Bye bye chalk boards, hello 21st century

Many schools in Dubai now have dedicated Innovation and Technology leaders in place

It's been no secret that schools in Dubai have slowly been transitioning from traditional classrooms to smart classrooms over the past few years, and the trend is continuing to grow here.
As iPads and other tablets prove their dominance in the classroom, these technology tools have become the staple over pen and paper.
With smart boards replacing black boards and tablets becoming the new notepad, students, teachers and parents alike - whether lovers of the digitisation approach in the classroom or not - are at the frontline when it comes to smart education.
Many schools in Dubai now have dedicated Innovation and Technology leaders in place taking this new age forward, including technology lead at Victory Heights Primary School, Ben Rothwell.
Rothwell said technology, when used correctly, can be "transformational in the classroom" as it enhances every learning experience.
Looking from a government perspective, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme was also launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, back in April 2012.
Aligned with the UAE Vision 2021, the programme works to help the country become a knowledge-based economy through the integration of technology in education.
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And through the application of world class teaching techniques and up to date technology, it aims to further advance the UAE's already accomplished education system into the next phase of development.
The city's dedicated education authority, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), has not been shy in taking 21st century skills by the horn either.
Earlier this month, when commenting on the second cycle of the 'Dubai Future Accelerators' initiative, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the KHDA, said it plans to "develop an innovative evaluation system based on 21st century skills" whereby outstanding students will be presented electronic certificates of appreciation to honour their achievements in education.
It will also focus on the development of a social education model to ensure the welfare and happiness of the students - with the use of innovative engineering data at the forefront of its mission.
Some of the MUST HAVE school mobile apps
Bloxels > Bloxels Builder is a collaborative sandbox app that help kids demonstrate their personality in a fun one way. Players can use a mix of tools to create characters, challenges, environments, objectives and more.
Hopscotch > Hopscotch app makes coding easy. Students can make their own games and publish them instantly for anyone to play.
Tinybop > To refresh your science knowledge in a fun way, download Tinybop on your iPad and explore a working model of the body. Every part is interactive: the heart beats, guts gurgle, lungs breathe, the skin feels, and eyes see.
Quick Math > We all know how Math can be difficult and challenging. Quick Math is the perfect platform that allows students to practice and develop general arithmetic at their own level, while providing increasing levels of difficulty as children master arithmetic skills.
Zee's Alphabet > Learn Arabic easily with Zee Alphabet. The beautifully made app helps children practise writing the alphabet.
Kelly@khaleejtimes.com
Twitter @KellyAnn_Clarke