Integrating student centered approaches in science teacher training in Cambodia

Strengthening

Student Centered Learning

In Science Teaching In Cambodia

Global Learn Asia Pacific 2010, Penang, Malaysia

Contents

1. Cambodia

2. Country context

3. Education context

4. Student centered approaches?

5. Methodology

6. Barriers encountered

7. Lessons learned

8. Contact

Teacher training college, Kandal province

1. Cambodia

KANDAL PROVINCE

1. Cambodia

2. Context Education

• Education For All (EFA) by 2015 (UNESCO)– Child Friendly School Policy (UNICEF)

• Focus on increased enrollment• Effective teaching and learning

Student centered approachesSkills

2. Context Education

• Versus practice of “rote learning”• Focus on:

– How things work?– Conceptual science teaching– Skills

• Active reading• Note taking• Creative writing• Reasoning• Formative assessment• Collaborative learning• Problem solving

3. student centered approaches

• Why?• Teacher satisfaction • Student motivation• Better learning• Different learning styles• Interest in science

3. student centered approaches

INPUT

PEER TEACHIN

G

TRY-OUT IN CLASS

TRAINING

MATERIAL

MONITORING

4. Methodology

4. Methodology

Testing and training at training center in

Kandal

Training and monitoring at other training centers

5. Barriers

Lack of content knowledge

Lack of confidence

Teacher rotation

Curriculum & Textbook issues

Teaching material

Big classes

High Absenteeism

6. Lessons Learned

• Small groups & frequent feedback• Time for localization of methodologies and materials

– E.g. adapt to lesson plan structure• Focus on lesson objectives• Monitor progress through peer-teaching and try-outs• Focus on time aspect of SCA

– Quick-and-easy methodologies for fast results• Involve both lecturers and teachers from practice schools

7. Further research

• Long term monitoring to measure impact on school level.• In-depth analysis of barriers to student centered

activities (experiments)

8. Contact

• Interested ?

• VVOB Cambodia http://www.vvob.be/vvob/?q=en/cambodia_en

• Uon Virak virak.vvobseal@gmail.com

• Stefaan Vande Walle stefaan.vvobseal@gmail.com