In 2009 the ‘Teacher Training Support Programme’ came at full speed. VVOB runs this programme together with the Ministry of Education. Its main purpose is to improve teacher training for basic school teachers (grade 1 till 9). VVOB works with every Teacher Training College for Basic Education, the National In-Service Teachers’ College (NISTCOL) and ZAMISE to strengthen Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within the colleges. To improve School-Based CPD, VVOB cooperates with the Educational Support Teams at provincial and district levels in three provinces. The programme gives possibilities to students in Flanders to do a internship in Zambia. It also promotes school partnerships between Zambian schools and schools in Flanders.
CPD at college level
VVOB works directly with the national CPD task team to strengthen CPD at college level. The CPD task team, with representation of the colleges, University of Zambia (UNZA), NISTCOL and the Ministry, meets regularly to learn with and from each other and to lead the change in the colleges. A Teaching and Learning (T&L) policy is developed to describe the desired quality of teaching and learning in the colleges. All colleges develop an action plan for improvement after a self-evaluation and a coaching visit. Some common topics in the action plans include development of T&L materials and methods and effective use of ICT. In 2010, VVOB will continue to support the action plans and develop a sustainable system to strengthen the competences of lecturers important for college-based CPD (e.g. collaborative learning, coaching, action research).
ICT to enhance communication and improve teaching and learning
End 2009 a basic ICT infrastructure is in place in all colleges. VVOB supports this by offering basic training and investments in the form of computers, laptops, beamers and camcorders. They all have Internet connectivity, which enhances the communication between VVOB and the colleges, and between lecturers from different colleges. VVOB also supports the implementation of ICT proposals to improve the sustainability of the ICT infrastructure. Many colleges ask for training on the International Computer Driving License (ICDL). In total 28 lecturers from seven colleges enroll in this training. After a one-day on-site introduction session, participants go through the learning manuals and software at their own pace. In 2010, further support will be given via a boot camp organised at NISTCOL. VVOB will also focus more on the effective use of ICT in education by developing capacity within the colleges to use Open Educational Resources (OER) and web 2.0 tools.
Grassroots Zambia
To enhance experimental use of ICT for classroom purposes, VVOB launches a new initiative in 2009, called ‘Grassroots Zambia’. Lecturers and teachers from schools are asked to submit an innovative ICT proposal. In total 25 proposals are selected, which can be divided into five groups:
- Find, search and collaborate
- Audio, visual and video learning
- Gadgets and tools
- Language and mathematics
- Hands-on IT
End 2009, all projects are well on their way. Some will be showcased at the eLearning Africa Conference in Zambia in May 2010. Good practices will be disseminated by means of a seminar and publication (see also http://grassrootszambia.webs.com).
Distance education
To improve teacher training programmes offered by distance, VVOB builds capacity at college and Ministry level. At Ministerial level, VVOB supports the drafting of quality guidelines for Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL). At college level, a group of ten delegates take part in an international conference in Ghana to learn more about distance education. The distance education coordinators agree on support priorities. As a first step, 60 module writers of colleges are trained in module writing for distance students, using Open Educational Resources in collaboration with TESSA (www.tessafrica.net). In 2010 the programme will focus on sensitisation in ODeL, advanced module writing, learner support at district level and innovative pilots in portfolio development and mobile learning.
School-based CPD in regular and community schools
VVOB supports school-based CPD to improve the teaching skills of teachers already in school, using existing structures (the Teacher Resource Centres). There are two popular methodologies to strengthen CPD for teachers: the INSET cycle, which is based on identified needs, and the lesson study approach where a teacher gives a demonstration lesson while being observed by peers. Afterwards, they discuss the lesson and suggest how it could be improved. In 2009, VVOB supports more than 600 INSET training activities and the basic facilities of some Teacher Resource Centres are improved by distributing books, computers and printers.
The programme gives specific attention to community schools. In 2009, steady progress is made to implement CPD in Community Schools. In Central Province, VVOB supports orientation workshops on the lesson study approach for about 450 teachers in 120 Community Schools. In the Northern Province a training package is developed on twelve Teaching Skills. Numerous schools receive library books, computers and printers and their staff are trained in basic computer skills.
