AI Revolution: How One Siem Reap School is Transforming Education

TL;DR:

• Wat Bo Primary School in Siem Reap uses AI to boost cultural exchange with Malaysian students.
• Students utilise tools like ChatGPT, CapCut, and Canva for projects on traditional food, games, and more.
• The school has two computer labs and offers advanced technology programmes.

Imagine a classroom where students are not just learning about other cultures but actively engaging with them using cutting-edge AI technology. This is not a futuristic dream but a reality at Wat Bo Primary School in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The school has launched an innovative co-educational initiative with Malaysia, harnessing the power of AI to promote cultural exchanges and enhance learning experiences.

AI-Powered Cultural Exchange

Wat Bo Primary School’s project encourages students to share cultural experiences through presentations such as essays, photos, posters, and videos. “The project encourages students to share cultural experiences through presentations such as essays, photos, posters and videos, making the cultural showcase more engaging and modern,” said On Kunrath, the school’s principal.

AI technology plays a pivotal role in this project. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, VN, CapCut, Renderforest, and Canva assist students in creating and presenting their cultural findings. These tools help students develop new skills, from creating text summaries to editing photos and producing videos.

Prompt:

Ask ChatGPT: “What are the key points about Malaysian culture that a primary school student should know?”

This prompt encourages students to use AI to research and understand the key aspects of Malaysian culture, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation.

Developing New Skills with AI

Throughout the project, students develop various new skills. They create 70-word text summaries using AI, edit group photos for a Facebook group with CapCut, and produce one-minute video summaries using the same tool. These activities not only enhance their technical skills but also foster creativity and collaboration.

Kunrath explained that students research key points about individuals from Malaysia using Google, ChatGPT, and Gemini, documenting their findings in Microsoft 365 Note. They also meet with principals, vice-principals, class teachers, assistant teachers, and team members from both countries via Zoom for discussions, write resumes in Microsoft 365 Note, and post personal photos.

Exploring Cultural Topics

The project focuses on ten topics, each selected to encourage groups of schools from both nations to explore various aspects of one another’s cultures. These topics include traditional food, games, handicrafts, clothes, music and dance, classical musical instruments, children’s traditional songs, folk tales, words of daily culture, and historic sites.

Prompt:

Ask ChatGPT: “What are some traditional Malaysian games that primary school students can learn and play?”

This prompt helps students discover and engage with traditional games from Malaysia, promoting cultural understanding and interaction.

Advanced Technology Facilities

Wat Bo Primary School supports its technology curriculum with two modern computer labs. The first lab, equipped with 40 computers and 30 iPads, serves younger students who learn typing, Microsoft Word, Excel, painting, and ThinkkThinkk. The second lab, with 38 computers and 33 iPads, is used by older students for project-based research in various subjects, as well as interactive games like Kahoot, Quizziz, and Mentimer.

These facilities are also available for additional research by teachers and students, ensuring that everyone has access to the tools they need to succeed.

Leading the Way in Education

The school is recognised for its advanced educational standards. It offers a regular curriculum in addition to the cultural project, with most project activities occurring outside regular class hours to minimise disruption.

In 2023, the school made headlines as 40 of its teachers completed a cutting-edge information technology training course provided by South Korean educators. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, focused on integrating AI into the curriculum, enhancing teaching methods, and keeping pace with global digital advancements.

A Model for the Future

Under the leadership of previous principal Peng Kimchhen, the school successfully combined traditional values with modern educational practices, earning it recognition as a model school. The current administration continues to develop the school into a model institution, aiming to ensure that students are on par with their peers locally and regionally, particularly in English proficiency and technology skills.

Embracing the Future of Education

Wat Bo Primary School’s innovative use of AI in education is a testament to the transformative power of technology. By integrating AI into the curriculum, the school is not only enhancing learning experiences but also preparing students for a future where technology plays an increasingly important role.

To learn more about AI in cultural exchanges tap here.

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• To learn more about AI in cultural exchanges, tap here.