Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) Kyrgyzstan 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) Kyrgyzstan will equip students and teachers with the technology and training to enhance classroom learning and to connect with their peers and colleagues in the United States for collaborative educational projects. GCE will also support the Government of Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to incorporate ICT in education. GCE is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.

• Support for Educational Development: GCE will train teachers in educational technology tools to help them develop participatory, student-focused lesson plans. Teachers then will train their colleagues in interactive lesson design, creating a multiplier effect that will reach thousands of primary and secondary school teachers.
• Connecting Schools to the Internet: GCE will provide internet connection to selected schools throughout Kyrgyzstan.
• Technical Skills Training: GCE will train students and teachers in a variety of ICT skills, including computer and internet basics, website creation, and Web 2.0 tools.
• Leadership Training for Girls: GCE will empower girls through a combination of technology and leadership training programs. With computer and leadership skills, the girls will create their own domestic and international peer networks, and implement community-based projects.
• Online Exchange: Collaborative online projects with US schools will develop peer and professional relationships for Central Asia’s students and teachers. The class projects will discuss topics, such as cultural differences, community issues, and national traditions.
• Modern Lesson Plans: Teachers who have completed computer literacy training will create lesson plans with an IT component that brings new resources into the classroom and makes lessons more engaging for students.

KEY ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES

• Enhance mutual understanding and cross-cultural awareness between youth and teachers in the US and Kyrgyzstan
• Develop participatory educational methodology through online resource development, teacher training, and the integration of ICT into lesson plans
• Empower youth to take an active part in their communities through global online initiatives, contribute to online resources, and develop community-based projects

PROJECT TARGETS

• 220 + teachers will be trained in computer literacy
• An educational portal for Kyrgyzstan will be created
• An online social and educational network will be launched
• 72 online collaborative projects between US and Kyrgyzstan schools will be conducted
• 60+ new lesson plans using ICT will be created by teachers

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

ONLINE PRESENCE

• GCE will launch and support a website that will serve as Kyrgyzstan’s educational portal through which teachers and students can freely find professional development and educational opportunities, exchange lesson plans with IT components, and share best practices.
• GCE will create an educational social networking site for all program participants using an open-source and free platform. The social networking site will allow users to share experiences and stay connected to one another. Students and educators from the US and Kyrgyzstan will be able to communicate and discuss different topics, post podcasts, blog, and share videos and photos.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS IN KYRGYZSTAN

• GCE will target all seven regions in Kyrgyzstan and involve a total of 14 full-time GCE schools.
• Fourteen Masters of Information Technology in Education (MITEs) will be trained from among current English teachers. The MITEs will then recruit students and teachers to participate in GCE activities.
• The MITEs will train over 140 teachers on how to incorporate ICT in the classroom.
• The program will conduct four cycles of online collaborative projects – totaling 72 projects – between schools in the United States and Kyrgyzstan.
• Three of the highest-achieving participating teachers from Kyrgyzstan will travel to the United States for an educational and cultural exchange.
• Ten online discussions focusing on methods integrating ICT into education will be held for teachers.
• GCE will conduct the Tech Age Girls project, which will train 45 young women throughout Kyrgyzstan in technology and leadership skills.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tel: (996 312) 61-05-49

Bakytbek Tokybek uulu
Country Coordinator
btokubekuulu@irex.kg

Akjol Joroev
Advocacy Specialist 
ajoroev@irex.kg

Tynchtyk Zhanadylov
Training Officer 
tzhanadylov@irex.kg

Aigul Isabekova
Program Associate
aisabekova@irex.kg