Methodology

Methodology is one of the core fields of expertise of VVOB, both in the education and agricultural extension sectors. The development of capacity and skills of trainers and facilitators is at the center of the VVOB programmes in Cambodia.

In the education sector, teacher trainers are trained in the application of Student Centered Approaches (SCA), also referred to as Learner Centered Methodologies (LCM). The aim is to encourage problem-based learning and to develop higher order thinking skills of students and pupils. The education programmes in Cambodia promote also the TPACK framework where Technology is integrated with specific Pedagogical approaches and Content Knowledge. Teacher trainers learn how these fields of knowledge interact with one another and reinforce teaching and learning processes. The strengthening of teacher trainers’ methodology varies from general pedagogical training to applied methodology in areas such as health and life skills education or science subjects. The Student Centered Approach is also in line with the Ministry’s Child Friendly Schools policy to which VVOB is offering technical support in cooperation with other donors such as Unicef and JICA.

In the agricultural sector, VVOB’s ImAgE programme aims to develop the skills of agricultural extension workers including methodologies such as Participatory Technology Development (PTD), Farmer Field School and Field Demonstrations. These methodologies ensure that introduced or developed farming techniques meet the local requirements and the farmers’ needs.

In these capacity building processes, VVOB relies in as much as possible on local knowledge and skills available. When not readily available locally VVOB creates opportunities for local partners to acquire technical expertise while ensuring localisation to the local requirements and needs of the target groups. A multitude of Khmer language training materials in which methodology is embedded are developed and used for training. These processes ultimately lead to a strengthened partner institute and increase sustainability of the results.