Higher Education Institution-school collaboration: The wonders of pedagogical coworking

The Department of Pedagogy at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Social Sciences of the M.Kh. Dulati  Taraz University held a regional practical seminar titled “Higher Education Institution-School Collaboration: Developing the Professional Competencies of Modern Educators” at the Koktal General Secondary School in the Bayzak District of the Zhambyl Region. The seminar was organized within the framework of the scientific project AR19680242 “Creating a Collaborative Digital Education Environment in Higher Education Institutions in the Context of the Modernization of the Pedagogical Education System in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023-2025.

The seminar was attended by renowned scholars and faculty members from higher education institutions, school principals, deputy principals in charge of academic and research work, innovative teachers, representatives of pedagogical communities, and future educators.

The aim of the seminar was to enhance the quality of teacher preparation within a collaborative digital educational environment through the cooperation of higher education institutions and general secondary schools. The seminar sought to identify effective ways to improve the quality of teacher training, promote advanced methodologies, and share innovative practices for conducting collaborative research, as well as to explore and disseminate the innovative experiences of progressive teachers.

The seminar was opened by Murat Rysbekuly Uskenbaev, Head of the Methodological Cabinet of the Department of Education of the Bayzak District, who wished success to the participants.

Aysulu Nurdynqyzy Turarova, Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Social Sciences at M.Kh. Dulati Taraz University, congratulated the participants and expressed her best wishes.

Dr. Klara Zhaidarbekkyzy, Head of the Department of Pedagogy at M.Kh. Dulati Taraz University and Project Leader, highlighted the importance of collaborative research between scholars and experienced educators to improve the quality of teacher preparation in the New Kazakhstan and enhance the educational quality of general secondary schools.

During the seminar, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Department of Pedagogy at M.Kh. Dulati Taraz University and Koktal Secondary School for joint educational and methodological activities aimed at learning, researching, disseminating, and promoting innovative pedagogical practices.

Additionally, the Pedagogical Class named after Dulati was inaugurated at Koktal Secondary School as an initiative of the Department of Pedagogy at M.Kh. Dulati Taraz University.

Seven pedagogical coworking sessions were held during the seminar:

1. In the first pedagogical coworking session, D. O. Tulenova, Biology  teacher at Koktal Secondary School, conducted an open lesson for the 8th grade on “The Structure and Function of the Heart and Blood Vessels of Earthworms, Mollusks, Arthropods, and Vertebrates,” demonstrating innovative group work methods.

2. In the second pedagogical coworking session, M. E. Amantaeva, Chemistry teacher at Koktal Secondary School, held an open lesson for the 7th grade on “Air. The Composition of Air. The Combustion of a Wax Candle,” skillfully demonstrating the importance of laboratory work in improving the quality of education.

3. In the third pedagogical coworking session, N.K.Esbaeva, Geography teacher at Koktal Secondary School, conducted an open lesson for the 9th grade on “The Economic Assessment of Kazakhstan’s Water Resources,” demonstrating innovative methods of student assessment.

4. In the fourth pedagogical coworking session, J.B.Egemberdiyeva, History teacher at Koktal Secondary School, conducted an open lesson for the 5th grade on “Historical Information about the Scythians,” skillfully combining group, pair, and individual work using digital platforms.

5. In the fifth pedagogical coworking session, S.Sh.Nufarova, teacher at Koktal Secondary School, presented an exemplary model of extracurricular work under the “Club of Experts” section.

6. In the sixth pedagogical coworking session, the History and Geography Department of Koktal Secondary School organized a scientific and cognitive conference for 9-11 grade students of the Dulati Pedagogical Class on the works “Jahannama” and “Tarihi Rashidi.”

7. In the seventh pedagogical coworking session, Dr. Clara Zhaidarbekkyzy, Head of the Department of Pedagogy at M.Kh. Dulati Taraz University, organized a pedagogical event titled “Who is the Digital Educator?” She introduced the participants to the concept of the modern educator, distinguishing between the terms “modern educator” and “digital educator,” and introduced the pedagogical portal https://edu-collaboration.kz/ which plays a key role in developing digital competencies among teachers.

The seminar was concluded by Aiyat Senbekuly, Principal of Koktal Secondary School, who emphasized the importance of higher education institution-school collaboration in achieving success. He expressed gratitude to the teachers and scholars who worked in the pedagogical coworking sessions and summarized the seminar.

During the “Open Microphone” segment of the seminar, experienced school teachers expressed that they had received valuable answers to many of their pressing questions, and the seminar had inspired them to adopt innovative ideas and provided motivation and methodological support for their future work. They highlighted the need for frequent organization of such pedagogical coworking sessions.

The seminar successfully addressed key tasks related to determining effective ways to improve education quality through higher education institution-school collaboration and opened up new opportunities for creating a shared digital education environment.

Buzaubakova Klara Zhaidarbekkyzy

Head of the Department of Pedagogy, M.Kh. Dulati Taraz University

Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Project Leader