Today I went to get my hair cut, its not all I did but it’s the only thing I should write about to attempt in vain to keep you interested. (unless you want to hear about boxing training – Its going well, or tennis).
I haven’t had a hair cut since I have been in Abu Dhabi and today I bit the bullet. I hate getting my hair cut in England for the same reasons I hate going to lap-dancing clubs – The forced conversation.
I hate talking for the sake of talking and when someone is cutting my hair I prefer to just stare at myself in the mirror rather self consciously and not have to witter on about my next holiday or my plans for the weekend. (This is the same in lap dancing clubs, before you have the elusive lap dance, you have to go through the rigmarole of actually talking to the dancer. This is usually about exactly the same thing that a hair dresser will talk to you about – something I call a non-conversation)
Also you know you are going to head straight home to have a shower afterwards because of all the hair that falls down your back and itches like a mother-fucker.
These are not my only gripes, you have to book in advance and I hate having part of my day booked out in advance, in case something better comes along and I cant do it because I am getting my hair cut.
Also you have to tell a professional how to do his job when he asks what style you want – which inevitably leads to one of two, equally embarrassing, scenarios:
1. You awkwardly pull out a picture of David Beckham (or any other celebrity that you have printed off from the internet prior to coming) and mutter ‘like this please’ and then hang your head in shame as older and bigger boys have a stifled giggle. You know that they are thinking that ‘the best haircut in the world won’t make you look like that mate’ and you know that, you only printed off the picture so you don’t have to go through scenario 2:
2. ‘What can I do for you today?’ the barber asks. You're stunted, you can’t speak the lingo except for ‘short back and sides mate’ but you don’t want that. You don’t know what ‘blended on top means’ (you heard someone else say it last time you were in and it sounded cool) and you have no idea what to ask for without a picture from the internet.
It’s a minefield.
Today I walked into the barber and ill tell you now, it was great.(But weird)
First of all, the guy couldn’t speak English so that got the conversation worries out of the way. I then said ‘Short’ he said ‘all short’ I said yes. He then cut my hair.
Not only was there no conversation, they have personal televisions with English films showing. The barber puts an elasticized (or elasticated) robe around your neck, rather than a heavy clampy thing that they put on top of the cover in England, that stops all the hair getting down your back.
Anyway, now comes the problem of the title, after my hair (and beard) cut was finished he started massaging my head. It felt really good. I think he was getting a bit carried away though because the barber, while rigorously rubbing, scratching and massaging my head, was letting out little groans that sounded remarkably like sex noises.
This, albeit off putting for a second, was ok. Well, it wasn’t ok but the feeling of head (massage) was sufficient enough for me to not ask him to stop. I drifted off into a half-sleep.
Next thing I know, the chair was moving forwards little bits, almost a rocking sensation. Now, and I may be mistaken, I think he was rubbing his junk against the back of the chair while massaging my head. While making pleasurable little noises.
I STAYED!
He finished (not like that – I hope) and I paid, with a slightly to big of a tip, and left, relaxed and worried.
My hair, you don’t ask, is too short but I like it.
All joking aside, the service that people give here is great. It does border on annoying sometimes though (Sometimes I like to shop without an enthusiastic Asian ex-pat following me around a sports shop - and I mean a part-of-a-chain sports shop, not an independent one - trying to flog me everything I even glance at with cries of 'very nice sir, you want sir?')
At the hotels they fill up your drink before the last one is finished, and take away your plate the second you put down your fork.
At the supermarket there is a worker there that packs your shopping bag and carries it to the valeted car park (where they will wash your car while you shop for about 3 quid (5 dollars America :))
It is really something when you see up to five workers cleaning the ground of an underground carpark to make it look sparkly, when the windows of the skyscrapers are cleaned every day.
All this is because there is money here, they can afford to give these people jobs to do anything.
There is no recession in Abu Dhabi.
(There are issues with these jobs and the treatment of the workers but I will save that for another article)
Friday, 9 November 2012
Monday, 15 October 2012
Corporate Contender
It is actually happening. On the 14th of December 2012 I will step into an Olympic sized boxing ring and make my fighting debut. Yesterday I arrived home from work to find a message in my inbox from Michael Haddins (Owner of Haddin’s Gym) asking if I was still interested in joining the corporate contender programme and if I could come along to the gym tonight for the first session. I quickly cancelled my karaoke plans and made my way down there.
Corporate Contender is a bit like celebrity boxing in that you get put on an intensive, 9-week programme to learn the skill of boxing and get into fighting shape. At the end of the 9 week training course the contenders are put into a ring in a stadium, under lights, tables surrounding the ring, our own entrance music and ring announcer and even an entourage. We then fight against an opponent who has also trained for nine weeks for 3 rounds of 2 minutes.
Having grown up watching boxing at every opportunity, real and staged, this was an opportunity for me to live the dream of winning an actual boxing match of my own. (Don’t get it twisted, I am training to win, not to take part). There is no doubt in my mind that for the next 9 weeks I will be eating, sleeping and breathing boxing. I will be watching the Rocky films, back to back; I will be jumping up at the screen and fighting alongside DeNiro in raging bull. I will be looking up the training schedules of Christian Bale and Marky Mark for when they trained to star in the fighter.
Most importantly, I have already started to download the Sylvester Stallone reality TV show ‘The Contender’ and will be emulating their workouts and drills. I shall also be watching Ricky Gervais VS Ben Fogle fight (that Ricky won) as I think I will have the weight advantage, but not the speed, height, reach or fitness advantage. In this fight, I will no doubt be the Ricky!
This challenge is also going to mean a temporary but drastic change in lifestyle for me. This is exceptionally important as I know the other guys will be training hard. There is no better motivation for getting rid of my slightly, ok very, hedonistic lifestyle than the fact that I will get beat up in front of all my friends if I don’t.
As of today I will not be smoking any cigarettes, nor drinking any beer, nor eating any cake. I will not be getting seconds for dinner and I will not be taking money to school to buy Zatar. (an Arabic flatbread folded over green herbs – carb central). I will be training at least once a day and will not be going out drinking.
Those of you that know me know that this will be impossible for me under normal circumstances (or even extreme ones like this – MMA fighter anyone?) as I love drinking almost as much as I love smoking and junk food but now is the time. The way I will get through it is to keep thinking how hard my opponent is training.
As I walked into the first session at the gym I was visibly nervous (I was first there as I had to register) but luckily I had calmed down by the time others arrived as I didn’t want them getting the edge straight away. I tried to be as manly as possible, looking right at them as we shook hands meeting for the first time. (something that does not come naturally to me, but, as the saying goes, fake it until you make it)
There was a very small, but very real hint of tension in the gym until the organizer came over and broke it by proclaiming ‘look at you all measuring each other up, wondering who your opponent will be’. As this was so obviously true we laughed and relaxed a bit.
We had to go round the circle and introduce ourselves. I hate this as I always feel under pressure to say something funny, I don’t know why, but it always comes off as smarmy and for others it looks like I am trying too hard.
This time, being a bit more aware about how people should behave in these situations from watching others, I simply said my name (consciously trying to appear as confident as I could) then followed, a little self-deprecatingly, (Really need to stop trying to appeal to people) that I
‘was here to lose weight.’
Then I realized this looked weak so followed that up with
‘and truthfully, I just want a fight’
This made people laugh, albeit a little awkwardly, and I restrained myself from making further comment with a turn of my head to encourage the man sitting next to me to start his social torture.
Overall, I think it was a good showing, I think I conveyed a small amount of toughness (I accentuated the Manc accent for effect too, as I am always more intimidated when someone threatens me with an accent) that maybe made up for my body shape (fat – see picture).
The session itself was good, it tired me out but I wasn’t as out of puff as some of the guys there and I kept going hard until the end. Tomorrow we get our gloves and wraps and I think then it will become more real.
This is a picture of me now, taken just today (15th October 2012). I will be using this as motivation and every two weeks will take another one to compare.
One more thing, and I need your help with it. I need both a song to come out to the ring with and a boxing nickname. Suggestions below please!
Corporate Contender is a bit like celebrity boxing in that you get put on an intensive, 9-week programme to learn the skill of boxing and get into fighting shape. At the end of the 9 week training course the contenders are put into a ring in a stadium, under lights, tables surrounding the ring, our own entrance music and ring announcer and even an entourage. We then fight against an opponent who has also trained for nine weeks for 3 rounds of 2 minutes.
Having grown up watching boxing at every opportunity, real and staged, this was an opportunity for me to live the dream of winning an actual boxing match of my own. (Don’t get it twisted, I am training to win, not to take part). There is no doubt in my mind that for the next 9 weeks I will be eating, sleeping and breathing boxing. I will be watching the Rocky films, back to back; I will be jumping up at the screen and fighting alongside DeNiro in raging bull. I will be looking up the training schedules of Christian Bale and Marky Mark for when they trained to star in the fighter.
Most importantly, I have already started to download the Sylvester Stallone reality TV show ‘The Contender’ and will be emulating their workouts and drills. I shall also be watching Ricky Gervais VS Ben Fogle fight (that Ricky won) as I think I will have the weight advantage, but not the speed, height, reach or fitness advantage. In this fight, I will no doubt be the Ricky!
This challenge is also going to mean a temporary but drastic change in lifestyle for me. This is exceptionally important as I know the other guys will be training hard. There is no better motivation for getting rid of my slightly, ok very, hedonistic lifestyle than the fact that I will get beat up in front of all my friends if I don’t.
As of today I will not be smoking any cigarettes, nor drinking any beer, nor eating any cake. I will not be getting seconds for dinner and I will not be taking money to school to buy Zatar. (an Arabic flatbread folded over green herbs – carb central). I will be training at least once a day and will not be going out drinking.
Those of you that know me know that this will be impossible for me under normal circumstances (or even extreme ones like this – MMA fighter anyone?) as I love drinking almost as much as I love smoking and junk food but now is the time. The way I will get through it is to keep thinking how hard my opponent is training.
As I walked into the first session at the gym I was visibly nervous (I was first there as I had to register) but luckily I had calmed down by the time others arrived as I didn’t want them getting the edge straight away. I tried to be as manly as possible, looking right at them as we shook hands meeting for the first time. (something that does not come naturally to me, but, as the saying goes, fake it until you make it)
There was a very small, but very real hint of tension in the gym until the organizer came over and broke it by proclaiming ‘look at you all measuring each other up, wondering who your opponent will be’. As this was so obviously true we laughed and relaxed a bit.
We had to go round the circle and introduce ourselves. I hate this as I always feel under pressure to say something funny, I don’t know why, but it always comes off as smarmy and for others it looks like I am trying too hard.
This time, being a bit more aware about how people should behave in these situations from watching others, I simply said my name (consciously trying to appear as confident as I could) then followed, a little self-deprecatingly, (Really need to stop trying to appeal to people) that I
‘was here to lose weight.’
Then I realized this looked weak so followed that up with
‘and truthfully, I just want a fight’
This made people laugh, albeit a little awkwardly, and I restrained myself from making further comment with a turn of my head to encourage the man sitting next to me to start his social torture.
Overall, I think it was a good showing, I think I conveyed a small amount of toughness (I accentuated the Manc accent for effect too, as I am always more intimidated when someone threatens me with an accent) that maybe made up for my body shape (fat – see picture).
The session itself was good, it tired me out but I wasn’t as out of puff as some of the guys there and I kept going hard until the end. Tomorrow we get our gloves and wraps and I think then it will become more real.
This is a picture of me now, taken just today (15th October 2012). I will be using this as motivation and every two weeks will take another one to compare.
One more thing, and I need your help with it. I need both a song to come out to the ring with and a boxing nickname. Suggestions below please!
School
School is fine, and I will not bore you with stories. Instead, I will give a rundown of the differences between Abu Dhabi School life and that of England (and probably the US and Canada too)
1. The students are in charge
Never have I worked in a place where students have so much power and influence over the administration. A couple of times the students have asked for a new teacher and they got it. They can also request to leave early en-mass and they get it. It is worth noting that it is usually the Emirati students that get this privilege.
(Emiratis are the cream of the crop here and can basically do what they want, don’t get me wrong, they are very good people and also generous and hospitable – its just that they get preference, and it is their country)
2. Things change – frequently
My timetable has been changed at least 3 times a week since I arrived. I have even been transferred to a different school. There is a great fluidity here that keeps you on your toes and stops you from falling into a routine.
3. It is more relaxed
This is already changing and creeping in, but there is an absence of homework, not much monitoring of marking, only for formal assessment, no deadlines and an embracing of the saying ‘insha Allah’ (which I spoke about in a previous post). Students cheating? No problem, let them. There is an attitude here of that if the student wants to cheat, he/she will be found out eventually and they won’t get far. There is also the fact that if a child cheats in a test by looking at somebodies work, it is not actually cheating because he now knows the correct answer. I love it.
4. There is no martyrdom in the school amongst teachers
Everyone leaves when the bell goes with the students. Principal, administration and the teachers. If someone ever does stay behind and work they are met with almost unanimous suspicion. In England there is little solidarity between teachers (there is some mind) and for some, it almost seems like they want to be seen staying behind as it makes them look dedicated and a Martyr or education. I think if it takes somebody 4 hours after school to do something and it takes me 30 minutes, I should be the one that is seen as more professional. Arabic culture has a hierarchal priorities list with family, friends and religion all coming above work. If you need to leave early to pick up children or see your Father, nobody questions it.
5. The students, contrary to popular belief, and stories from other teachers, are well behaved.
I can’t talk for all students as I only teach grade 12 and 11 with a small experience with grade 10 at the previous school, but they are immaculately behaved.
( I do know that people that teach cycle 1 (Kindergarten – grade 5) have a much more difficult time dealing with ‘feral’ kids )
It is hard to teach the boys, don’t get me wrong, but there is little rudeness and no threatening or intimidating behavior to deal with like it can be in inner city schools in the UK. The main problem is talking – which is cultural and ingrained into them (even during assembly when the kids are quiet, the Arabic adults all speak loudly to, and over, each other while the kids are reading verses from the Qur’an) but there is nothing I can do about that.
The other issue is Laziness, but that isn’t a difference so I don’t need to talk about that – Kids everywhere can be lazy.
All in all I am enjoying my teaching experience and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of coming here to work. The money is great – not like in England!
1. The students are in charge
Never have I worked in a place where students have so much power and influence over the administration. A couple of times the students have asked for a new teacher and they got it. They can also request to leave early en-mass and they get it. It is worth noting that it is usually the Emirati students that get this privilege.
(Emiratis are the cream of the crop here and can basically do what they want, don’t get me wrong, they are very good people and also generous and hospitable – its just that they get preference, and it is their country)
2. Things change – frequently
My timetable has been changed at least 3 times a week since I arrived. I have even been transferred to a different school. There is a great fluidity here that keeps you on your toes and stops you from falling into a routine.
3. It is more relaxed
This is already changing and creeping in, but there is an absence of homework, not much monitoring of marking, only for formal assessment, no deadlines and an embracing of the saying ‘insha Allah’ (which I spoke about in a previous post). Students cheating? No problem, let them. There is an attitude here of that if the student wants to cheat, he/she will be found out eventually and they won’t get far. There is also the fact that if a child cheats in a test by looking at somebodies work, it is not actually cheating because he now knows the correct answer. I love it.
4. There is no martyrdom in the school amongst teachers
Everyone leaves when the bell goes with the students. Principal, administration and the teachers. If someone ever does stay behind and work they are met with almost unanimous suspicion. In England there is little solidarity between teachers (there is some mind) and for some, it almost seems like they want to be seen staying behind as it makes them look dedicated and a Martyr or education. I think if it takes somebody 4 hours after school to do something and it takes me 30 minutes, I should be the one that is seen as more professional. Arabic culture has a hierarchal priorities list with family, friends and religion all coming above work. If you need to leave early to pick up children or see your Father, nobody questions it.
5. The students, contrary to popular belief, and stories from other teachers, are well behaved.
I can’t talk for all students as I only teach grade 12 and 11 with a small experience with grade 10 at the previous school, but they are immaculately behaved.
( I do know that people that teach cycle 1 (Kindergarten – grade 5) have a much more difficult time dealing with ‘feral’ kids )
It is hard to teach the boys, don’t get me wrong, but there is little rudeness and no threatening or intimidating behavior to deal with like it can be in inner city schools in the UK. The main problem is talking – which is cultural and ingrained into them (even during assembly when the kids are quiet, the Arabic adults all speak loudly to, and over, each other while the kids are reading verses from the Qur’an) but there is nothing I can do about that.
The other issue is Laziness, but that isn’t a difference so I don’t need to talk about that – Kids everywhere can be lazy.
All in all I am enjoying my teaching experience and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of coming here to work. The money is great – not like in England!
Bragging much?
The Yas Hotel
This is a bit braggy so feel free to skip over this post
- We get free breakfast and lunch
- Every evening we can help ourselves from the 5 star buffet
- We can get our laundry done for free
- THE FORMULA ONE ABU DHABI TRACK GOES AROUND THE HOTEL
- We have been go karting there
- We have cycled around the F1 track
More Bragging
- I stayed a night in Atlantis Dubai after enjoying Dizzee Rascal at Sand dance.
- I visited the Aquaventure waterpark in Dubai (it has slides that go uphill)
- I am going to watch 50 Cent, Craig David, Nelly and duffy in concert next week.
This is a bit braggy so feel free to skip over this post
- We get free breakfast and lunch
- Every evening we can help ourselves from the 5 star buffet
- We can get our laundry done for free
- THE FORMULA ONE ABU DHABI TRACK GOES AROUND THE HOTEL
- We have been go karting there
- We have cycled around the F1 track
More Bragging
- I stayed a night in Atlantis Dubai after enjoying Dizzee Rascal at Sand dance.
- I visited the Aquaventure waterpark in Dubai (it has slides that go uphill)
- I am going to watch 50 Cent, Craig David, Nelly and duffy in concert next week.
The Great Al Rayyana Collapse
If you read a few posts back – OK, I realize I haven’t written for a long time, you will see that I have recently moved in to my new apartments. I have just finished furnishing the place with bed, sofa, TV etc when, as I was just about to eat my dinner that Mother had made (Oh yeah, my Mum was visiting at the time) when there was a shake. At first I thought it was an Earthquake but then rested on the fact that it was just somebody upstairs washing their clothes in a noisy washing machine.
Then my phone started ringing, then I got a text, then a knock at the door. It was my friends, running around the corridor Rambo-esque knocking on doors and telling people to look out the window. I looked. This is what I saw –
Basically the carpark and courtyard area of our building had collapsed and it had fallen one story into the underground carpark. Luckily nobody was hurt (better get that bit out of the way – sorry to ruin the ending of the story) but we all had to stand around outside after being officially evacuated.
My Mum wasn’t wearing shoes and she missed her flight as the passport and luggage were left inside and nobody was allowed in to the building to retrieve them.
The collapse cause a fair amount of anxiety for a lot of people, especially those with young children as it made people think of all the inevitable ‘what ifs’ and obviously, the fact we were forced out of our homes.
Before you all feel sorry for me though – read on
About four hours after the collapse we were shuttled via bus, to this fine looking establishment.
The Yas hotel is amazing, just as I was getting used to having to cook and clean for myself I find myself in a world famous hotel (2 weeks and counting now) with all my friends. My Mum even got to stay a night.
Then my phone started ringing, then I got a text, then a knock at the door. It was my friends, running around the corridor Rambo-esque knocking on doors and telling people to look out the window. I looked. This is what I saw –
Basically the carpark and courtyard area of our building had collapsed and it had fallen one story into the underground carpark. Luckily nobody was hurt (better get that bit out of the way – sorry to ruin the ending of the story) but we all had to stand around outside after being officially evacuated.
My Mum wasn’t wearing shoes and she missed her flight as the passport and luggage were left inside and nobody was allowed in to the building to retrieve them.
The collapse cause a fair amount of anxiety for a lot of people, especially those with young children as it made people think of all the inevitable ‘what ifs’ and obviously, the fact we were forced out of our homes.
Before you all feel sorry for me though – read on
About four hours after the collapse we were shuttled via bus, to this fine looking establishment.
The Yas hotel is amazing, just as I was getting used to having to cook and clean for myself I find myself in a world famous hotel (2 weeks and counting now) with all my friends. My Mum even got to stay a night.
Friday, 14 September 2012
Planking in the U.A.E
I'm a bit of a child sometimes. I find really stupid things funny. Planking is one of these things. Here are some pictures.
Bars
In a bar. This was a great night as it was ladies night. This meant that women only paid 1 AED. (20p) for a cocktail. It was one of my favourite nights here as not only was I getting free drinks but I didn't have to go to the bar all night.
All night I had girls bringing me drinks from the bar. Suffice to say, I got very drunk and was in a brilliant mood. So I planked.
Ladies nights happen all over the city and there is one on every night of the week. This means that girls can pretty much drink for free every night of the week. And if I tag along, so can I. :) I love Abu Dhabi!
This is also in a bar. Surfing on top of me is my Habibi Andy. He likes to get involved and it makes planking more fun if an American is going to surf on you.
Hotel team plank
Planking is contagious. These are my new friends Kirby and Cory. They are great plankers and I hope to be planking with them again soon.
This was after a heavy night out in the lobby of a 5* hotel. Planking is more fun where people don't expect it. The concierge thought it was hilarious. (To our faces)
Water based planks
Planks don't have to be on dry land!
You can hardly see me in this one - but if you look closely. I am planking on an inflatable, water based climbing wall.
Nightclub plank
This is my favourite one. It is a shame you can not see the reactions of the people stood around.
Basically, there was a dance off going on and people were break dancing in the centre of a circle. I ran up, told people to stand back and to clear a space - I then made a show of psyching myself up, deep breathing as if I was going to do something spectacular. Then planked!
and finally....
The camel plank
I know, I know, I am not in a proper plank position. But the camel kept moving and I had to do it quickly or I may have got into trouble. (Thanks to Cathy for distracting the Bedouin for long enough)
My next post will be serious. Maybe
Bars
In a bar. This was a great night as it was ladies night. This meant that women only paid 1 AED. (20p) for a cocktail. It was one of my favourite nights here as not only was I getting free drinks but I didn't have to go to the bar all night.
All night I had girls bringing me drinks from the bar. Suffice to say, I got very drunk and was in a brilliant mood. So I planked.
Ladies nights happen all over the city and there is one on every night of the week. This means that girls can pretty much drink for free every night of the week. And if I tag along, so can I. :) I love Abu Dhabi!
This is also in a bar. Surfing on top of me is my Habibi Andy. He likes to get involved and it makes planking more fun if an American is going to surf on you.
Hotel team plank
Planking is contagious. These are my new friends Kirby and Cory. They are great plankers and I hope to be planking with them again soon.
This was after a heavy night out in the lobby of a 5* hotel. Planking is more fun where people don't expect it. The concierge thought it was hilarious. (To our faces)
Water based planks
Planks don't have to be on dry land!
You can hardly see me in this one - but if you look closely. I am planking on an inflatable, water based climbing wall.
Nightclub plank
This is my favourite one. It is a shame you can not see the reactions of the people stood around.
Basically, there was a dance off going on and people were break dancing in the centre of a circle. I ran up, told people to stand back and to clear a space - I then made a show of psyching myself up, deep breathing as if I was going to do something spectacular. Then planked!
and finally....
The camel plank
I know, I know, I am not in a proper plank position. But the camel kept moving and I had to do it quickly or I may have got into trouble. (Thanks to Cathy for distracting the Bedouin for long enough)
My next post will be serious. Maybe
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Bedaya
Today was the first official day at work and it was pretty eye opening. All 6000 teachers from Abu Dhabi were put into a room and were given a talk by the head of education. This was quite possibly the biggest room I have ever been in.
The speech, although long, was a little bit inspiring. The ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) told us all about it’s aims for the next 30 years. They, in a nutshell, want all the Emirati students to be equipped for life in the 21st century. They want us to raise the standard in ‘Critical thinking’ and to equip students for jobs that have not been invented yet.
They want to invest in people for when the oil has run out (expected to be in 100 years) and would like to be leaders in future industries such as nanotechnology, robotics, bio-engineering, augmented reality and environmental conservation.
I am very impressed with what I heard and saw over the past few orientation sessions. Yes, it was self-congratulatory, but it is also extremely ambitious and I was impressed at the scope. It is not like England where things are talked about and not implemented. Here, it seems they really listen to educational experts and don’t let politics get in the way of progress.
They are mindful that the old ways were not going to be sufficient. There is no point in teaching kids to memorise facts and figures because all they need to do is look it up on their Ipads or smart phones and it will be in front of them in seconds. Who knows, in the near future we may have a computer chip in our heads as an implant with all the world’s acquired knowledge on it.
What we, as educators, are needed for is instilling a curiosity for new information, but even more importantly, how to judge the information (is it sound? Who says? What is the opposing view? How many people in the sample?) for validity.
The most important thing at all though is teaching them how to use the information once they have it up on their smartphones.
That, it seems, is what ADEC want to do, along with fostering social skills and working creatively with others.
That can only be a good thing right?
On the other hand, this was all talk at this stage. I have yet to teach a day in a school and I haven’t even spoke to a teacher who has. That will change tomorrow when I actually go into the school that I am working in and I am really hoping that ADEC’s views and ideas are being used rather than just paying lip service to them.
The speech, although long, was a little bit inspiring. The ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) told us all about it’s aims for the next 30 years. They, in a nutshell, want all the Emirati students to be equipped for life in the 21st century. They want us to raise the standard in ‘Critical thinking’ and to equip students for jobs that have not been invented yet.
They want to invest in people for when the oil has run out (expected to be in 100 years) and would like to be leaders in future industries such as nanotechnology, robotics, bio-engineering, augmented reality and environmental conservation.
I am very impressed with what I heard and saw over the past few orientation sessions. Yes, it was self-congratulatory, but it is also extremely ambitious and I was impressed at the scope. It is not like England where things are talked about and not implemented. Here, it seems they really listen to educational experts and don’t let politics get in the way of progress.
They are mindful that the old ways were not going to be sufficient. There is no point in teaching kids to memorise facts and figures because all they need to do is look it up on their Ipads or smart phones and it will be in front of them in seconds. Who knows, in the near future we may have a computer chip in our heads as an implant with all the world’s acquired knowledge on it.
What we, as educators, are needed for is instilling a curiosity for new information, but even more importantly, how to judge the information (is it sound? Who says? What is the opposing view? How many people in the sample?) for validity.
The most important thing at all though is teaching them how to use the information once they have it up on their smartphones.
That, it seems, is what ADEC want to do, along with fostering social skills and working creatively with others.
That can only be a good thing right?
On the other hand, this was all talk at this stage. I have yet to teach a day in a school and I haven’t even spoke to a teacher who has. That will change tomorrow when I actually go into the school that I am working in and I am really hoping that ADEC’s views and ideas are being used rather than just paying lip service to them.
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