To mark this year’s World Teachers Day, Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (AKU- IED, EA) held a workshop for teachers across East Africa in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop titled ‘What makes Active Learning ‘Active’ convened over 30 teachers from private and public schools to build their capacity on engaging learners in active learning.
Active learning is where learners do more than just listen, they share their thoughts and experiences. There are various ways which teachers can use to engage their learners to learn actively. For example; teachers can use the ‘silent wall’. To demonstrate this during the workshop, each participant was tasked with writing characteristics of active learning and sticking them on a wall while rating each activity from most important to the least.
“As teachers we should take note that our learners are not blank slates. This goes down to the early years, you will be amazed with what these young learners can share. Their creativity and imagination if nurtured at this age will allow them to have good reasoning skills. As teachers we should continue to be innovative and creative to transform education practices in our schools'', said Dr Jane Rarieya, faculty, and lead facilitator at AKU-IED, EA.
The participants also shared their experiences and what works best with their learners in their classroom.
“The workshop was a refreshing flash of new ideas, methodology and fun learning creativity inclusions in class for our children. My ‘wow’ moment was the fun practical and language games that we played, some that I can use in class. Also, the variety of activities we did made the session for us interactive and not just theoretical. Facilitators were also very positive, helpful, and inspiring. We look forward to many more sessions to help us improve our teaching’’, said Fatima Rwajani, from the Early Childhood Development Centre, Aga Khan Community.
AKU-IED, EA will continue to offer short workshops and trainings by identifying specific areas in teaching and learning that will empower teachers to acquire creativity and innovation in the 21st century.
To mark this year’s World Teachers Day, Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (AKU- IED, EA) held a workshop for teachers across East Africa in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop titled ‘What makes Active Learning ‘Active’ convened over 30 teachers from private and public schools to build their capacity on engaging learners in active learning.
Active learning is where learners do more than just listen, they share their thoughts and experiences. There are various ways which teachers can use to engage their learners to learn actively. For example; teachers can use the ‘silent wall’. To demonstrate this during the workshop, each participant was tasked with writing characteristics of active learning and sticking them on a wall while rating each activity from most important to the least.
“As teachers we should take note that our learners are not blank slates. This goes down to the early years, you will be amazed with what these young learners can share. Their creativity and imagination if nurtured at this age will allow them to have good reasoning skills. As teachers we should continue to be innovative and creative to transform education practices in our schools'', said Dr Jane Rarieya, faculty, and lead facilitator at AKU-IED, EA.
The participants also shared their experiences and what works best with their learners in their classroom.
“The workshop was a refreshing flash of new ideas, methodology and fun learning creativity inclusions in class for our children. My ‘wow’ moment was the fun practical and language games that we played, some that I can use in class. Also, the variety of activities we did made the session for us interactive and not just theoretical. Facilitators were also very positive, helpful, and inspiring. We look forward to many more sessions to help us improve our teaching’’, said Fatima Rwajani, from the Early Childhood Development Centre, Aga Khan Community.
AKU-IED, EA will continue to offer short workshops and trainings by identifying specific areas in teaching and learning that will empower teachers to acquire creativity and innovation in the 21st century.
