SUCCESS & INNOVATION

In an era of rapid technological advancement, bringing digital literacy to rural areas is crucial. Mr. An Sok Eng, a dedicated teacher at Thkov Primary School in Thkov village, Troib commune, Batheay District, Kampong Cham Province, has emerged as a role model in driving this transformation. As a Master Trainer for the AI Ready ASEAN project, with financial support from Google.org through Asean Foundation, implemented by KAPE, he has not only developed his own capacity but has also become an effective bridge, transferring knowledge to his teaching community.

 

Mr. Sok Eng's turning point began when he attended the project's intensive two-day training workshop on "AI Literacy." This was not just a standard workshop; it was a gateway to a new technological frontier.

 

Mr. Sok Eng detailed his experience that “Participating in the two-day training provided me with extensive knowledge regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), including the fundamentals of AI, understanding its application in daily life, and comprehending how AI functions.”

 

More importantly, he gained deep insights into critical technical skills, such as Prompt Engineering—writing accurate and effective commands—and understanding AI Ethics, which is the key to responsible technology usage.

 

Armed with new competencies, Mr. Sok Eng did not keep this knowledge to himself. He developed a clear plan to act as a Master Trainer, cascading this training to other teachers within his school cluster.

 

He observed a significant shift in the participants' attitudes. He noted “All participants felt happy. Previously, they had only heard the word 'AI' but didn't know what it was or what it was used for... But after participating... they now recognize, understand, and can use AI in their daily work.”

 

This represents a massive success, as he transformed the teachers' hesitation or lack of understanding into confidence in utilizing technology.

 

The training success of the AI Ready ASEAN project, facilitated by Mr. Sok Eng, is evident through practical application. Teachers in his cluster have started using AI to enhance their pedagogy:

 

1. Understanding AI Systems: Through the "AI for Oceans" program, teachers gained a clear understanding of how Machine Learning operates.
2. Lesson Production: They are now able to utilize specific AI tools to generate lesson plans for teaching and learning, which saves time and increases efficiency.

 

By the end of the session, participants committed to applying this knowledge and striving for further self-study.

 

As a leader of change, Mr. An Sok Eng is committed to researching more about AI and sharing it with those around him, ensuring they can leverage AI to serve their essential daily needs effectively.

 

Finally, he expressed his deep gratitude that “I would like to thank the AI Ready ASEAN project for providing me with the opportunity and knowledge to be ready to embrace Artificial Intelligence.”

 

This case study demonstrates that providing the right opportunities to a single Master Trainer can create a positive ripple effect, impacting hundreds of teachers and students within the community.

 

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