Early Childhood Education students visit Gems Nations Academy in Al Barsha

On November 9th, Middlesex University Dubai second year Early Childhood Education students visited Gems Nations Academy in Al Barsha. Nations Academy is a recently opened American curriculum school that is getting international attention for its visionary program. The students were greeted by Tom Farquhar, the head of Nations Academy. He explained his unique vision for the school to be a “new paradigm in education” and gave us a tour of the impressive facility.  Noha Bishara, the kindegarten team leader, invited our Middlesex students into her classroom and explained the Nations' kindergarten play-based program to us.  When asked what stood out for them, one student commented that she was impressed by the open design of the spaces, “It’s so different from what I’m used to. It’s very modern”. Several students also commented on the integration of technology at all levels and across all subjects. The kindergarten students even have their own mini-ipads.  “Incorporation of technology from the very beginning is unbelievable. The vision is put into practice.”