Rwanda Teachers Training on XOs Feedback

Teachers Expectations:

Talking to some of the teachers on the first day of the training, I realized they had the following expectations at the end of the training.

• Personal Development  – under which they expected to have full confidence in using of XO laptops in class.
• Experience Sharing – under which they expected to share on how they were making use of the XOs in the schools e.g. Kagugu Primary school.
• Teaching Capacity Connections – under which they expected to built along lasting relationship consortium that  they can continue to learn from each other and even connect to other teachers on how to use XOs in Teaching and Learning.
• Techinical Support Followup – Under which they expected OPLC to built a technical support team that will be able to address issues related to XOs hardware, Software and Electrical (Power strips failures) in the schools.
• Motivational Platiforms – under which they expected ‘Teaching Capacity Connections’ to address recognition of those who are doing very well in the use of the XOs  in the schools. In this case, they considered rewards in any form.

Achievements:

Partly, some of the above mentioned expectations were realized for example

• Personal Development – during the training, some reference manuals were issued to teachers on how to develop confidence by working with some lesson plans.
• Experience Sharing – during the training, some teachers presented on how the use XOs in the schools and the outcomes in terms of enrolment and performance

Project sustainability Gaps realized

• Teaching Capacity Connections – most participants did not understand how to create reference points with colleagues (Teachers) in different schools. In this case, they did not understand on how work on lesson plans by either relying on OLPC or some of the innovative teachers who are already making use of the XOs in Teaching and Learning.The training did not address the issues on how the teachers can make reference to their colleagues in relation to lesson plans. In my opinion, I thought it would have been wise if the teachers would have created a consortium sort of to start working closely with the few innovative teachers making use of the XOs already in class.
• Technical Support Follow up – most participants did not differentiate OLPC technical support from the trainers. In my own opinion, I think it is high time for OLPC to identify specific people in the right professions to carry out hardware and software repairs and maintenance in schools other than relying on the trainers to do the same task.For example, most schools complained of some power strips and chargers not working. Furthermore, teachers lack enough time to interact with OLPC team to get good advice on technical issues because most of the time, they are busy doing training on how to use XO in teaching.
• Motivational Platforms – most participants raised concerns on how they do not participate in Information and Communication Technology forums related to technology in education in Rwanda. They wished to work closely with OLPC to position them in some of the forums either local or international.For example, I had a chat with  one of the headmasters from Kagugu, who raised concern on how he was not aware of the elearning africa conference that was held in Lusaka in May.He expressed he wished to be participating to express OLPC progress in Rwanda.

Conclusion

Having five expectations, I found out that 2 out of 5 expectations were addressed. It is my wish that OLPC review some of the expectations I have mentioned above.

XO Teachers Training Expected In Rwanda

In regard to the subject of discussion on 22/06/2010 at the OLPC office, Kigali. The following are my suggestions on the forthcoming teachers training:-

XO TEACHERS TRAINING EXPECTATIONS

Depending on the mutual relationships that exist between a teacher and a student, I think it is time for ‘NEW TIME LOVE’ that will bind teachers and students through technology in Education with the use of XOs. I have highlighted on some of the issues basing on my findings with the experience I have gained working with both students and teachers in Rwanda and some other countries.

N/B: NEW, TIME and LOVE are some of the persuasive words in English and draws attention of most trainees.

NEW

The forthcoming XO teachers training should be able to create an environment for teachers to realize that ‘TECHNOLOGY’ is a ‘NEW’ emerging trend in Education that is changing the traditional way of teaching and learning. The training should be able to focus on teacher’s personal experience sharing opportunities with ‘TECHNOLOGY’ i.e. OPLC can position some of the schools like Rwamagana where teachers can make some presentations. This will lead to teachers’ confidence development on ‘TECHNOLOGY’ (XO).

The ‘NEW’ can be best understood by watching the story of an ‘Eagles Rebirth’ which best demonstrates why change is required.

TIME

Almost all the teachers worldwide are concerned with curriculum coverage and integration of XOs in Education on ‘TIME’ effectively. In this case, XO Teaching and Learning Activities should play a major role in the training. For example, ‘CLASS AND BEYOND’ Teaching and Learning Project which I proposed some sometimes back that addresses learning and teaching in the following ways with use of an XO laptop:-

• Learning about Language – XO laptop provides ‘Write’ and ‘Etoys learning activities that involves spoken and written language which leads to poems, essays, grammar e.t.c .They are useful tools for the teachers during the training for the purpose of XO integration in education curriculum of Rwanda.
• Learning about Logic and Mathematics – XO laptop provides ‘MEMORIZE’ and ‘Calculate’ learning activities that emphasises understanding and organizing the world objects that include math, sorting objects by size and / or colour and seeing patterns.
• Learning about Music – XO laptop provides ‘TAMTAM JAM’ and ‘TAMJAM EDIT’ learning activities that centres on rhythm, pitch, melody and tone quality. This might include how children learn words and melody to a new song and how they play musical instruments.
• Co-curricular activities i.e. Physical Control – XO laptop provides ‘SCRATCH’ learning activity that can teach children to control movement of their bodies. It may include Sports Development activities in schools e.g. Volleyball, Playing soccer and Athletic games.
• Learning about Nature (Sciences and Geography) – With the use of ‘ETOYS’ and ‘WRITE’ teachers can teach students to recognize and understand the characteristics of the natural world, such as animals, plants and environment.
• Learning about self and others – With ‘ETOYS’ , ‘SCRATCH’ , and ‘WRITE’ XO learning activities, teachers can teach the students to understand how to get along with others one-on-one, how to recognize their needs, thoughts and feelings and how to get along in groups of children. Furthermore, students can understand themselves and their own needs, thoughts and feelings and personal likes and dislikes.

N/B: ‘TIME’ can be utilised well if the training will address school based clubs to have a general name like ‘CLASS AND BEYOND CLUBS’ that can be sub-divided as follows:-

• Music (Theatre) Club
• Journalism Club
• Sports Club (Game Programming)
• Community (Environment)

LOVE

XO usage in any school always contributes to the strengthening of Teacher-Pupil Bond like when every students admires to have his / her own XO to use and seeks help from the teacher  i.e. Teacher Pupil relationship development. In this case XO usually makes it easier for a teacher to be the main point of reference in relation to learning.

Teacher Training on XO Proposal Summary

Technology Integration in Teaching and Learning Workshop

Theme: “Teachers’ Innovative Skills”

Thematic areas of Training may include:-

1. Computer (XO) Awareness and Appreciation
2. XO Application Programs in Teaching and Learning
3. Digital Content Development (KIE Curriculum)
4. Effective Systems Management

Objectives:-

1. OLPC Innovative Teachers Consortium – This will target all the schools having OPLC Projects in Rwanda.
2. OLPC Innovative Students nurtured in different talents in Graphics, Design and Presentations at basic education in Rwanda.
3. TOTs (Trainers of Trainees) Development Cycle to enable distribution of the XOs in all the schools in Rwanda.
4. Lesson Plans to include XO Teaching or Learning Aids, Reference and Practice.

My Expectations and Assignments done in Rwanda OLPC

My major concern is dynamic approach to Teachers Teaching Aids at elementary level of education in Rwanda. For example, students should explore real world problems and challenges. In this case, they be engaged in learning actively and inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they study.

Dynamic approach will involve ICT integration into Teaching and Learning in class by Project Based Teaching methods.

Assignment 1: ESCAF PRIMARY SCHOOL

Project: Co-curricular Activity

Involved teaching the children about co-curricular activities

Task: Sports Development

Different sports activities were mentioned by the students e.g. football, volleyball e.t.c

Thematic areas of concern involved how many players are in the activity, physical control,

Health and nutrition.

Learning Activity and Resources: XO scratch program was used to develop volleyball activity with four

dimensions:-

1. Motion
2. Text
3. Image (looks)
4. Audio

Objective: Primary school curriculum integration with ICT

Conclusion: ICT by the use of the XO learning activities and resources merges all the subjects.

Assignment 2: AT NONKO Primary school

Project: Presentation Skills

Involved working with P4 and P5 group 1 students

Task: Presenting class work to the teacher

Different class work / assignments were mentioned by the students from different subjects

Thematic area of concern was:-

1. Language
2. Appearance
3. Motion / Gestures
4. Sound / Audio
5. Senses
6. Logic and Mathematics (Numbers)

Learning Activity and Resource: XO scratch program was used to develop some class work content animated to include thematic areas above.

Objective: Primary school curriculum integration with creativity and innovativeness through ICT.

Conclusion: XO learning activities and resources merges all the subjects.

By :  Robert Memeti

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