Braille books have been around for decades for the visually impaired but with the ever-increasing amount of matter to read, printing, obtaining and carrying around braille books can be cumbersome, difficult and inconvenient. The delay caused by the time taken to create, publish and ship these books made all the titles obsolete by the time they reached the shops. Furthermore, reading the braille alphabet requires training. Audiobooks on the other hand are cheaper, easier to obtain and hundreds of e-books can be stored on a single device.

Audiobooks are digital versions of books that are read aloud by AI that are available online through apps. These are downloadable texts that you can listen to while you do other work, in existence in simplistic forms since the 1930s. The use of audiobooks is growing from strength to strength in the Middle East due to their versatility and ‘on-the-go listening’. Audiobooks can be used by all for leisure listening but they also serve a more meaningful purpose. They are highly beneficial tools for the visually impaired. Special educational schools in the UAE have increased the use of audiobooks in their teaching methodology to transform the way they learn.

Reading Eggs is a comprehensive online library of books that recognises that reading has a significant impact on learning and skill development of children. It can be accessed through any device and the user has access to the whole library at the click of a button. Instead of carrying around bulky braille books, you can access over 3000 books on this platform, anywhere, anytime. Reading Eggs has a wide range of book categories to suit every child’s interest, ranging from everyday instances to mythical creatures in fantasy lands.

Audiobooks also help with time management as you can listen and continue to go about your day with tasks and chores that need to be completed. Commutes to and fro the office become less monotonous when you can listen to your favourite authors spin stories about various characters.

Students who listen to audiobooks improve their comprehension skills while the intonations of the voice guide them through the book. In the GCC areas, it has been found that students who develop mental health issues because of negative thought patterns, benefit from listening to audiobooks. They are distracted from negative thought patterns, by focusing on something else while listening. Studies have also shown that there is a link between social media use and feelings of loneliness and depression.

Schools in Dubai engage their students in audiobooks to motivate them to build fluency and critical thinking. Reading Eggs has hundreds of interactive reading lessons which build these skills in an enjoyable and rewarding way. They believe that all the literacy skills such as vocabulary, articulacy and comprehension can be attained through the use of audiobooks. Furthermore, the use of audiobooks is encouraged in all Dubai schools as it reduces the screen time for students and allows the eyes a break from the glare of a device screen.

Audiobooks can help a visually impaired child not only gain knowledge, but they can also boost their independence as they feel confident that they are able to do it alone. Sometimes they are also available free of charge to special students. And if not, the charges of shipping, production etc., are eliminated so the full benefit goes towards providing these audiobooks at minimal cost to the consumer.

Contact us

It is generally observed that out of many subjects, children find Math most difficult, and it happens to be quite a tough cookie to crack. It is the never-ending numbers, tricky formulae, complex diagrams, confusing theorems, intense calculations, and mind-boggling equations that baffle them. The teachers much as they give importance to every child in a group class, yet it may not be possible to clear the littlest of the queries each kid may have. Here is when the significance of a one-on-one Math class comes into play. Individual care has the highest benefit to a child. The teacher assists solo and the undivided attention that the child receives helps him or her ace Math like no other. It would then not be as hard and would become a favourite topic. In the current digital age, where online learning is at the helm, such a kind of a personal interaction can have the child understand the concepts best, not have any fear or doubts and can achieve amazing results. Educators today are working earnestly to go the extra mile and meet the international standards so that they can give the greatest knowledge to a child. Mathseeds is one such intelligent programme. They are based out of Dubai in the UAE and are also present in the GCC region and other Middle East sectors. This award-winning programme for kids aged 3 to 9, gives them the enjoyment, interaction and lessons that are rewarding since they teach foundational math’s and problem-solving skills while nurturing an early love for this subject. Mathseeds combines structured one on one lessons and highly motivational elements that keep children engaged and they are matched to the perfect lesson of their ability. Let us see some benefits of a one-on-one Math class.

Personal Interaction

The one-on-one communication between the student and the teacher helps bridge the gap between them. In a group, the teacher may or may not be able to develop an absolute close rapport with each child. In this set up, the teacher is clearly able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of his/her student and develop a healthy bond towards greater learning. The teacher can be physically present teaching individually in person at home, off school hours, or can teach online via popular methods of communication like Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or other video call apps. Remote learning gives the advantage of flexible hours. The child is thoroughly comfortable in its environment rather than being one amongst many in a class and can easily communicate with the tutor.

Doubts Solved Effortlessly

In a class, a student may sometimes hesitate to ask a question. They may get shy or awkward or feel their question or query might be silly or not worthy to be asked. Hence, they will not be able to clear their doubts. The calibre of students also varies. Some children might have to be taught a concept again due to their inability to grasp quickly in the first go, after it has been taught in class once. The repetition may slow the pace of the entire class and the smarter students may tend to mock the weaker children. Awkwardness and repetition are major factors for students not being able to communicate everything with their teacher and clear their concepts. Hence, in a one-on-one class there is no fear of asking as many times as possible or however small the doubt may be, the teacher will happily make the child understand Math. This personal interaction raises the child’s intellectuality and confidence. Of course, once that is achieved conquering Math becomes a smooth journey.

Online Resources are Plenty

Vast amount of information can be shared via online mediums. Offline too there are plenty of additional books available, however as compared to that online has better resources in terms of pdf documents, powerpoint presentations, excel files, to be shared. In a class, due to restricted time, a teacher can cover only the required elements of Math. While in online one-on-one learning a teacher can share more knowledge with the child with a plethora of resources and online tools that are definitely a blessing towards the finest learning be it Math or any subject. The additional tips and shortcuts to learning Math quickly and grasping concepts better can be done more so in a one-on-one format with these interactive online tools.

Cost Effectivity

Offline one-on-one learning may get a little pricey however the advantages are numerous. The same one-on-one concept online is even more powerful and affordable as it saves travel time. Teacher and student can connect together from the comfort of their respective locations.

Math for All

Learning is for life and is not restricted to just children and while being in school. If someone has missed elementary studying for whatever reason or if a person even wants to brush up certain Math concepts at a later age for an exam or to elevate personal knowledge, one-on-one online learning proves to be very beneficial. The teacher can cater amazingly as per the needs of the student and Math can be taught beautifully, not making it a gruelling subject for anyone. When one has a wonderful teacher, to personally teach, no subject in the world would be ever tough.

Contact us

We still remember the famous nursery rhyme ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ and enjoyed making different animal noises to learn what they sound like. Moo-moo says the Cow and the Pigs say Oink-Oink, while the Chickens go Cluck-Cluck. By the age of 2 years, children start understanding rhythm and by the age of 4 years, they can sing it pit-pat. How wonderful it is to learn through song, dance, and music.

What are Farm Animals?

Animals that stay on the farm and help the farmer are called Farm Animals. They don’t harm humans, but help us in a variety of different ways. The farmer along with his friends (farm animals), work hard, day & night to grow crops and get a good yield, so that they can supply fresh vegetables, grains, and fruits, to satisfy the growing needs of our population. Kids appreciate the food on their plate, once they know where it comes from and understand the ardent efforts that go-on behind the scene.

Classification of Farm Animals

Avian Species:

This category includes birds that are generally taken care of, so that they can provide poultry. Some examples are; ducks, geese, turkey, swarms, and ostrich. They lay eggs, which are highly nutritious for our well-being.

Mammalian Species:

These include domesticated animals that stay on the farm to carry out laborious work such as tilling, irrigation, and carrying heavy loads on a cart. Bullocks, buffaloes, horses, and donkeys are part of the farm and act as a resourceful companion. On the other hand, pigs, goats, and sheep, cows, are also a part of this cluster, who provide livestock, i.e. meat and milk, for our consumption.

Aquatic Species:

Aqua means water, and thus, aquatic animals are those who stay in water. The farmer prepares a pond or an artificial lake to create a comfortable habitat for ducks, fishes, crabs, algae, and other such types. They are usually kept on the farm to supply sea food through fish farming occupation.

Taking Care of Farm Animals

Livestock management is an art of taking care of our buddies on the farms. Animals should be provided with good nutritious food, so that they can survive and thrive within the agricultural setting. Proper designated shelters must be made for different types of breeds. For example; sheep stay in pen, chickens stay in a coop, and cattle stay in a cow-shed. This protects them from having to face the harsh sunlight or rain, and keeps them cosy through the seasons. Bathing animals and maintaining hygiene is also an important lesson to learn.

Matatalab’s Delivery Animal Lesson

This lesson demonstrates ‘4’ different types of Farm Animals. Children have to identify their names, know what they sound like, and also call-out the shelter names for each of them. In this activity, students will transport these animals one-by-one to different locations. For example; take the cow to the pizza parlour, or take the pig to the paint shop, thereby creating a story-board around it. Matatalab is famous in Dubai and other GCC regions, and pre-schoolers seem to love the funny lesson plans, that go beyond conventional learning, and give them an opportunity to practice hands-on, while getting entertained. You’ll really enjoy listening to the stories our little one’s have to share

Learning to Code

The MatataBot has few arrow keys which indicate directions and the child must use the appropriate arrow key to move the animal from point A to point B. This develops the following understanding;

• Studying how to use coding blocks to program a particular path to reach the assigned destination.
• Becoming friends with MatataBot and doing-away with the fear of coding at an early age.
• Experimenting and applying different paths, for some extra fun
• Becoming storytellers and improving one’s imagination, creativity, and communication skills, which are key to students studying in K-12 schools across the Middle East.

Key Vocabulary Grasped

• Knowing that MatataBot is a ‘Robot’ and observing how Robots are useful.
• Mapping and direction, leads to spatial awareness among children.
• Giving command and instructions to a Robot, increases confidence.
• Words like; forward, backwards, rotation, 90 degrees, become an everyday lingo.

To learn more about the fantastic modules offered by Matatalab and get your hands on the kit, for residents of the UAE, kindly visit our website https://knowledge-hub.com/ 

Contact us

Computer Labs in Schools used to be a recreational centre for 90’s kids. The session included exploring ‘MS Paint’ application and trying to discover the functionality of ‘MS Word’. The scope of learning was limited to text bookish knowledge about what the hardware and software components of a computer system are. However, the scenario has changed drastically, today.

As per the STEM curriculum, followed by most schools in Dubai and other regions of the Middle East, Technology is an important subject and students spend considerable amount of time working around projects in the computer lab. According to the level of grade the child is in, the subject knowledge keeps getting deeper. That’s because, we live in a world today, where technology plays a major role, and hence, it is beneficial to embrace it at an early age, preparing young adults to be job-ready. Technology also keeps us up-to-date with the latest trends and instils a sense of confidence to speak about it with peers and the community at large.

The following topics are useful to students from a practical point of view and are touch upon in classrooms:

• Cloud Computing
• Data Security
• Coding
• Robotics
• IOT
• Data Analysis
• Big Data
• Gaming
• Computer Graphics ….and much more

Skills Required to be an Efficient Computer Teacher in K-12 Schools

Classrooms have become smart with use of whiteboards, tabs, and laptops for each child in the UAE. Besides basic, typing and browsing the internet, students actually get their assignments online and are even graded basis the submission. A computer teacher therefor, has a very important role to play in schools. She has to be fully skilled and well-versed with technology, besides having classroom management skills, which are a must!

A Love For Technology and Research

Needless to mention, the educator herself/himself, needs to live-by and love-by the rules of technology. While having all basics in place, the teacher needs to have the hunger to keep exploring and learning about the latest software and hardware topics. Saying on top of the game and conducting research is a part of the job. Technology keeps changing at rapid place, so knowing what’s going on and quickly learning about it helps to pass on the knowledge to students and prepare them for the future.

Observing Classroom Behavior

This goes without saying! A teacher must know how to control and positively channelize the energy of young tech enthusiasts, so that she can abstract the most out of students. Discipline is a must, but so is having fun! The lessons should be made interesting and interactive. Platforms like TechnoKids are used by teachers to support classroom learning and present important computer topics in a gamified manner. TechnoKids is designed for K-12 students in GCC and world over, keeping in mind the student’s level of preparedness and age. New-age topics that are covered under their modules include; web designing, animation, data analytics, graphics, and much more.

Communication Skills

Students must be able to grasp what the teacher is trying to convey, and hence, strong communication skills are a must. Building a strong teacher-child relationship, goes a long way. The student must feel free to ask questions and seek advice, for which the educator must portray a friendly demeanor. Positive interactions help increase understanding and improve relation with the student body.

Good Organization Skills

‘With organization, comes empowerment.’ There is so much activity that goes on, in a school and having to teach students of different grades, can become quite tricky. Therefore, maintaining proper schedules, journaling what is being taught in class, making notes on the progress of the individual students & the entire classroom, helps the teacher keep her calm. Assignments are an important part of the learning process, thus keeping test papers ready and making use of LMS (Learning Management Software), helps maintain proper decorum during exam schedules.

Contact us

Universities are more likely to accept high school pupils who add “computer science” on their application for a variety of reasons. No matter if it is indicated as their intended major, it is more crucial that the student demonstrate how they have used their coding talents in an internship and invested time outside of the classroom to advance their programming abilities.

We must first consider this from the viewpoint of the college in order to see why this is. A college is a business, and companies like to brag about success-signifying numbers. Therefore, top institutions have always placed a strong emphasis on three key metrics: average graduating wage, employment rate for the graduating class, and admittance rate. The number of students majoring in STEM-related fields has, however, just become a new statistic that institutions are beginning to provide. Regardless of acceptance rates, this is the rationale for institutions’ efforts to enroll prospective STEM students, particularly those in computer science. This is a result of the robust job market, which has an employment rate of over 90% and a typical beginning salary in New York City of approximately $90,000.

The next logical question should be: How do I let a college know that I am a student not only interested but have a high likelihood that I will graduate with a major in computer science? Now that we understand the colleges’ motivation for wanting to accept students who are more inclined to study a STEM focused major. This is crucial to note since the rate of major transfers or dropouts for computer science majors is astronomically high. The success of your application depends on how you communicate in your application that you are serious about this major and did not simply click the box next to it. Colleges are attempting to fight this.

This advice is for any student looking to gain a competitive edge in the application process, not just engineering students, so keep in mind that at most top business or liberal arts schools various STEM majors are offered. This will help you convince colleges that you are serious about pursuing a STEM major or minor. In addition to demonstrating that they have taken programming classes in school, a student must also demonstrate that they have spent their summers attempting to enhance their coding skills and that they have used their programming expertise to land internships.

CodeMonkey thinks that traditional learning methods should be challenged and that the development of new learning tools will ensure the success of educational systems across the GCC and Middle East. In order to provide engaging and successful learning experiences, we prioritize user experience and engagement while designing our products. They encourage in-depth technological and pedagogical knowledge, and the end result is a solution that instructors can use without hesitation and students adore. Since they first learned to code as fourth graders in the 1990s, they have been aware of the importance of code literacy for a child’s future. Based on Jonathan’s successful experiences teaching young children to code through engaging activities, CodeMonkey was established in 2014. Today, millions of learners from cities in the UAE such as Dubai, Abu Bhabi and all over the world benefit from the fun, knowledge, and opportunities provided by CodeMonkey.

Two fundamental objectives drive these projects. The first is to include students in hands-on learning while teaching them to code in an open, cooperative atmosphere. The second is to assist students in putting together a portfolio of their work that they may present to institutions or potential internship providers for future summers.

The future generations of coders will be born and reared in a world where learning is fun. By playing games together, working out problems, inventing, producing, and sharing, we want to provide an engaging platform where 21st century skills and programming knowledge can both be learned.

Contact us