“Ilim Elim”: Online courses in Kyrgyz language

This session is about successful launch of the pilot project on open educational resource “Ilim Elim” online video lectures in Kyrgyz language in Kyrgyzstan in 2017. We will share with our experience of launching this resource and its impact on target audiences, as well as lessons learned from it.

This study is about the launch of the pilot project on online video lectures in Kyrgyz language “Ilim Elim” which was implemented between March 2017 and January 2018 in Kyrgyzstan, involving 20 teachers who delivered 400 video-lectures of 20 courses in social sciences. Reaching more than 4000 views and creating public support and involvement in the project successfully reached its goals. In Kyrgyzstan, there is no single, coordinating Internet portal that would offer educational courses in various disciplines for Kyrgyz citizens who have difficulties in understanding Russian-language or English-language content. This problem creates a huge educational gap between different segments of the population. The online resources of Coursera, Khan Academy, etc., have content, mainly in English. AUCA teachers who have extensive experience in training courses abroad, methodological seminars and conferences, as well as in the process of various projects, shared their knowledge by creating their courses in applied and theoretical subjects. The need to create educational content targeted at citizens speaking only in Kyrgyz was increased. The aim of the project was to expand open access to educational courses and knowledge for young Kyrgyz citizens who have difficulty understanding and reading resources in Russian and English.