Improve school learning for 40,000 children!

Programme Report from The Teacher Foundation

The Teacher Foundation is implementing the Sustained Teacher Development Programme for 100 rural Government school teachers in Yadagiri region with support from Global Giving. Yadagiri is one of the backward district of North East Karnataka. The project aim is benefit 40,000 students studying in the Government schools.

We commenced the programme “Darpana” in Shahapur block of Yadagiri district. The programme includes 5 days of training and two rounds of School Based Support. Under this programme we have completed 2 modules namely “Learning in Groups” and “Learning Spectrum” for 100 teachers who are attending in three batches. However, the attendance to these workshops were good and totally 112 teachers attended. In 'Learning in Groups' , we shared different group strategies with teachers to facilitate collaborative learning in their classrooms. The participants were given hands-on experience on techniques like think-pair-share, snow balling, envying, jigsaw, fish bowl, carousel. In the 'Learning Spectrum' module, we covered a range of activities that can make classroom environment more lively and vibrant. We have given inputs on how to use the blackboard, bulletin board and newspapers effectively to improve learning. Simple ideas that work brilliantly! Learning outside classroom was also a part of this module.

Most of the teachers were eager to learn new ideas, strategies from the training sessions. They were enthusiastic and reflective on all the days. Teachers have expressed happiness over the method of training and facilitation. They felt that the content was relevant and useful to their classroom situation.

SL. No

Module

Batch

Date

Participants

1

Learning in Group

Batch I

23/02/12

35 out of 40

2

Learning Spectrum

Batch I

24/02/12

35 out of 40

3

Learning in Group

Batch II

29/02/12

40 out of 40

4

Learning Spectrum

Batch II

01/03/12

40 out of 40

5

Learning in Group

Batch III

03/08/12

37 out of 40

6

Learning Spectrum

Batch III

04/08/12

37 out of 40

Teachers Feedback:

“ This training make teachers different, I am inspired a lot with TTF facilitation”

Shri, Laxman L

Teacher, GHPS Peth Shahapur

" I got lots of ideas on classroom management, And also learnt how to use daily news papers in our classroom process"

Bangaremma

Teacher. GHPS Filterbed, Shahapur

"I learnt about various group techniques and facilitation. Liked facilitators' facilitation skills, communication and content knowledge"

Ku. Vanishree

Teacher, GHPS Dornalli

"Our teachers are experiencing hand on activity and is very useful for classroom management"

Sri. Shashidhar

Block Resource Coordinator, Shahapur

School Based Support (SBS)

Before the commencement of the actual training, TTF administered “Classroom Observation Checklist”, a tool developed in-house to assess the teaching-learning process, for a sample of 15% teachers to identify the need areas and to track the changes in their performance. An evaluation report will be shared with you at the end of the project.

We have completed the first round of school based support for 89 teachers including sample of 15% teachers. TTF facilitators observe each teacher in her/his classroom followed by a discussion about the lesson. We get teachers to reflect on their classroom practices and discuss aspects of the classroom that was effective / that was not so effective and plan of action for the next class.

Changes Noticed

During this round of observation, we did notice lots of changes in their classroom teaching. Some of the observations include – use of group techniques like think-pair-share, fish bowl, carousel activities, out door learning, use of black board effectively. Some teachers demonstrated better communication skills with students and were addressing students by their names.

Next three days of workshops namely - Tools for Teaching, Measuring Learning, Deigning Learning and Multiple Intelligence are schedule d on Oct 3^rd , 4^th and 5^th for two batches followed by classroom observations(SBS) in the month of Nov 2012 after teachers come back from Dasara (October) vacation.

TTF has developed good rapport with department officials. Education Department officials provide feedback about the programme – and also shared that their teachers were very happy about programme, its methodology and facilitators' facilitation skills.

If you have any suggestions/queries, please feel free to write to us.

TTF enabling teachers!

The Teacher Foundation (TTF) is conducting sustained teacher development training for 100 teachers in  Yadgiri, a backward district of Karnataka. The aim is to benefit  thousands of children studying in the Government schools.   This year we are expanding our programme in the North Karnataka region.  In addition to these 100 teachers under Global Giving, TTF will train 100 teachers in Yadgiri and another 250 teachers in Haveri with support from Maitree Foundation and Deshpande Foundation. Combined, these projects have the ability to potentially impact 140,000 children over the next ten years!

Training has begun in the Yadgiri region. We have completed 2 modules namely "Learning in Groups" and "Learning Spectrum"  for two batches, covering 75 primary school teachers. Training for the remaining 35  teachers will commence in June in Yadgiri block. In 'Learning in Groups' , we shared different group strategies  with teachers to facilitate collaborative learning in their classrooms. The participants were given  hands-on experience on techniques  like think-pair-share, snow balling, envoying, jigsaw, fish bowl, carousel. In the  'Learning Spectrum'  module, we covered  a range of activities that can make classroom environment more lively and vibrant. We have  given inputs on how to use the black board, bulletin board, and newspapers effectively to improve learning. Simple ideas that work brilliantly!Learning outside classroom was also a part of this module.

Most of our participants are eager to learn new ideas or strategies. They were enthusiastic and reflective on all the days. Teachers have expressed happiness over the method of training and facilitation. They felt that the content was relevant and useful.

Few  sample feedback given by teachers on our programme:

“Really it was a different training - I experienced it and learned a lot, I will implement all group techniques and bulletin board activities in my classroom teaching”

                        - Mr. Mallikarjun R.H,Teacher, Govt. Lower Primary School, Ingalgi.

“I got great ideas to do effective teaching. And I came to know about how to use newspapers in  classrooms”

                             - Ms.Roopa. R,Teacher, Govt.Higher Primary School, Mumutagi

“I  liked the content of these workshops. I also appreciate the  knowledge and communication skills of the facilitators.”

                               - Mr. Chadray,Teacher, Govt.Higher Primary School, Gaddesugur

School Based Support (SBS)

Before the commencement of the actual  training, TTF   administered “Classroom Observation Checklist”, a tool developed in-house to assess the teaching-learning process, for a sample of 15% teachers to identify the need areas and to track the changes in their performance. An evaluation report will be shared with you at the end.

Remaining workshops and classroom observations(SBS) will be held  in the month of June 2012 after teachers come back from summer vacation.  

The officials from the department of Education, Government of Karnataka who were present during our sessions, have  praised our effort and assured their fullest co-operation to carry forward this programme.

We thank Global Giving  for the platform and  all our donors for making  generous contributions for an educational cause. If you have any suggestions/queries, please feel free to write to us.