Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 03, 2020:   In collaboration with Dr Stacy Hackner, professor at UCL Arts & Sciences, UCL Qatar, a Qatar Foundation partner university, has created a toolkit to help parents and educators deliver creative object-based learning and inquiry. The toolkit facilitates learning and provides practical session plans to get parents and educators started. 

Object-Based Learning (OBL) is a type of educational practice that incorporates everyday objects and works of art, as well as first-hand experience for learning. This type of transformative learning technique is meant to provide an alternative to lecturing, copying, and memorizing. The format is based on facilitation whereby teachers guide students through a variety of activities, which ensures that all the learning objectives are met.   

“The Object-Based Learning toolkit is the latest addition to our series of online resources that is designed to broaden children’s knowledge, develop problem-solving skills and increase their interest in the subject matters presented,” said Shaima Sherif, Professional and Executive Education Coordinator at UCL Qatar. “We encourage parents and educators alike to download the toolkit and use it as a form of edutainment – particularly during the current restrictions imposed by COVID-19.”

In addition to the OBL toolkit, parents and educators can access all of UCL Qatar’s successful online resources. These include the Traditional Qatari Homes: Illustrated Presentation and Teachers Pack which targets children between the ages of 6 - 11 years and is based on the Origins of Doha and Qatar project. The resource introduces children to the main architectural features of a typical Qatari home and the everyday life of a Qatari family circa the 1930s/40s.

Let's Explore Archaeology: Illustrated Presentation and Teachers Pack targets children of the same group and is based on the results of the Crowded Desert Project. The presentation introduces students to the concept of archaeology from a desert environment and takes them on a journey from the start of searching for an object to its final resting place in a museum. 

Finally, children can explore Sudan’s rich heritage through the short story Sudan’s Ancient History: Hwida and Maawia Investigate MEROE’S IRON. The children’s book presents the pioneering archaeological work being done at the ancient Royal City of Meroe, as part of the Qatar-Sudan Archaeological Project (QSAP).