Stories: Children, Community, Future

At Phu Cuong Primary & Secondary School, located in the mountainous Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province, access to digital technology remains limited. A shortage of equipment has created significant barriers for both teachers and students in integrating technology into teaching and learning.

Ha Van Dung, a dedicated geography teacher and head of the school’s STEM club, shared, “I used to explore new educational software, but had to set it aside due to a lack of equipment. Most of the students here come from challenging backgrounds, so they don’t have smartphones to practice with.” For a long time, Dung harboured a desire to help his students gain digital knowledge and skills, but the lack of facilities was a major obstacle.

Things began to change when the “Empowering Digital Learning for All” project was implemented at Phu Cuong School. The school was equipped with a modern digital learning space featuring an interactive screen, a desktop computer, and 20 tablets. This equipment brought a fresh breeze into the teaching and learning activities at the school.

Dung couldn’t hide his joy, sharing, “With modern digital equipment, teaching and learning have become much easier. Now, we can innovate our teaching methods, placing students at the center, and assign projects for them to present and showcase their creativity.”

In addition to the modern equipment, teachers like Dung received training on advanced educational software, such as Mozabook, which uses 3D illustrations to help students observe and understand knowledge in a more direct way. Teachers were also guided on integrating artificial intelligence and creating interdisciplinary lesson plans. With these new skills and knowledge, teachers at Phu Cuong School have become more confident in crafting engaging, lively lessons tailored to their students.

Dung demonstrating lessons using Mozabook on the interactive screen 

T., a member of the STEM club, enthusiastically shared, “I’m so happy to participate in these exciting lessons. Using the tablet is something new to me, and I’m always eager and thrilled when I get to show everyone the video I made.”

T. presenting her newly made video

D., another student, echoed her excitement, saying, “I feel much more interested in classes like these. I’m really proud to have created a video on my own.”

D. and his friends practicing making videos on tablets

Thanks to the support of the project and Dung’s dedication, students at Phu Cuong Primary & Secondary School now have access to modern technology, gradually closing the gap with their peers in urban areas. Lessons have become more engaging, and students are more excited about participating in interactive activities, like using Quizzi to answer questions. Dung and his students are eagerly anticipating the upcoming STEM projects, where technology will continue to open new horizons, helping them develop skills and explore knowledge.

The story of Dung and his students at Phu Cuong stands as a testament to the power of digital education in transforming lives and the future of children in remote areas. With perseverance and passion, the teachers and students here are gradually overcoming challenges, moving towards a brighter future empowered by science and technology.