November 28th, 2024
On November 28th, 2024, the National Institute for Research in Education organized a national scientific colloquium under the theme: “The Use of Modern Technologies in Teaching the History of Algeria“. The event was held at the institute’s headquarters and aimed to align educational practices with rapid technological advancements while enhancing the teaching of historical subjects.
The colloquium sought to achieve several objectives, including evaluating the current state of Algerian history education within curricula and exploring the role of technological tools in fostering critical thinking and analytical skills among learners. It also emphasized the historical symbolism of certain national sites and figures as effective educational tools, opening new avenues for learners to engage with Algerian history through innovative applications and methods. Moreover, the symposium highlighted the use of modern technologies, such as virtual reality and holograms, to revive the nation’s heritage.
Before the event commenced, the Minister, accompanied by the High Commissioner for Digitalization, visited the institute’s multimedia library named after the martyred child hero Omar Yacef. During the visit, they met members of this revolutionary family.
The symposium began with a keynote address by Professor Radia Bernaoui, Director of the National Institute for Research in Education. She underscored the importance of historical education in strengthening national identity and emphasized the need to integrate technology to facilitate understanding historical events and enriching the learning experience. The Minister of National Education also extended his greetings to the participants, including officials, experts, researchers, and educators, expressing his gratitude to the entire educational community for their ongoing contributions.
The academic sessions featured presentations and discussions by prominent experts and scholars. The program opened with an interactive hologram-based presentation narrating the story of the martyr Omar Yacef. In this imagined scenario, a journalist from the present engaged in a dialogue with Omar Yacef from the past.
The symposium covered several key themes, such as the current state of Algerian history education, where challenges and opportunities in Algerian schools were analyzed. Discussions also highlighted the impact of modern technological tools in stimulating learners and developing critical thinking skills.
Among the notable contributions, Professor Ammar Bouhouche discussed history teaching methodologies in Algeria and offered actionable recommendations for improving this subject. Dr. Mohamed Doumir shared his experiences in creating educational content for history under the title “Interactive History and Official Documentation”, providing insights into his strategies to captivate audiences and promote interest in historical studies. Dr. Zine-Eddine Seffadj explored the history of the Casbah, focusing on its unique architecture and artistic elements. Dr. Abderrahman Khalifa delivered a profound presentation titled “The Cause During the Liberation Revolution”.
Another prominent session featured live historical examples highlighting the heroism of martyrs and landmarks of national resistance. Abdelrahman Yacef, the brother of the martyred hero Omar Yacef, and his sister Saida contributed to this session by presenting a documentary about the Battle of Algiers that included vivid testimonies.
The symposium also allocated a segment specifically for students, introducing them to the heroic legacy of Omar Yacef and Algeria’s revolution. This included recorded theatrical performances, which were warmly received by the young audience.
The symposium concluded with several key recommendations, such as incorporating digital tools into curricula to enhance learner engagement, developing innovative educational applications that highlight the national dimension of Algerian history, organizing teacher training programs on the integration of technology in education, and creating interactive digital platforms to document historical events and figures, thereby enriching historical education.
This symposium reflects the National Institute for Research in Education’s commitment to advancing educational practices and adopting cutting-edge technologies to elevate the teaching of Algerian history. It reaffirms that leveraging technology not only enhances educational quality but also contributes to preserving national memory and passing it on to future generations in innovative and impactful ways.
