New mLearning project in Azaz through “Race to the King” initiative

Publication date: Feb 21, 2017
Thanks to the participation of Vodafone Foundation employees in the "Race to the King" fundraising campaign since October 2016, TSF has launched a new mLearning project for displaced Syrian children.

In October 2016, TSF benefitted from the generous support of the Vodafone Foundation through its employees' participation in the 'Race to the King' initiative. A new programme has thus been put in place, with particular attention being paid to vulnerable young girls.

40 tablets have been dispatched to the two schools in A'zaz, offering connectivity, along with a multitude of educational resources for teachers and pupils (apps, educational websites, encyclopaediae, videos).

TSF trains teachers in the use of the tablets, allowing them to integrate the new digital resources into their lessons. Specific mLearning-oriented sessions carried out by TSF staff complement the schools' traditional lessons.

This technology allows children to make the most of several sources of documentation and information available online and deepen their understanding of their traditional lessons, whilst developing creative exchanges. In total, 1,271 children benefit from the A'zaz mLearning programme.

The duration of the project set as 2 years, TSF's objective is to develop existing activities and organise theme-specific sessions aiming to promote the education and the fulfillment of young Syrian girls.

Examples of the mLearning kit's usage:

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English language vocabulary using the LingLing App.

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Maths using AstroMath - an adventure game using algebra problems to complete different levels.

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Educational activities with the Tiny tap app that allows teachers to create interactive quizzes to help children memorize what they have learned in class on tablets.

In parallel to this new programme funded by Vodafone's participation in the Race to the King, TSF continues its mLearning activity put in place in 2013 in two schools within the Al Salama refugee camp. Based on the same model, the centres host a total of 325 children.

On the other side of the border in Turkey, TSF instigated a new partnership with the "Rainbow Centre" in Gaziantep. The centre was created in August 2015 by Syrian refugee volunteers living in the city. The structure is situated in one of Gaziantep's poorest neighborhoods and was set up to provide a place for children who were previously begging on the streets or being forced to work illegally.

Its aim is to provide a safe-haven for Syrian refugee children and protect them from the dangers of the streets, whilst teaching them the fundamentals of education. A TSF staff member gives mLearning lessons using tablets on themes such as Maths, Science, English and Geography. The Rainbow Centre currently welcomes 60 children.

Each day spent in school brings stability into the lives of pupils, restoring hope and creating objectives for the future. Thanks to education, these children will be able to acquire the necessary skills to prepare their future and help rebuild peace where it is needed the most.

It is for this very reason that TSF has been supporting education for Syria since 2013. Its expertise in ICT in the education domain currently benefits 1,656 Syrian children.

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