Digital project to virtually connect Amman, Germany schools

AMMAN — As of the beginning of the new school year in Jordan, two schools from Amman are getting in touch with the Dannewerk and Domschule schools in the city of Schleswig in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's northernmost federal state, as part of a digital pilot project.

Students from Al Asriyya School from the PASCH network and Al Saadah Schools will exchange opinions on a regular basis in live digital sessions on topics in the fields of politics, society, economy, environment and sustainability, according to a statement from the Goethe-Institut Amman.

The distance of 4,500km between the two countries will be crossed virtually, read the statement.

The project is organised by the Goethe-Institut Amman in coordination with the German project initiator Klaus-Peter Katzer, according to the statement.

By working together over a period of six months on topics and tasks of their choice, the groups of students in both countries develop their digital skills, “broaden their horizons” and get to know the conditions and culture of the respective partner country, the statement said.

The pupils' contributions are collected on a digital platform.

“In addition to the experience and benefit the students are gaining from this digital project, the supervising teachers in 2021 will have the opportunity to visit the respective partner schools abroad and thus make contacts that will last beyond this pilot project,” said Brigitte Brand, teaching expert and Head of PASCH/German Education Cooperation Department, in the statement.

The project is financed by the Ministry of Education of Schleswig-Holstein and by the PASCH initiative of the German educational cooperation programme, Brand said.

On September 7, the kick-off event marked the first digital exchange between the participating German schools, teachers and students, Jordanian teachers and representatives of German authorities. 

Minister for Education, Science and Culture of the State of Schleswig-Holstein Karin Prien supports digital education and skills and was open to questions from students during this virtual meeting, the statement said.

The first digital sessions of the student exchange are expected to take place by the end of October.