching subject such as Information Technology (IT), Geography and Earth Science. The objectives of this ToT is to equip high school IT teachers with the knowledge in reading and using maps, both online and offline. At the same time, the teachers are trained to be able to deliver the map-reading lessons to their students during school hours.

The developed curriculum for the training consists of 17 chapters detailing types of maps, map features and practice exercises. Besides the curriculum, other types of teaching materials are being produced so that the future students will work with not only the text and some pictures in the book but also materials with which they can practice, see, hear, and touch. Those materials include printed maps and video tutorials (4 videos for each chapters).

Teachers participating in the training

Based on pre and post training surveys, the ToT has taught the teachers different functions and tools that they have never used before on digital maps. They were also introduced to Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Street Views and got the chance to create their own maps using My Maps. Mr. Vong Tong, IT teacher from Net Yang high school, Battambang province said he has gained new knowledge of maps, both printed and digital, of which he has never been aware before. “Map reading is crucial not only for the students but also for the citizen at large because with the knowledge, they will be able to easily navigate their location and locally and internationally without getting lost and having to ask people around”, he adds.

The teachers wish to join more training on maps and other technological inventions that could benefit their work and their students’ education. Most of them also felt that they needed more time for the training since certain in-depth aspects of maps require time for them as IT teachers to grasp.

The curriculum developed and used in the ToT will be finalized and distributed among the teacher trainers. They can then further study the materials and deliver the map-reading lesson to their students. ODC and DIT will study to a greater extent on how we can eventually integrate the curriculum into high school national curriculum.

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

ODC is eagerly seeking financial support to scale up the project to more schools in Cambodia so that more students can be trained on how to read maps. Additional funding will also enable the ODC and DIT team to produce more quality training materials for both the teachers and DIT team.