The Benefits of Using Technology in the Classroom

Coat of arms of Suriname

Suriname

National Anthem

God zij met ons Suriname.

Hij verheff' ons heerlijk land.

Hoe wij hier ook samen kwamen,

aan zijn grond zijn wij verpand.

Werkend houden w'in gedachten

recht en waarheid maken vrij.

Al wat goed is te betrachten

dat geeft aan ons land waardij.

Surinamese flag

Opo kondre man oen opo

Sranan gron e kari oen.

Wans ope tata komopo

wi mu seti kondre boen.

Stre def' stre, wi no sa frede

Gado de wi fesi man.

Heri libi te na dede,

wi sa feti gi Sranan.

Language

The Dutch is officially used in Suriname. The Sranan Tongo (or Surinamese) is the second language.

In addition, the Sarnami (Surinamese Hindustaans) also exists as the most common language.
Other languages that are widely spoken are the Javanese, Chinese, and the various Marron languages, such as the Saramaccan and the Aucans.

Religions

The multi-ethnic society of Suriname has different religions. This way you will encounter different types of religious buildings such as cathedrals, mosques, synagogues and temples. In addition to Christianity as the most beloved religion, Suriname also knows Hinduism, Islam, and other traditional religions as the Winti faith.

Mosque and synagogue in Par'bo

An overview of religions:

• 40.7% Christianity
• 19.9% Hinduism
• 13.5% Islam
• 5.8% traditional and other religions
• 4.4% no religion
• 15.7% no data

Economy

Suriname has a large labor force in the government. And then in the sectors such as trade, mining, agriculture or industry. The income from the mining sector contributes significantly to the Surinamese economy, now the gold sector. Some products from Surinam state-owned companies include: petroleum, gas, bacoven, electricity, water and telecommunications.

The economic activity of private local businesses focuses primarily on trade and services and less on industry. Some of the major trading partners in Suriname are: the United States of America, the Netherlands, Belgium, China, Japan, France, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago

SRD

The currency of Suriname is the SRD, the Surinamese dollar.

Interview

Students:

Students

" It is very irritating and hot in the class in summer. The class is small for 30 kids and it is difficult moving around, even when we sit in rows. If a student sit up front than they are too close of the blackboard, if they sit at the back than they are too far. Sitting at the back makes following on the blackboard difficult and also listening to the teacher difficult."

Teachers:

St. Cecilia school

"Over the years, the number of students has actually been greatly increased. But there are no or few rooms and schools built, leaving students just in one class. The number has increade from under 25 students per class to even over 30 students per class. But still we manage to do the impossible. I wish that there were more modern schools built."

Teaching now

Teaching at school is done the "old fashion" way, where students sit in rows and follow the teacher. Everything is written on the blackboard and then copied in the excercise book. Assignments are practiced together with the teacher in the classroom and then homework is given. At last the students are graded after they made their exam. (written)

Different learners

There are 4 main types of learners:

Visual learners

They perform better if they can see and visualize solutions for a problem. So working with pictures, video's and charts gets them engaged.

Auditory learners

Listening just to the information or problem is enough to get them engaged. To understand a information better they like to repeat or say it loud, so that they can memorize or understand the information/ problem. Such learners prefer reading.

Reading/ Writing learners

These learners love to read and to write. Understanding or memorizing information is best done by reading and writing a summary. They love written quizzes and writing.

Kinesthetic learners

Moving around, doing stuff, making something is their thing. It is better to give them hands-on assignments, which they love to solve.
Other learners are: social learners, solitary learners, mathematical, and combinations of learner types.

Why and how teaching

So why the writing? Why only the blackboard or some drawing on the blackboard? Why the textbooks? And why only written exam or written assignments?

The children of the 21st century have other hobbies than the children before. They love watching movies, playing games, or just busy online chatting.

Ideas

Some helpfull tools examples:

Youtube (educational video's)
SCAMPER
TOONDOO
Kahoot
PollEv
Socrative
Phet Simulations
and many more

These are some examples what can be used in the classes of Suriname. But because of the economical state of Suriname now, it won't be possible to invest in the technology in school.

But there are other ways to teach differently.

Here are some video of BEIP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5cQrMCves4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVtBrggxW_A&t=71s

BEIP is an innovation program of Education in Suriname. This is the beginning, a test, to change the whole education system to enhance the performance of students.

STREAM-

Science Technology Reading Engineering Art Mathematics

To embed STREAM in the education system will help all the 4 types of learners.

The Suriname School System

We can use tools to visualize the subject with some video's, in combination with some text and group projects. Use examples of the direct area, and work with cheap materials to create something. No internet, no problem. Download the video's before. (Technology)
Use Kahoot as refreshment, and repetition for a subject (quiz)
Simulations can be done to explain a certain subject, then make a group of students do a group assignment in the class using the available materials. (salt, sugar, vinegar, wood, string, etc.)
Working with puzzles to solve problems. These puzzles are made by the students in the class using cardboard, paper, etc. ( math) This is a form of Art. (Art)
Reading is already done in the classroom, but it would be fun if the teacher could tape the subject. Like a audiobook, but just in parts. That would be different and fun listening.
Create a bouncy egg to explain about acid. Show a video and let the students do it (Science). Some examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MHn9Q5NtdY
Physics is a subject in which many students struggle. Mostly are practical assignments done in the high school. But there are some fun assignments for the kids to explain a certain topic. An example video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOapjyd-4oY
Multiplication is also a topic in which many students struggle in Suriname. So we can do it like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh7xapVB-Wk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2IQB9I7zX0

An example of the STREAM lesson.

Check this link of a lesson plan:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19dGq_9L5QmE3uUGTEgXZXMtAv4_18WiM4bszj4ZBpxo/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs