Fulbright

Fulbright Projects and Presentations- 2009-2010

I truly enjoyed every part of the Fulbright experience from selection process to orientation, from CIES support to Host country staff.

Turkmenistan is a difficult country to receive permission. Due to last minute invitation letter and approvals, I had a hard time coordinating my travel. Due to last minute flight arrangements, I had to change three flights to arrive to my destination.

Housing was arranged on my behalf prior to my arrival, thanks to the Public Affairs office in Ashgabat, TM, although I was promised a cheaper rate and options through the email. Housing conditions were fair but the landlord gave me hard time fixing the pluming and electrical problems. I was grateful to the Public Affairs Officer who tried to look for another apartment and also translated the problems to the landlord on my behalf. Taught courses

I could not officially teach in any Turkmen University due to lack of response from the Turkmen Ministry of Education. I was able to teach in Academy of Science as a guest speaker to various English Language courses, mainly developed workshops and courses at Public Affairs, American Council, IREX and Turkmen Turkish Schools.

The list of the courses I developed and presented in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Academy of Science • Educational Technology for English as a Foreign Language Teachers US Public Affairs • Maps, Math and Media Introduction Global Positioning System and Interactive Map making- Public Affairs • Digital Storytelling: Developing Video Production and Media literacy skills, Public Affairs • I can dream American: DREAM (D for democracy, R for Religion, E for Education, A for Academics, M for Media) IREX.org • Educational Technology for English Teachers: Improving English Teaching using new media and technologies American Council • Technology for U Series Turkmen Turkish Schools • Differentiated Instruction • Classroom Management • Technology in Education

Developed and/or assessed academic curricula or educational materials

I collaborated with English teachers to integrate new media and technologies into language teaching and assisted teachers developing multimedia projects to integrate into their lessons. Advised I advised over 30 students for college applications, career counseling and revising their college essays and grant applications. I collaborated with over 8 Fulbright Alumni and advised on their grant applications and conference proposals. Served as a committee member at host institution

I served: • Reviewer/ Reading Committee for Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia & Central Asia (Global UGRAD) program. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, January 2010. • Advisor. Democracy Video Project to Turkmen Participants in Ashgabat and Climate Change- Mary Region. Presented workshop (Oct, 2009, Dec 2009). Attended online forum (Dec 30, 2009). I also attended weekly meetings at US Public Affairs section

I co-wrote an article for newsletter for public affairs and commentaries for various websites and IREX Turkmenistan Ning page. Conducted research Yildiz, M.N. Turkmen Proverbs. Multilingual Children’s Book. This action research project turned into multilingual children’s book. It made me connected to the National Library. I received generous help from librarians, Turkmen scholars, translators and children. Turkmen children ages 6-18 are invited to draw pictures of the selected proverbs. Dec 12, 2009 was a day of sharing stories, drawing pictures, translating and discussing Turkmen proverbs. In addition to Turkmen children, Turkish and American students also participated in the event and contributed for the book. Yildiz, M. N. Math, Maps, and Media: Teaching Millennials in the New Millennium. Investigator, Grant Writer. (Fall 2009). Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) in Community Service Project. Interactive Map of Ashgabat. I started a GPS project with my students in Math, Maps and Media class. The students were interested in creating a map of Ashgabat and its bus routes using GPS device. We collected data on bus routes and developed a map. This project is an ongoing one that I have left my GPS device with the Turkmen leader who continuing the GIS and GPS work in Turkmenistan. I also interviewed 10 Turkmen Women for the documentary film I am working on. Film Maker. (2008-Present). //Breaking the Cycle of Violence against Women.// Producing a film about, by, and for the women in Asia. Film Maker. (2009-Present). Roles and Responsibilities of Women in Turkmenistan//.// Producing a film about, by, and for the women in Turkmenistan.

Participated in community-based cultural or social gatherings

I was on the streets of Ashgabat either on foot, taking a taxi or a bus during the GPS work. I showed device to the people who questioned the device and what we are doing. It helped me improve my language skills and get to know the locals while trying to show the device. I also attended Wedding and Circumcision ceremonies, assisted my neighbors for their American Embassy job applications, collaborated with Turkish community, attended various European Union and Embassy gatherings, i.e. participated Turkish Festivals and teacher day celebration party at Turkish Embassy, learn to play Chinese game with British council colleagues, Noel party at French Embassy, and received a dance award during the Korogly Conference in the Dashoguz Region. Interviewed by local media • Featured Fulbright Scholar at Turkmenistan Newspaper (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan September 30, 2009). • Featured Fulbright Scholar at International Korogly Conference. (Dashoguz, Turkmenistan: September 23-25, 2009). Turkmenistan TV and Altyn Asyr TV • Featured Fulbright Scholar at International Education Fair & Conference. (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: September 8-10, 2009). Turkmenistan TV, Miras TV, Yaslik TV and Altin Asir TV. I was interviewed daily with various many local newspapers, magazines. Presentations Yildiz, M. N. (2010, January 12). Invited Speaker for Women’s Group. **Academy of Science**, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Presenter. (January 4-6, 2010). Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction, Technology in Education-Professional Development Workshop series, Turkmen Turkish Schools, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, December 18). Invited Speaker for video production for **// Change //** //Your ** Climate ****,** ** Change ** Our World// contest at **American Corner, Education USA Center**, Mary Region, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, December 1-3). Planning ICTs for Developing Science and Technology Curricula and Preparing Future Generations for Multi-literacies. Invited Speaker at UNESCO Conference on Quality Education, Sciences and ICTs that was organized by **UNESCO/UNICEF Organization**, Turkmenbasy, Balkanabat Region, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, November 25). //Interactive Map of Ashgabat: Community Service Project.// Invited Speaker at GIS for **Disaster Management Conference** organized by Organization, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, November 24). //GIS/GPS in Education.// Invited Speaker at GIS Conference, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, November 20). Küreselleşen Eğitim: Çok kültürde, Çok dilde, Multimedya ile Okur Yazarlık Ötesi Çalışmalar -Globalized Education: Best Practices Beyond Reading and Writing with Multicultural, Multilingual, Multimedia. Invited Speaker at Turkish Cultural Center, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan organized by **Turkish Embassy Education Department**. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, November 16-20). Turkmenistan Teachers Talk. Invited Speaker at IREX for International Education Week, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Ning Forum for teachers [] Yildiz, M. N. (2009, November 18). Grant Resources. Invited Panelist representing Fulbright. **US Public Affairs**, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, November 19). Why Teach? Teaching as a Profession in the US. Invited Speaker at **American Council, Education USA Center,** for International Education Week, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Picture at [] Yildiz, M. N. (2009, October 22). Music, Media and Art in Developing Vocabulary. Invited Speaker at **American Council, Education USA Center**, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Yildiz, M. N. (2009, September 23-25). //Korogly across Cultures throughout History: Semiotics Of Korogly Imagery.// Invited Speaker at Korogly Conference organized by Miras Organization, Ministry of Education, Dashoguz Region, Turkmenistan.

Please provide specific details about the institution(s) that would be relevant for future scholars, including the organization of
 * Comments**

Yildiz, M.N., Geldymuradova, G., & Komekova, G. (2010, June 26-July 2). [|Different Continents Similar Challenges: Integrating Social Media in Teacher Education]: **Ed-Media International Conference 2010,** Toronto, CA.

Yagshymurat Orazov, orazov2003@yahoo.com

Yildiz, M.N., Geldymuradova, G., Komekova, G. & Orazov, Y. (2010, June 27-30). ** Using GPS to Develop Historical Sites in Turkmenistan. ** Proceedings of Global Collaboration: ** International Society for Technology in Education 2010 ** Conference //.// Denver, CO.