On September 27, 2023, the Metropolitan School of Panama hosted a workshop on digital tools for teaching as part of the Leadership Program for School Principals in the Educational Region of San Miguelito. The workshop was attended by a total of 45 participants, including school principals and lead teachers from local school in San Miguelito.
This program, an initiative in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (AmCham), has been at the forefront of educational leadership training in Panama since 2010. Developed in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Education in San Miguelito, under the Ministry of Education of Panama (MEDUCA), the program has been instrumental in transforming education in the region.
The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including:
1. Preparing for Education 4.0
2. Cultivating a Digital Mind
3. Access to Technology through Open Educational Resources
4. Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Augmented Reality
5. Digital Tools in Spanish Language Teaching
6. Online Libraries and Gaming
The overall goal of the workshop was to help educators learn how to use technology to enhance their teaching and learning practices. The workshop also highlighted the importance of STEAM education in developing critical thinking skills in children.
In addition to providing educational insights, during the workshop the Metropolitan School of Panama donated iPads to the school principals to enhance the technological learning experience in their classrooms.
Several teachers who attended the workshop expressed their enthusiasm for the experience. One teacher shared her excitement about how the furniture and learning spaces are designed to encourage collaborative work, while another educator emphasized how the materials are not assigned to students but shared at tables, fostering empathy and a sense of belonging among students. Teachers were also delighted with the school library concept of allowing children to take books and enjoy comfortable spaces that promote reading.
The Metropolitan School of Panama is committed to supporting the professional development of local teachers and actively contributing to the teaching and learning processes in Panama. The workshop on digital tools for teaching is just one example of how the Metropolitan School of Panama and its teachers are committed to raising the quality of Panamanian education in collaboration with the AmCham and Glasswing leadership programs, preparing students for the future.
