20th Annual iEARN Conference Concludes with a Call to Increase Use of Technology in Education

Doha, July 06 (QNA) - The 20th Annual iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) International Conference and 17th Youth Summit, organized by Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), concluded at Qatar National Convention Center with participants agreeing to increase relevant usage of technologies in education to reach out, learn and build a better world together. Qatar became the first country in the Gulf to host this summit since the conference began in 1994. At this year's annual iEARN International Conference, around 700 teachers, students and specialists in information technology came from more than 50 countries, to share and learn how technology is being used in the classrooms. The Supreme Education Council was the official ROTA partner of the iEARN conference, while RasGas was the Golden Sponsor and Qatar Vinyl Company, the Bronze sponsor. Over the course of five days, the delegates took part in various activity-packed program, interactive sessions, panel discussions and closing ceremony celebration. "This year's forum has proven that the iEARN agenda has never been more relevant. We are working together with all the educators to achieve progress and to realize our aspirations of a world where everyone is connected and where everyone can benefit from and participate in the digital world," said ROTA Executive Director Essa Al Mannai. Kicking off the final day of iEARN conference, delegates grabbed the opportunity to participate in one of the panel sessions that was dedicated to social media tools in education. This session was well-received by the youth as this is the new form of media that has been catching the imagination of today's new generation. Panelists in this session discussed the innovative developments in communication and information technology of the social media revolution are connecting teachers and students in new ways that require a rethinking of traditional forms of teaching and learning. The panelists also dwelt on the pros and cons for different social media tools and discussed how to utilize them in a meaningful way in classes. (QNA)