Teach2030 and UNIDO: Upskilling Teachers in Liberia
By Alexandra Starr
The Government of Liberia, with funding from the European Union in Liberia and the Government of Sweden for the Youth Rising Project, is working to strengthen the national system for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in order to ensure social-economic empowerment of youth. The Youth Rising project is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The training of TVET teachers in teaching methodology and professional practice, is one of the areas that have been identified for strengthening the system. UNIDO is working with the Commonwealth Education Trust to train and upskill the TVET teachers using the Teach 2030 online based training package.
As part of our working collaboration with UNIDO, teachers in Liberia have been focusing on developing their teaching through implementing strategies from our ‘Fresh Thinking for your Classroom’ course.
As part of the course, we encourage reflection by teachers recording themselves in the classroom, watching themselves back and then completing a self-assessment table. This can be with the help of a learning partner; someone to help support, advise, challenge, listen to and celebrate with.
Today, we hear the impact of this self-assessment from five TVET teachers:
James Wolobah
‘From the course, I identified lots of new things in the process. My course partner and I used a mirror at the back of my classroom and voice recording. It built self-confidence in me to always be encouraging with the students. It enlarged my experience in the field. It created room for student centered learning and helped me to establish cordial relationship with the students
Thanks for the opportunity afforded for this program. I look forward to more empowerment during the rest of the process.’
We celebrate James’ initiative. This is an ingenious solution to having no camera to record himself on!
Thomas Fahuwu
‘I found the experience of filming myself adding value to the way I present lecture series and keeping myself as an effective communicator. With this lesson learned, I am fully aware that my primary concern as a teacher is to make learners understand the subject and be part of the demonstration or feedback on test. Yes indeed, it is really helpful a whole lot for now and the future.’
Thomas has some tips on how to engage with Teach2030 resources effectively:
‘I viewed the notes and instructions very carefully and took points down in my note book. I also downloaded some key components that were of use for me when responding to assessment adequately. Finally, I did photograph some components that I felt were important to me but could not be downloaded.
I did implement strategies by carefully reading and jotting down notes. I used my smart phone to photograph some of these new ideas in the teaching career and I will use them by adding new ideas to make my presentations motivational for learners.’
Flomie K Kollie
‘For the self-assessment, I videoed myself teaching and watched it and improved my teaching strategies.
I asked my teaching partner to video record me on my smartphone and later I watched it. I observed myself, made short notes and then made positive changes.
I saw myself explaining something over, over and over in front of the classroom and also standing in one place at the front of the classroom too much. I needed to walk around my students during tasks.
I am associating myself with my students frequently, because it helps me to build better relationships with them because they feel more supported.’
Henry Appleton
‘It was helpful for me because it made me reflect on my performance and it shows areas that I need to improve.
I identified some good teaching practices. I taught a lesson in front of my colleague. I gathered my pupils and taught them over a subject matter. I recorded a film in order to reflect on my performance and handle areas that needs to be developed.
This improved my teaching because it allowed me to practise a new style of teaching, different from how I used to teach. This strategy helps me in building a good learning environment with my pupils and organising them for group discussions.
The programme is interesting and educative.’
Emmanuel Saye
‘After filming myself, I identified some mistakes I have been making in in my teaching. The film helped me to see my faults.
I videoed myself teaching. I watched it and took notes of all the areas I had problems. This has impacted my teaching by improving in those areas.
I first asked my supervisor to allow me to film myself. He agreed. I then asked one of my learners to film on my smartphone. I went home and watched it and started working on those areas that needed improvement.
I saw that I took too much time to settle down my learners, and I needed to get them to focus by just writing the ‘Do Now’ for my learners. This has impacted my teaching since I introduced the ‘Do Now’ method.
I don’t have to spend much time to settle down my learners in the morning anymore. This is helpful because it has helped me work in the time allocated for my class.’
Emmanuel has also been joining us for the live workshops that we hold twice a month. After September’s workshop he said:
‘I enjoyed using the SMART verb in learning objectives because it helps me to better explain my objectives to the learners.
From today’s workshop, l learned how to explain my objectives to the learners and allow them to tell me how they feel about the objectives. That I have not been able to do so far; from now on, I will try to enforce it.
My knowledge improved from having some knowledge on the topic to having good knowledge on the topic.’
To sign up to our latest workshop at 3pm BST on October 27th and 30th, click ‘Online Teacher Workshop’ or the image below:
Thank you to UNIDO for their continued support with encouraging teachers to take our Teach2030 courses.
___________
Read original story here.
