iEARN Tech-Camp Gwadar

The First Tech-Camp ever held in Gwadar!

YES Alumna from Gwadar conducted a two-day workshop at Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Degree College Gwadar on 10^th and 11^th of February 2014 by iEARN Pakistan (International Education and Resource Network), SIE (Society for International Education) and YES Alumna. Through the workshop, 25 students got the opportunity to learn about social media and citizen journalism. Students of the college were very excited about attending the workshop as all most all of them had not attended such kind of workshop ever before.

 

Due to the new introduction of internet in the region, most students aren’t aware about different web-based forums where they can collaborate and even learn a lot more. The aim of the workshop was to brief the students regarding the use of technology and ways in which it can help and to get the students learn about Social Media tools like Facebook and Blogging. Students also learned about the techniques of creative writing for blog to identify needs, social issues or other aspects of their region. The sessions were designed in a method to ensure sufficient learning experience for the participants. They got opportunities to practice and implement their learning during the workshop.  Now when they had already learned about the new concepts, they can replicate their knowledge, and aware other fellows through their obtained skills.

Different methodologies were used during the workshop to make it interesting and to make sure full participation from the participants. Workshop started with introduction and an icebreaker which was a skit. Two of the participants were prepared before hand to present a skit regarding the social media uses in daily basis. Students were also briefed about different web based forums. Through different sessions, students learned about creating their email and facebook accounts along with a collective blog on blog spot where the students will be posting their experiences of the two day workshop. Blog was something very new to the participants.

Students also were engaged in interactive discussions. For the duration of the workshop students were divided into groups of five. Each group was engaged in a group presentation in which they presented some points of the positive use or the benefits of social media sites and citizen journalism. The group presentation activity provided the students a platform to enhance their presentational skills and gain confidence as most of the students don’t get such opportunities at college due to the use of traditional learning methods.   

Through the workshop, participants not only learned some new things but also their active involvement in activities like quiz, skit, icebreakers and group presentation promoted team work and leadership skills. The workshop also enhanced the participants’ intellectual curiosity along with building their confidence.