ICT-SME Module Facilitation

Workshop on Tutor Facilitation ICT-SME Project

What is the role of the facilitator?

Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, 09-10 February 2012

OVERVIEW

IntroductionWhat is a facilitatorWorkshop facilitation is about…..Role of a facilitatorSkills of a facilitatorChallenges of a facilitatorHow to deal with these challengesQuestions

The successful integration of ICT in education requires continuous reviews of the curriculum, to accommodate training in ICT as well as ICT-enabled teaching and learning. ICT will be taught as a subject, and integrated as a pedagogical tool for teaching and learning in other subject areas. The use of ICT will require adjustments to more learner-centered and interactive teaching methods, thus redefining the role of the teacher as a facilitator.

Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) (2007) Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Policy for Basic

Education: ICT for Improved Education  

INTRODUCTIONWhat is a facilitator?“a person who supports educators who are undertaking the courses to get the best from the activities provided”

“a person who is in charge and who integrates a number of parameters: the community of the learners, the connection with the institution that provides the course, and the learning process”

Beukes-Amiss, C.M. and Aimard, V. (2007),Why the need for facilitators?With traditional modes of teaching and learning moving into interactive or constructivist approaches , tutors and teachers are critical in this process as a means of support, fulfilling the role of a facilitator more then an instructor.

InWent (2008)

“a facilitator needs to assist teachers to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in using ICT and digital technologies in their professional life so that they can develop their teaching and they can therefore support the learning of their own students more effectively.”

Microsoft Technology Literacy for Teachers (2011)

• How to engage participants in course material

• How to enable them to interact with you and with each other

• How to support their learning activities

• How to create a space for participants to exchange information and build new knowledge

Facilitation is about…

Teaching to Learning

Teaching Instruction

Subject oriented

Teacher oriented

Role Change

Sage on the Stage Guide by the Side

Passive Learner Independent Learner

Learning Learning Environments

Active Construction

Learner oriented

The Role of a Facilitator

Technical Support

Subject matter expert

IT Expert

Content - ICT-SME Modules

Technology - Laptops

Pedagogy - Constructivist

Facilitator

Assessor

• Promoting interaction and communication in teacher practice community

• Supporting the modelling, conveying and building of knowledge and skills

• Through using the mediation of collaborative & participatory workshops & online platforms

• Through managing interactive learning and group work

The Role of a Facilitator

• Being confident with various technology tools (e.g. websites, presentations, blogs, e-diaries, CDs, e-portfolios, emails, wikis) to support pre-workshop, workshop and post-workshop processes

• Promoting knowledge sharing and construction• Being MOTIVATING at all times• Providing appropriate feedback to group tasks and

plenary discussions• Encouraging continuous interaction among

participants• Evaluating and assessing workshop participation

Skills of a facilitator

CHALLENGES

Examples:The facilitator must be prepared to provide appropriate support for module implementationBe familiar with modular contents and toolkits – e-dairies, e-portfolios, TPACK self-assessment, classroom observation, lesson reflection toolsBe experienced in use of modular e-content resources for all themes and topicsBe confident in working with technology application in SME teaching and learning

CHALLENGES (Continue)

Be in control of the workshop environment, create presentations to orient topic sessions, organise group tasks, facilitate plenary sessions, motivate discussion & reflectionAct like a mediator, neutral in all situations, discrete at all timesInstill a culture of trust and knowledge sharing and building

How to deal with these Challenges?

Scenario 1:

Participant teachers are not used to using laptops for their professional work – lesson planning and content presentation. What must the facilitator do?

Possible Response: The facilitator can integrate the use of the laptops in the

workshops The facilitator can encourage teachers to build e-portfolios of

all group work and plenary tasks and presentations and lesson plan preparation

How to deal with these Challenges?

Scenario 2:

As a facilitator how can you create a balance in the workshops between tutor guidance and teacher interactive and self-directed learning?

Possible response: Balance the presentation of topics in the main module with the use of groups work resources and templates for a participatory workshop approach

How to deal with these Challenges?Scenario 3

As a facilitator you find the module content theoretical. You want the teachers to engage with the content in the workshop in a practical and participatory way.

What can you do and what can you use?

Possible response: Check out the group activity templates in the module resource manual. For each topic in the module use the group activities and templates to ensure active participation and inputs from the teachers.

How to deal with these Challenges?Scenario 4

You want the teachers to assess the learning of their students using ICT.

What frameworks can support the teachers in assessment of the student learning with ICT?

Possible response: Use the e-portfolio to collect samples of the student work.

Use the teacher peer-to-peer classroom observation tool to note moments/ snapshots of whole class, individual and group learning with the use of ICT.

How to deal with thee Challenges?Scenario 5

You want to focus the training on the Tanzania teaching and learning context.

What support content in the modules can assist you in making the training meaningful for teachers?

Possible response: Use the SME case studies as a starting point for discussing the topic themes.Use the resoruce templates to enable teachers to brainstorm the topcis from the perspective of their own practice.Encourage teachers to share their own ideas, resources and classroom experiences in each topic

Challenge 6Scenario 6

As a facilitator how can you ensure that teachers get an opportunity to understand and practice ICT use during the workshops?

Possible response:

Take care with time management.Follow carefully the faciliation process of topic introduction, e-journals, e-portfolios, group work, plenary presentation, facilitation summary and journals for wevery wrokshop session.

Thank you…

Any Questions??

References

• Beukes-Amiss, C.M. and Aimard, V. (2007), Efficient online tutoring: Pre-conference workshop e-Learning Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.

• InWent (2008). eSkills manual. Bonn, Germany• Microsoft Technology Literacy for Teachers (2011) UNESCO ICT Competency

Framework for Teachers: Technology Literacy Strand, Washington, Microsoft• Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) (2007) Information &

Communication Technology (ICT) Policy for Basic Education: ICT for Improved Education [Online], available at: http://moe.go.tz/pdf/MoEVT%20ICT%20Policy%20for%20Basic%20Education%202007.pdf, retrieved 4 February 2012

• Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) (2007) ICT Science, mathematics and English Project: Facilitation Manual, Dar-es-Salaam, MoEVT