Sharing Skills and Learning Lots

Making learning resources on rice sacks is easier and more fun than it looks.

 

How long does it take volunteers to prepare for a training day? It took two of us two days and a very untidy house.

 

This was my first teacher training in learner centred methodology

 

but the teachers at this remote school participated in all the activities with enthusiasm

 

Even I felt relaxed once it was underway.

 

 

The discussion groups brought out questions about how learner-centred activities could be applied to the subjects they teach

Making rice sack resources was engrossing once a method had been worked out

 

and a fun way to conclude a day of so much learning by us all

 

These two did a great double act to show others how to present their ideas to the group

The following week, we were teaching in another rural school where the head teacher recognised that children with disabilities should not only be allowed to come to school, but should have their needs catered for. Note the parents of those children had been invited to the session and were joining in. That was the most special part of the day.

 

A deaf signing teacher came with us that day to teach Eric's teacher, his mum and the whole class how they could communicate with him

 

Maths can be very perplexing, especially when you have never been given anything to count with before. Teachers are being encouraged to allow the children to use all their learning senses - visual, oral, auditory, tactile and kinasthetic. Children learn through multiple intelligences, not just listening to their teacher as they mostly do at present. They need to be activly involved in their own learning. This is the message throughout all the training.

 

 

 

 

Once again, a weekend gathering of some volunteers was a chance to share stories and challenges of the past week. This hotel in Butare also happened to serve some  very good burgers and chips. And Primus beer too.