Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has championed education reforms, including extending compulsory education to ten years. In April, USAID’s Quality Learning Project helped support the country’s commitment to modernizing educational opportunities.

The training session, led by administrators and specialists from Turkmenistan’s National Institute of Education, was attended by 28 school teachers. The first such seminar to be held by the Quality Learning Project in Turkmenistan addressed the effective use of multimedia technology in education. “Many of Turkmenistan’s teachers recognize that kids need a different educational foundation than they did 20 to 30 years ago,” said Terry Giles, who heads the Quality Learning Project and led the demonstration on the effectiveness of multimedia technology in teaching of English and mathematics.

“Multimedia computer software and telecommunications technology enhance students’ effectiveness of cognitive self-sufficiency and provide new opportunities for the creative development of school children,” Giles added.

In line with the USAID Quality Learning Project goals, participants began the process of understanding the advantages of technology in motivating students through media utilizing cross subject linkages to improve learning outcomes. For instance, digital images of the Alhambra mosaics in Granada, Spain can be used to illustrate shape and symmetry, while also combining a lesson on art, history and culture. The Alhambra is believed by scholars to be the greatest monument to Islamic mathematical art on Earth.

Another advantage of multimedia technology is that it provides teachers with tools to reinforce lessons and motivate students. Also, a broad array of resources is available on the internet to generate innovative ideas. This is especially relevant because access to the internet has been broadened in Turkmenistan as a result of President Berdymukhammedov’s reforms.

“We found participants hungry to learn new methods and readily understand the concepts,” said Giles. Hopefully, the “Learning to Teach” seminar is the first of many occasions that will allow the USAID Quality Learning Project to assists Turkmenistan’s teachers improve their teaching through student-centered methods.