ICT Skills: Essential for all Teachers and Teacher Trainees

Dear All,

Today I wanted to share my ICT background and my thoughts concerning ICT with you. The reason of this was my visit to www.globalmorality.com portal this morning. I saw some comments about the technology use and I wanted to write this. I hope you enjoy it.

A teacher is the one who should be running before the other citizens of the nation to update himself/herself to be a good resource and guide for his/her students. This has always been my motto while training my students. As a teacher trainer, I have been in this business for 34 years. In 1974-while I was a student at Izmir Teachers' Training College, one of my instructors had given me an assignment about "Using video in teaching". TV was a very new tool for us and video, naturaly, had sounded so awkward to me. I was watching black-white TV programs since 1973 it was a very shocking homework for me. I had felt hopeless for weeks and after tiring efforts I had found a picture of video in the Turkish-American library and had prepared a very simple one and I had handed it to my dearest instructor; Prof.Dr. Ömer Demircan. He has been always a pioneer in his field and he still is. My first experience with video was in 1986 after that. My video teacher, Prof. Susan Stempleski within the Full Bright program, taught us in detail how to use it effectively while teaching a foreign language.

Then, during my Ph.D. Classes in Gaziantep I had the opportunity of having a "Computers & Technology" course from a Russian IT professor. He was an excellent teacher and as a result of his motivation, I had dared to write my own dissertation on my new toy_Olivetti. It was so simple but much more better than a typewriter. I could the chance of deleting and rewriting the errors. Forthermore, I was not wasting paper. It took my looong nights to finalize my dissertation but it was my product. :)

Then, in 1995 I decided to participate my first international conference_ the 6th IFIP World Congress at Birmingham, UK. My paper had got the approval by the organizing committee to be presented. Its title was: "Reducing Teacher Resistance to Innovations". I know it is still a problematic issue in many places. After that, in 2001 I started to have web pages to share my thoughts with the world and I started online projects with NYDT, from South Africa.

2004 was the starting year of my ICT Seagulls Project. Through it, I am publicising SQCs as well. The same year was a landmark for me; I started collaborating with Microsoft Turkey and until the end of 2008, as one of their advisors I localized the PIL Innovative Teachers Program to Turkish schools. I trained 200 teachers and coaches to reduce the teacher resistance to change. My efforts still go on in Boğaziçi University for 6 terms with the "Innovative Teaching" Course to senior students of the Faculty of Education. Feedback I obtain from my ex-students, proves the importance of that course not only to the students but to the administrators of the Faculty. My e-book on this journey is being shared by the Ministry of National Education, Educational Technologies Department on the address of: www.yenilikciogretmenler.meb.gov.tr

In order to get more info and/or get my help; you can get in touch with me: hayal@boun.edu.tr

Hayal Koksal (Ph.D.)

President, Peace & Quality Education Center

President, Association for Continuous Improvement (Sü Ge Der)

Director General (Turkey), WCTQEE

Director, Turkish Center for Schools of Quality

Instructor, Bogazici University

Today: 86. Anniversary of the Foundation of the Turkish Republic

Ataturk and the Modernization of Turkey

Ataturk is the national hero of Turkey. He founded the modern Turkish Republic out of the ashes of the Ottoman Empire; an empire that was seen as the sick man of Europe at the turn of the century. His modern perspective created a new nation and a country, and a secular state understanding different from most other Islamic countries was introduced by him. Once you step in Turkey, you will see his statues and the busts all over. One of the best books written about Ataturk from a foreigner's point of view is the book titled " The Rebirth of a Nation" by Lord Kinross.
He was born in the year 1881 in Thessaloniki, at that time, within the Ottoman Empire's borders at that time, in Greece at present . His full name was Mustafa Kemal and the Ataturk surname, meaning the father of Turks, was given to him by the Turkish people (1934 November 24th.) in accordance with the reforms he introduced to create a modern Turkish country.
His background was military, and he served in various posts in the Ottoman army. During the First World War , he was the colonel in charge of Infantry at Gallipoli in 1915 and it was his genious defense tactics that prevented the allied forces ( British, French, Anzacs - Australians and New Zealenders and Senegalese) from capturing the Dardanelles and eventually Bosphorus.
His success and fast growing reputation disturbed the capital and to keep him under control he was promoted to Pasha ( General ). When the War ended the armies of the allied forces occupied nearly all corners of the country including Istanbul. Sultan and many of the people saw a hopeful future in the acceptance of either the British or American mandate. Ataturk, however, had a very different vision. He left Istanbul in a small boat, namely Bandirma ( a nice model of the boat may be seen at the Ataturk Museum in Ataturk's Mausoleum, Ankara), going ashore at Samsun, a coastal town in the Black Sea, on the 19th. of May 1919 ( a date later to be presented by Ataturk to the Turkish Youth as the Turkish Youth Day), the day the War of Independence began. He wanted Independence.
First with skirmishes , in time with proper army troops, Ataturk and his army friends' armies started fighting the enemy. Ankara was chosen to be Ataturk's headquarter for its central location and the seeds of a new country were planted there. He and his friends wanted to replace the Monarchy with a Republic. The War of Independence took some three years and by the end of the year 1922, all of the invaders had left the country. The Ottoman Sultan fled in a British boat. The birth of a new nation had begun.
Ataturk's Revolutions
Political Revolutions:
The Sultanete was abolished in 1922, November 1st.The Republic was declared in 1923, October 29th.The Caliphship was abolished in 1924, March 3rd.
Social Reformations:
The hat as opposed to fez was introduced. (1925) The activities of religious sects were banned by law. ( 1925)Western calender was introduced. ( 1925)International numeric system was introduced. ( 1928)The Metric system was introduced. ( 1931)The nicknames and personal titles were abolished. ( 1934)Religious attire was prohibited in public ( 1934). According to this law, religious personalities, irrespective of the religious groups they belong were not to wear religious attire in public but only in their sanctuaries.The surname law.( 1934)The modern secular system of jurisprudence is instead of religious law is integrated.( 1926) The liberation of the women of Turkey by giving them political and social rights.a) Rights brought with medeni kanun ( 1926)b) Rights for women to be elected for the parliment
Educational and Cultural Reformations:
Unity in Education ( 1924 )Introduction and the acceptance of the Roman alphabeth. ( 1928 )The foundation of Turkish History InstitutionThe foundation of Turkish Language Institution
The Principles of Ataturk ( Kemalism):
The doctrines of Ataturk or Kemalism is a system of thought based on the facts of Turkey. It is shaped with the will of the Turkish nation through a long historical background. Above all, Kemalism is the introduction and the rendering of the rights to the nation. It is the expression of the national sovereignity.It is an attempt to reach the level of the modern civilizations, it is westernization, modernization. It requires to experience a modern social life, to establish a secular state, and to govern with a positive science mentality. The principles of Kemalism can be viewed in two groups: "The Basic Principles" and "The Complementary Principles".
The definition of the principles as Ataturk has expressed them:
The Basic Principles
RepublicanismNationalismPopularismEtatismSecularismRevolutionism
The Complementary Principles
National SovereignityNational IndependanceNational Unitiy and TogethernessPeace at home Peace abroadModernizationScientificism and RationalismHumanitarianism

Ataturk's Address to the Turkish Youth
Turkish youth!Your first duty is to project and preserve the Turkish independence and the Turkish Republic forever . This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be malovelent people at home and abroad, who wish to deprive you of this treasure. If some day you are compelled to defend your independence and your republic, you must not tarry to weigh the possibilities and circumstances of the situation before taking up your duty. These possibilities and circumstances may turn out to be extremely unfavorable. The enemies conspiring against your independence and your Republic may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the annals of the world. By violence and ruse, all the fortresses of your beloved fatherland may be captured, all its shipyards occupied, all its armies dispersed and every part of the country invaved. And sadder and graver than all these circumstances, those who hold power within the country may be in error, misguided and may even be traitors. Furthermore, they may identify their personal interests with the political designs of the invaders. The country may be impoverished, ruined and exhausted.
You, the youth of Turkey's future, even in such circumstances, it is your duty to save the Turkish independence and Republic. The strength you need is in your noble blood within your veins.

Long Live The Turkish Republic!

Feedback from ICT Seagulls: LAHS

Dear Dr. Hayal,
Congratulations!!!
Thank you very much for sharing the wonderful news from ICT Seagulls National Award Ceremony.
I am sure next year more Seagulls will fly from around the world.
We are one of the confirmed seagulls for next version.
-love & luck
Yogi

15th Annual Conference of HumanDHS

15th Annual Conference of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies
“Peace at Home, Peace in the World”in Istanbul, Türkiye

28th - 30th April 2010

Venue: Bogazici University, South Campus

• 28th-29th April 2010, for the closed part of the conference: Rectorate Hall

• 30th April 2010, for the Public Event: Albert Long Hall
Host, Organizer and Convener: Hayal Köksal, Ph.D.

Organizing Organizations:• Bogazici University, Peace Education and Research Center (BUPERC) • The Association for Continuous Improvement (Su Ge Der)• Turkish Center for Schools of Quality
Where to stay in Istanbul:

Taxim Hill Hotel:

Single room (including open buffet breakfast and VAT) 85 euro,

Double room 105 euro.

It is just at the center of everywhere and everything, subway, buses, shopping, historical places and shuttle is provided for a small amount of payment. Its special price option is until 4th January. Places are available for up to 50 persons. Be aware that the special price will expire on 4th January 2010.
Frame:
by Linda Hartling, 2004, Ph.D., Associate Director, Jean Baker Miller Training Institute, Wellesley College, Boston, USAIn our meetings we aim at creating a humiliation-free, collaborative learning environment characterized by mutual respect, mutual empathy, and openness to difference. The perspective of "appreciative enquiry" is a useful frame of our work. Our HumanDHS efforts are not just about the work we do together, but also about HOW WE WORK TOGETHER. At appropriate points during our meetings, for example at the end of each day, we take a moment to reflect on the practices observed that contributed to an appreciative/humiliation-free learning experience.It is important to emphasize that an appreciative approach is not about expecting people to agree. In fact, differences of opinion enrich the conversation and deepen people's understanding of ideas. Perhaps, this could be conceptualized as "waging good conflict" (Jean Baker Miller), which means practicing radical respect for differences and being open to a variety of perspectives and engaging others without contempt or rankism. As we have seen in many fields, contempt and rankism drain energy away from the important work that needs to be done. Most people only know "conflict" as a form of war within a win/lose frame. "Waging good conflict," on the other side, is about being empathic and respectful, making room for authenticity, creating clarity, and growth.

Please read An Appreciative Frame: Beginning a Dialogue on Human Dignity and Humiliation, that Linda has written in 2005.

Please see also Appreciative Facilitation: Hints for Round Table Moderators, kindly written in February 2006 by Judith Thompson to support the moderators of our workshops.

List of Conveners:
Hayal Köksal, Ph.D., Host, Organizer and Convener.
Hayal Köksal, Ph.D., is a Member of the HumanDHS Global Advisory Board, and the HumanDHS Education Team. Hayal Köksal is a teacher-trainer, researcher, and author. She is the Turkish Founder of the “ WCTQEE-CMS-KALBE-MER Initiative for Peace Education.” She was the advisor and coordinator of the Innovative Teachers Program of Microsoft Türkiye until 2009, and consultant of Educational Quality, Leadership and Project Management. Dr. Köksal received her MA in English Language Teaching from Gaziantep University in 1992, and her Ph.D. in Educational Sciences in 1997 from the same institution.

Linda Hartling, Ph.D., Supporting the Convener
Linda M. Hartling, Ph.D., is also a Member of the HumanDHS Global Advisory Board, HumanDHS Global Core Team, HumanDHS Global Coordinating Team, HumanDHS Research Team, and HumanDHS Education Team. She is furthermore a Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (JHDHS).Dr. Linda Hartling is the Associate Director of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute (JBMTI) at the Stone Center, which is part of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. Dr. Hartling is a member of the JBMTI theory-building group advancing the practice of the Relational-Cultural Theory, which is a new model of psychological development. In addition, Dr. Hartling coordinates and contributes to training programs, publications, and special projects for the JBMTI. She holds a doctoral degree in clinical/community psychology and has published papers on resilience, substance abuse prevention, shame and humiliation, relational practice in the workplace, and Relational-Cultural Theory.

Evelin Gerda Lindner, M.D., Ph.D. (Dr. med.), Ph.D. (Dr. psychol.), Supporting the Convener.

Social Scientist, Founding Director and President of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS), recipient of the 2006 SBAP Award, anchored at the Columbia University Conflict Resolution Network, New York, furthermore affiliated to the University of Oslo, Department of Psychology, Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Department of Psychology, and affiliated to the Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Paris, teaching, furthermore, in South East Asia, the Middle East, and other places globally.
Program of the Conference (still evolving!)
Please keep in touch with the convener: hayal@hayalkoksal.com www.humiliationstudies.org

Lots of love from Istanbul.

Hayal KÖKSAL

Reflections of the ICT Seagulls (2)

Hi,

I tried to reach at you through telephone but I could not.

As we expected, the ICT Seagulls Award ceremony passed in an excellent manner. So, I would like to thank you once more for that fruitful and joyful project we have conducted for years. I present my love and respect to you on behalf of our volunteers and children under the umbrella of our Association. We had dreamed Yeşim's attendance to the Ceremony who had guided the project for years with a great achievement. Thanks God, we managed it. I am also grateful to you for giving her a chance of sharing her thoughts and feelings with the audience during the opening talks. It has been a big surprise for us. In the coming years, we will go on following you and ICT Seagulls with Yeşim. We wish you good luck in India.

With love and respect.

Ayşegül Kınacı

Director, IT Department

Turkish Educational Volunteers (TEGV)

Reflections of the ICT Seagulls (1)

Hi to every Seagull,

One more Award Ceremony is over leaving nice memories to the future.

ICT Seagulls Award Ceremonies do not carry/show any similarities with the others. They are unique with their contents_love, wisdom, tolerance, respect to labour, imece (collaboration) spirit and quality-focus. Dedicated project leaders put their huge hearts into the projects, they share and care all the other projects adding value to the teaching-learning process of the teams coming from different regions of Turkey and also many unusual memories are lived.

In fact, its beauty lies in a reflection... It is the reflection of Dr. Hayal Köksal's and her dearest husband Servet Köksal's heartful loves and passions and always smiling faces of them for such kind of a meeting. I believe the source of such kind of love and respect is their commitment to the education of children. I know, even sharing the same environment with them adds many drops of joy for one...

Meanwhile, I would like to thank my dearest collagues who helped the organization and then met us in Muğla. My heartful thanks go to each of them. We also would like to thank the Mayor of Akyaka_Mr. Ahmet Çalca who hosted us with a huge smile on his face and shared his projects for the future of his town. We wish good luck for his wonderful projects. We also might be volunteer for his projects as Seagulls.

I am once more grateful to that organization through which I have had the chance of meeting my ex-team members who are still attending the Boarding Primary School of Ağrı-Diyadin. My team and I would like to congratulate all ICT Seagulls teams for their hard work, commitment to quality and for the extra ordinary presentations on the stage. I hope next year, we all will meet again.

I send my good wishes from Velimeşe Primary School of Çorlu/Tekirdağ...

Nilüfer ÖZBEY

Award Ceremony of ICT Seagulls

Dear All,

We held the National Award Ceremony of 2009 ICT Seagulls on 3-4 October in Muğla and Akyaka. It was a very fruitful and collaborative meeting. 40 participants from different cities and 65 ICT Seagulls from Muğla met and celebrated their achievements.

Many contributers made that organization an unforgattable event. I am grateful to;

All Seagulls principals, leading teachers, students and their parents,

Educational Volunteers,

Muğla Governor,

Akyaka and Muğla Municipalities,

Educational Directors of Muğla,

Muğla Chamber of Industry and Commercial,

Nazar Pastry,

Microsoft Turkey,

Kuru Kahveci Mehmet Efendi,

Doğan Marketing,

The Associaition for Continuous Improvement and

Hamle TV

Without their support, it will not be possible to organize such an event in Muğla.

Now, it is time to finalize the ICT Seagulls with the International Award ceremony. I am sure City Montessori School will realize this at the maximum quality level. I am also grateful to Mr. and Mrs. gandhi and Dr. Vineeta Kamran for that immense support.

2010 ICT Seagulls will start flying soon. The deadline for the registration (for overseas teams) is 31st December 2009. I will provide the team leaders with the necessary information and broshures on 2-5 December in Lucknow, India. I know, more and more teams will be with us from then on.

I wish all of you a very productive, cheerful and healthy week.

Hayal Köksal