Ms Nelly KIRKOVA-KOSTOV is the Head Teacher of 32 Secondary Language School “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Sofia, Bulgaria. Together with her school team, she will host the 12th ASEF Classroom Network Conference “Coding 4 Education” on 16-20 November 2015 in Sofia, Bulgaria. ASEF interviewed Ms KIRKOVA-KOSTOV to know her views on this project.
Q. Why did you join the ASEF Classroom Network (ASEF ClassNet)?
My school joined the ASEF ClassNet because it provides tremendous opportunities to the participating educational institutions through international educational online projects. Communication between students from different Asian and European countries help develop many social skills and competences while communication between teachers and exchange of ideas and experience broadens their knowledge. Teachers are able to think beyond traditional methods and apply new approaches that help in improving the quality of education in our school.
Q. The topic of the 12th ASEF Classroom Network Conference is on coding and ICT. How do you integrate both in your daily curriculum?
The main objective in our school development plan is to gain experience in ICT, in order to modernise teaching methods but also to introduce techniques that increase students’ commitment. Effective integration of ICT in the educational system is a complex process that includes changes in technology (by investing initial capital), changes in curriculum and pedagogy, institutional willingness and teacher competencies. Our school has invested considerable funds to build a modern digital environment, and will try to implement all the innovative methodologies discussed at the conference in order to defend its position as an innovative school.
Q. What is your school’s interest in hosting the 12th ASEF Classroom Network Conference?
The conference provides us with the exceptional opportunity to enrich our knowledge and learning approaches through face-to-face communication, personal contacts and the sharing of experience with colleagues from different countries. At the same time, we enable the participants to familiarise themselves with the Bulgarian school system and our students’ achievements. In our school we strive to keep abreast with the development of our students, society and technology. That is why our school employs highly motivated teachers interested in the integration of innovative techniques and methods in the learning process. Being a school leader in new methodologies, it is a great honour for us to host this ASEF ClassNet conference.