Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has this week launched a website built specifically to support PNG’s school teachers.
The website content was first tested on BbP’s 42 Teacher-librarians from the organisations’ Library Learning Centres across the country during a Digital Teacher Training, which took place in December 2020.
The digital training program and associated website has been developed in partnership with Deloitte and Deloitte Digital and is valued at more than AUD $100,000.
The website is free to use for all and provides access to topics such as basic computer functions, creating and printing documents, introduction to tablets, online safety and using digital learning in the classroom.
The website https://www.bbpdigitallearning.org has simple and easy to follow “how to” instructions, many links and guides such as how to use YouTube in the classroom, getting started with Google Classroom, top tips for effective online learning, understanding online risks and much more.
Many teachers in PNG have not had the opportunity to use computers and tablets as part of their teacher training and will greatly benefit from this comprehensive and easy to use website.
The website covers everything that a teacher will need all in one place but the site can be used by anyone seeking to improve their digital skills.
Thanks to the skills teachers will gain from using this website, they will feel more confident and ready to enable their students to safely enter the digital world and learn from meaningful content.
The website is the result of months of team work and daily Zoom meetings between the amazing Deloitte Digital team, Deloitte and BbP to purpose-build the site to suit the needs of PNG’s teachers.
All BbP’s Library Learning Centres will see the implementation of a new Digital Learning Program in 2021 for the enrolled 5-year-old children. BbP’s Teacher-Librarians have attended the Digital Training Program and will use the website provided by BbP, to ensure they have the digital and online skills and ready to deliver the program.
Anne-Sophie Hermann, Buk bilong Pikinini Founder & Chairperson said: “We are so thrilled to be able to introduce such a comprehensive website and digital training program to teachers across PNG. We will be looking forward to hearing from those using the new website and training many more teachers over the next couple of years.
We need to ensure teachers in PNG can fully take advantage of what technology and digital learning can offer and pass this knowledge on to the next generation. We have greatly enjoyed working with Deloitte and Deloitte Digital volunteers to develop this customized website and training program and would like to sincerely thank everyone involved.”
Pete Williams, Deloitte Digital said: “With the explosive growth of mobiles and recent investment in digital infrastructure in Papua New Guinea we believe that building the digital capabilities of teachers and students will create a new era in education. Digital education content and books that are freely available on the internet can be made accessible to schools across the country. It is crucial that teachers and students understand how to take advantage of the opportunity. Expanding our existing partnership with Buk Bilong Pikinini will make this a reality and scale the fantastic work they are already doing. The Deloitte Digital team have put their hearts and souls into building the website and are really excited to be part of this collaboration.”
Benjamin Lee, Managing Partner Deloitte PNG said: “Deloitte has a longstanding relationship with Buk bilong Pikinini that has benefited both of our organisations but, most importantly, so many PNG children for whom the best possible education is so important.
A digital platform that takes advantage of new technologies can clearly facilitate new ways of both teaching and learning across the board. The focus has been on traditional literacy, but digital literacy, which is key to many employment opportunities, is also now more accessible than ever.
We look forward to seeing this initiative into implementation and give children an even better opportunity to learn and reach their potential.”
Leanne Resson, Buk bilong Pikinini, Exceutive Officer said: “We have been fortunate to have books and teaching and learning resources over the last 12 years in order to establish a solid foundation for the children who attend our library learning centres. We now acknowledge and appreciate the need to merge traditional and digital learning. This website and training program will enhance teachers’ and community educators’ skills in digital learning. We are grateful to all our partners who have supported us in making this happen”.
The Digital training program and website has been made possible thanks to the support received from Deloitte/Deloitte Digital, ExxonMobilPNG, PNG Air, Cogniss, Paddy’s Hotel, Niunet and the PNGAus Partnership.