Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) realized the “Hayat Akademisine İlk Adım” (First Step to Life Academy) project to support the educational and social development of primary school children. Activities and workshops were organized on many topics such as ‘critical thinking’, ‘generating original thoughts’ and ‘the importance of coding on paper’ for children aged 5-11 studying at Çiğli Harmandalı Primary School, as part of the exemplary project for Turkey. Thanks to the project, in which 10 academics from IUE took part voluntarily, a total of 722 children were reached out to. In addition to the activities for kindergarten and primary school students, online seminars on ‘instructional technology tools’, ‘classroom management’ and ‘communication with children’ were delivered to teachers.

EVERY PROJECT MADE FOR CHILDREN IS VALUABLE

Asst. Prof. Dr. Esin Çağlayan, Director of IUE Teaching and Learning Center, stated that they attach great importance to every step and project aimed at children who will participate in community life as adults of the future. Expressing that all the work for the students was completed in 25 days, Dr. Çağlayan said, “We held hands-on activities with children on different topics such as critical thinking, economics, healthy eating, the basis of coding on paper, architecture, children's yoga, foreign language culture and producing original thoughts. These activities were carried out face to face by IUE academics. The period between the ages of 5-11 covers a period in which children are very eager to learn and develop their creativity. From this point of view, it is clear how valuable and important the project we have implemented is.”

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE PROJECTS

Asst. Prof. Dr. Çağlayan continued as follows: “Children's awareness of their rights and responsibilities as well as their own interests and abilities will enable them to become happy and useful people in society. As the Teaching and Learning Center, we are happy to be able to contribute to 722 students with academic volunteers. I would like to thank all of faculty members, TLC staff Nazan Sakçı, Tuğrul Durak and Gözde Çalkaya for their valuable contributions, and the School Principal Ahmet Özortakçı for this cooperation. As the Teaching and Learning Center, we will continue to produce different projects with the aim of creating social benefit, especially in the education processes of children.”

ACADEMICS SUPPORTING THE PROJECT

Asst. Prof. Dr. Esin Çağlayan, Lecturer Antonio Ramirez, Lecturer Fatma Betül Özkul, Asst. Prof. Dr. İdil Göksel, Asst. Prof. Dr. Betül Öztürk, Lecturer Duygu Gizem Saygın, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ünsal Doğan Başkır, Lecturer Dr. Ece Küreli Gülpınar, Asst. Prof. Dr. Arzu Aşçı, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Sinem Tokçaer volunteered in the “Hayat Akademisine İlk Adım” (First Step to Life Academy) Project and designed activities related to their fields of expertise.