iPads in education to be main topic at Dubai education conference

Experts at the annual Global Education Forum will show educators how the tablets can be used to improve language skills.

DUBAI // Using iPads to teach children languages, including Arabic, will be one of the main discussion points at an education conference next month.

Experts at the annual Global Education Forum (Gef) and Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (Gess) will show educators how the tablets can be used to improve language skills and debate on their pros and cons.

“iPads are very intuitive,” said Matt Thompson, project director of Gess and Gef.

“They are increasingly being used as a tool to teach. The conference will also look at the challenges teachers are facing in using technology effectively and show them how to stay ahead of the game.”

He was speaking at a press conference to announce the event at the Ministry of Education on Tuesday. Gess will run for three days from March 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

“There are 120 workshops for teachers, principals and all educators. We are bringing international expertise and knowledge to make it a practical conference and not just based on theory.”

The conference, in its seventh year, will focus largely on technological skills, teaching methods and curricula for the 21st century, and engaging parents and pupils in the learning process.

Humaid Al Qutami, the Minister for Education, said: “The forum and the exhibition are an important opportunity to display the UAE’s successful experience in education and the advanced level we have achieved in smart learning, technology and digital schools.”

He said the ministry was investing heavily in education to meet the UAE’s 2021 vision in ensuring first-class education.

Mr Al Qutami said his ministry was keen to attract educational experts from the UAE and abroad to foster innovation and provide solutions to thousands of pupils.

The conference will also discuss teaching children with attention-deficit disorder, supporting pupils with learning difficulties through music and mobile devices, requirements for teaching children with challenging behaviour and using social media for teacher development.

Nearly 7,000 educators and educational experts from the UAE and overseas are expected to attend. More than 300 companies will display their innovations and technologies.