8th International ICT Seagulls: READY TO FLY?

YOU ARE ALL INVITED!
The Quality and Peace Education Center (KALBE-MER), The Association for Continuous Improvement (SÜ GE DER) and the Turkish Center for Schools of Quality are proud of starting the 8th year of the “ICT Seagulls Projects”. This year we initiate a new movement: The handicapped / challenged students are mostly welcome.
The slogan of the this year is;
The future leaders of our world will be kind, dignified, peace-lovers…
Main themes are;
1.Human Dignity: (What are the main problems concerning discrimination (based upon gender, religion, language, ethnics and financial status) and humiliation on the way of training dignified young leaders for the future world? Main obstacles before the dignity and solutions.
2.Fairplay in Sports Project teams will work with the methodology of “İmece/Collaboration/SQC Circles”, they will use “quality tools” to conduct problem-solving and they will be expected to use ICT (Information & Communication Technologies) effectively at every step. As a result of the great support of the processes of the Project, students will gain “life-long learning philosophy” which is known as a great vehicle for character-development. We have been proud of the outcomes of the previous projects which were conducted during the previous years by various schools in Turkey, USA, South Africa and India.

The project will be open to all levels; elementary and secondary schools, high schools and colleges including the disabled teams and those project teams will share the outcomes/products of their studies in various ways:
a- Web Page Design, b- Blog, c- Case Study Presentation, d. Drama, e- Art (Drawing, collage, sculpture, poster, etc.), f- Music & Dance, g- ? (Use your creativity!).

The project aims at;A- Creating awareness within the student-teacher teams related to;
1.Human Dignity,
2.Cultural sensitivity and tolerance,
3.Historical perspective,
4.Team spirit through World Bank awarded “İmece Circles” methodology,
5.Quality focused issues and tools,
6.Technological & Environmental literacy,
7.Creativity: Original and authentic design power,
8.Time, meeting, conflict, stress and portfolio management,
9.Ethics, Communication skills & Problem-solving skills
10.Sports and Fairplay.
B- Motivating young generations to be more creative, productive and investigative whatever they study on.
C- Sharing the outcomes at a very extraordinary style_ use your imagination to move towards the beyond of limits; not only at national but also at international platforms.

Target Age Groups: For the year 2011, all the “Seagulls Circles” will be studied under siz types and levels. They are as follows:
1.Primary school (1-5 graders)
2.Secondary school (6-8 graders)
3.High schools (9-11 graders)
4.University Circles
5.Challenged / Handicapped (All age groups)
6.NGO Circles (All age groups)
The State and Private schools will be assessed within the same platform.

Project Steps:
At the administrative level:1.Registration of the school to Kalbe-Mer to participate in the projects.
2.Signing the Protocol between the school principal, team leaders and the authorities of Kalbe-Mer.
3.Providing the seminar opportunity to the project circle by the principal and the leading teachers.
At the Team Level:
1.Identification of the project topic (problem area) with the participation of students.
2.Conducting a detailed research (Literature review) related to the problem area chosen as a circle (team).
3.Drawing of the Road Map of the project through some quality tools, such as; brainstorming, fishbone diagram, matrix, etc.
4.Determination of the causes of the problems and probable solution strategies to be applied.
5.Collecting data related to the problem and applying the determined strategies.
6.After the application of the strategies for the solution of problem, measuring the success rate and sharing all the outcomes study through various ways (web page, case study, drama, music, etc).

Assessment Processes & Criteria:
2011 ICT Seagulls Projects will be assessed at three steps:
1. PRELIMINARY STEP: The General coordinating body of the projects (Kalbe-Mer) will approve the projects at the final step just before starting their peer-assessment phase of the circles. The following criteria will be taken into consideration:
a). Obeying time restrictions (managing time).
b). Following the general rules of the project during the project steps.
c). Designing and sharing the outcomes of the project according to the rules.
d). Delivering all the documents and CDs at a complete and timely manner.
2. PEER ASSESSMENT STEP: All the circles from different countries will assess the other projects (excluding theirs). There will be 30 points of 10 criteria and this grade will form the 60% of the whole grading (See the criteria below). Circle members are also expected to correspond with the other circles’ members living at different countries. The circles from the same schools cannot assess their school-mates.
3. JURY ASSESSMENT: The jury members will assess all the projects based on the same criteria mentioned above. It will constitute of the 40% of whole assessment.

Assessment Criteria:
1.The identification of the project topic must be done in a democratic manner and the main problem should be clearly defined.
2.The literature review of the problem area must be conducted from the Internet and from the library resources. All the members should seem to have understood the main theme accurately.
3.The data analysis and determination of main and root causes must be done accurately through various QUALITY Tools such as Brainstorming, Fishbone and Matrix diagrams.
4.Strategies and solutions determined by the members must be clear and affective.
5.Changes after the implementation should be stated openly in the strategic plan. They must be measured and the improvement/change rates must be given in percentages (%).
6.The outcomes of the project should be clarified well. The project diary and reporting system exist. Minutes of the meeting accurately done.
7.If the outcomes are shared via a “Web page design” and/or “Blog”, it should hold all the needed characteristics and sections (Easy access, Logos, links, contacts, circle members...etc.).
8.It is apparently clear that in this project, students must prepare everything and conduct the whole project. Parents clearly supported their children. The role of teacher is only facilitating.
9.The advisor/expert in the problem area should be honored and quoting should be done accurately.
10.Outcomes should be shared through multiple vehicles; based upon the intelligence types of the project members (Web page, Blog, Case study presentation, Drama, Art (Drawing, photography, poster, collage exhibitions), Music & Dance

Prerequisites of the Project:In order to take part in the project, technology must not form an obstacle. The internet connection and PCs should be accessible by the circle members. Each project member is advised to have e-mail accounts.

This project does not have a financial award. The biggest award is considered as internalizing;
•Team spirit
•Critical thinking skills
•Continuous Improvement Philosophy (Kaizen)
•Communication skills
•Leadership skills
•Reputation at national and international platforms

It is recommended to include the parents of the students to the project cycle as well.

İMECE/Collaboration makes us stronger and also happier.

Good Luck! JOIN US!

Hayal KÖKSAL (Ph.D.)
Designer & General Coordinator

To get more info, please visit our web page: www.bilisimcimartilar.com

Current News...

Dearest Dosts,
The book named; "Removing Disabilities through Empathy" appeared last week. It was designed and edited by me. It includes 50 real life stories of disabled people_ their problems and solutions. The members of the Association for Spinal Cord Paralytics (www.tofd.org.tr) and my senior students from the Educational faculty of Bogazici university prepared the storied inside. The book is sold by the Association for Continuous Improvement (www.sugeder.org) and the income of it will be spent for the "Empowerment of the disabled people project" living in Hüsnü Ayık Center of TOFD in Gürpınar and for the next editions of the book. We are grateful to the General Director of OKİ Printing Solutions, Turkey Section to be the sponsor of the first edition of the book.
For more information and to order the book please inform us.
Tel: +90 212 341 26 01 Fax: +90 212 341 26 02 hayal@sugeder.org

The 7th International ICT Seagulls Project Award ceremony was held on 9th October 2010 at İstinye Enka School's Oditorium with the support of Sarıyer City Council and Sarıyer Municipality. 17 circles including India participated in the event and enjoyed a lot. We thank to all of the participants and supporters.

The 5th World Congress for Positive Psychotherapy was held on 9-12 October 2010 at the Green park Hotel in Bostancı, Istanbul. My approved two papers were presented there: 1.Dignified Young Leaders and 2. Nonviolent Curriculum Design. If you want to learn more, please write to me (hayal@hayalkoksal.com).

7th International Children and Communication Congressand 7th International Children Films Festival will be held in Istanbul on 20-22 October 2010. My paper concerning "the Nonviolent Curriculum Design for parents and primary school teachers"
will be presented on 21st October, during the academic session.

ICONTE Congress will be held in Antalya on 11-13 November 2010. I will present a paper about the Dignified Young Leaders Camp Program there. To learn more about the program, please visit:www.iconte.org

With love and peace...
Hayal Köksal

Teachers Day

MY DEAREST COLLEAGUES,

I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!

AS ATATÜRK SAID BEFORE; "TEACHERS ARE THE ARCHITECTURES OF THE FUTURE. NEW GENERATIONS WILL BE THE PRODUCTS OF THEM."

LOTS OF LOVE FROM ISTANBUL.

Hayal KÖKSAL (Ph.D.)

Award Ceremony and Disabled Projects

Dear Dosts,
I wish you a happy Feast of Ramadan. These days require peace, support, sharing and caring each other. Violence or conflict are not the steps to be taken. I hope every person spends peaceful and lovely days during these sacred days.
We are going to realize the 7th International Award Ceremony of ICT Seagulls on 9th October 2010 with the great support of sarıyer Mıunicipality and City council. It will be held at Enka Schools, İstinye, Sarıyer and all the participating circles will get their awards. We are thankful to the Mayor Sükrü Genç and also to the head of the governing body of City Council, Mr.Adnan Ayber. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
We are adding more projects to the work we conduct with and for the disabled dosts. A new İmece has just started at Gürpınar with Ramazan Baş and his wonderful team to support the disabled ones living there. The disabled sosts are learning to solve their problems through İmece Circles. Another step of it is a book, namely: Removing Obstacles with Empathy. It will have been printed by the end of this month.
With love and peace...
Hayal KÖKSAL

30 th August: The Day of Victory

Have a happy VICTORY DAY!

TURKISH YOUTH!
Your primary duty is ever to preserve and defend the National independence of the Turkish Republic. That is the sole foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure... The strength that you will need for this is in the noble bloodwhich flows in your veins.
M.K.ATATÜRK
The great Speech

Participating in a Seminar

Dear Dosts,
I will be participating in a two-day seminar in Istanbul, organized by ICNC. It is about teaching and studying the subject of civil resistance. I believe along with the other 16 participants I will learn more about nonconflict issues.
The 7th International ICT Seagulls Project ended and 24 teams from various cities of Türkiye and also three projects from ındia contributed a lot with their hard work. I congratulate all the leaders, teachers and students of the teams. The Award Ceremony will be held on 2nd October in sarıyer, Istanbul. After the finalization of the program, all the team leaders will be informed about it.
Perhaps you are aware of it: I have been dealing with the disabled NGOs to guide the challenged students about teaching them problem solving skills. With the Association for The Spinal Cord Paralytics (TOFD) is one of the most dedicated NGOs to the disabled students. This year, within the Seagull Projects, they conducted the "Empathy" project. They prepared some reallife stories from their own lives and also they interviewd with the abled and disabled ones regarding the main problem areas of the disabled. I also guided my senior students at the Educational Faculty of Boğaziçi University and 30 students prepared similar stories after interviewing with the disabled. now, a wonderful book appeared, including more than touching 50 stories. I am editing the book and I am sure it will be within the hands of all. After so many collaborative work with them, ı sincerely believe that we must start training the abled ones before the disabled in order to enlighten their ways.
I wish you all happy and cool summer days. Istanbul is too hot to live in. Love,
Hayal KÖKSAL

Results of ICT Seagulls Projects...

Dear All,
Dear ICT Seagulls,
After a very busy year, in addition to your subject matters the projects you were in also ended. In Turkey, at least, this is the timing of the schools. They start in mid-September and close in mid- June.
I know that all the ICT Seagulls teams have been looking forward to hearing about the results of the projects, especially “THE MOST/BEST……. CIRCLE” side. In addition to the web page of our project (http://www.bilisicimartilar.com/en), I wanted to share the great achievements in my blog. Here they are:
This year two kindergartens registered for the ICT Seagulls Project but only one of them cloud finalize it. For the young learners we approve ppt presentations as the necessary input. Çorlu, Velimeşe Primary School’s Kindergarten Class, “Ateş Böcekleri” circle was the only one who finalized the project with a great achievement. Under the great leadership of Nilüfer Teacher you did a good job. You learned how to use quality tools and you worked for Art. They won the “THE YOUNGEST & THE MOST DEDICATED TEAM TO QUALITY”. Congratulations kids!
Burdur Bahçelievler Primary School has been participating in our project for the last four years. Our dedicated Seagull Coordinator Mrs. Hüzan Akyol guided her students this year about preparing a “History Atlas with Art”'. The Art Buds Circle was determined as "THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AND THE MOST ENERGETIC TEAM” of the year. We congratulate them.
İzmir Kemalpaşa Primary School’s Rainbow Circle studied on the “Awaken the artist within” and won the Award of “THE SECOND BEST SEAGULL PROJECT” In addition to it, the administration of that school deserved another Award (THE MOST SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AWARD) due to their endless and committed support for the Seagulls Team. Thank you!!! Without the support of their adults, young seagulls cannot fly higher.
Çorlu Velimeşe Primary School was with us through 3 projects. Our Seagull Coordinator Ms.Nilüfer Özbey showed her great talent again in Çorlu after Ağrı Diyadin Awards. The Circle “Düm Tek Tek” supported Art and the disabled students by saying “Hand-in-Hand with Art. Their project won “THE THIRD BEST SEAGULL PROJECT & THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC SEAGULL TEAM”. The third project of the same school was about winging for Art. They used art for breathing. They won “THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC WINGING SEAGULL TEAM”. We wish all good luck for their future lives.
Antakya Bedii Sabuncu Primary School opened the curtains of the artistic activities of their school to public with the Circle “Art is our orbit”. They won “THE MOST ART-FOCUSED SEAGULL TEAM AWARD”. We would like to see them with us again with the sports based projects. Thanks Ms.Ayşe Çetin for your endless efforts even though passing through hard days.
Izmir Işıkkent Primary School’s, “Future Touching Seagulls” whispered to us that they have had the cue of the future and with the great support to the Art Course of their school they deserved “THE MOST VISIONARY SEAGULL TEAM AWARD”. Congratulations.
Ağrı Diyadin Boarding Primary School, which is with us for 4 years, searched for solutions for the local problems via Art. We celebrate Peace Pigeons for their great efforts for peace in their region. They won THE MOST PEACE-FOCUSED SEAGULL PROJECT AWARD. We are happy that you are there to preserve the peace. Thank you.
Now, let’s talk about High School teams…
This year, again Muğla Turgut Reis High School has the record with 4 projects. I am grateful to our hardworking coordinators_ Mr.Halil Urgancı and Mr. Mehmet Acet. They not only motivated their school students and teachers but also they helped me gain the Educational Faculty of Muğla University. I present my gratitude to them. Thanks…
The Circle TINI from Muğla Turgut Reis High School, focused on the question of: How can we train TQP through Art? With their wonderful project, they won “THE MOST SUCCESSFUL & THE BEST-PLANNED ICT SEAGULL PROJECT AWARD”. You are great! Thank you….
The Circle “Encyclopedic Youth” worked on "PSİKODRAMA: Flowers ask for water and the spirit Art” and their project was awarded as “THE SECOND BEST & THE MOST INTERESTING SEAGULL PROJECT”. Congratulations. Go ahead!
The Circle “Nuance” won the “THE AWARD OF THE MOST LOCAL ART-FOCUSED SEAGULL PROJECT” with "Why do we lose? Music saves life”. And the Circle “Young Notes” got the “THE MOST MUSIC-ORIENTED SEAGULL PROJECT AWARD” with the “The Importance of Art in Education: The DNA of Music”. We wish them good luck. Thanks.
Private Irmak High School’s “The Face of Art Circle”; took part in the 1. Art Biennal in their school and won “THE BEST CHANGE-MANAGER SEAGULLS TEAM & THE THIRD BEST SEAGULL PROJECT AWARD”. Congratulations.
Sarıyer, Vehbi Koç Foundation High School Scouts prepared a project under the great leadership of Scout leader Mrs. Beyhan Aksop. They were also supported with an NGO (The Society for Kilyos). They won “THE MOST ENVIRO AND SUPPORT-FOCUSED SEAGULL TEAM AWARD”. Congratulations Scout boys and girls.
The Circle “Allegory” from the same school worked on: “460 Years Later: We will be alive through Science again. The real way of mind is science”. Through their performance they have been awarded as “THE MOST ALLEGORIC SEAGULL TEAM”. Thank you.
We had started with 3 University teams. Only one could survive and finished the project in an excellent manner: Muğla University, Faculty of Education students and instructors successfully finalized their journey. They also deserved the special Jury Award (Prof.Dr. Ümit Serdaroğlu Award) with their commitment and wonderful communication styles with us. The Circle Harmony analyzed "The Physics within the music" and won “THE BEST UNIVERSITY PROJECT & PROF.DR.ÜMİT SERDAROĞLU SPECIAL JURY AWARD. We celebrate the great success of our future teachers.
The only NGO which guided a full project and included in some students from a state and a private High school was: “The Spinal Cord Paralytics Society of Turkey (TOFD).” We are thankful to our great Dost, the President Mr.Ramazan Baş, Mrs.Gülüm Yalçın_the general Secretary and the team leader Ms. Havva Seda and to all team members for their wonderful performance. I am also thankful to Yusuf and Serkan for their dedication. The Circle Empathy with their project: “I wonder if you are the obstacle before the disabled” won “THE BEST İMECE TEAM_THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECT OF THE DISABLED AWARD”.
We had registered 7 overseas projects. Only three of them could finish the projects. City Montessori School, Lucknow, India (CMS) presented and handed in her projects as ppt presentation as usual and did not change their system. So, they could not be judged by the peers. Their project topics were about the Art of public speech and improvement process in the art of writing. We congratulate Ms. Sumita and her teams for their hard work. Thank you my CMS Family.
Little Angels High School (LAHS), on the other hand, added one more huge success to their ex-champion Project. I present my heartful thanks to my dearest Dost Yogi for his great leadership to his students. I must also mention about the great support behind the curtain: My Dost Mrs. Tina Olyai. The Circle Dream tried to awaken our souls through Art and won “THE MOST SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL SEAGULL PROJECT & THE BEST PLANNED TEAM AWARDS”.
Thus, we have completed another great “Seagull Journey”. We completed seven years in this project. Even though we witness many restrictions; we are grateful to our dosts who have been with us for years and to those who participated in us recently. WE LOVE YOU ALL! We hope we will be together in our Award Ceremony together, and we fly to different oceans together fore the coming journeys. Have a good summer holiday.
Hayal KÖKSAL