The child squashed the ant and asked: ‘Is it still an animate object now?’

By Rotary International

Students eagerly participate in a classroom where the teacher has received training.

Students eagerly participate in a classroom where the teacher has received training.

By Quentin Wodon

Do teacher training programs make a difference in how much students learn in the classroom? If the training programs are well implemented, they can.

Experience around the world suggests that teacher training programs are most effective when they (1) focus on changing teaching methods and practices and not just on providing additional materials for teachers; (2) actually show teachers how to put new methods into place and provide mentoring for junior teachers; and (3) give priority to those teachers who need help the most.

In Nepal, an innovative teacher training program implemented by Nepal Teacher Training Innovations (NTTI), in collaboration with the local nongovernmental organization PHASE, has many of these characteristics, and it does seem to work. While a formal impact evaluation is not yet available, indications from classroom observation have been encouraging. In contrast to teacher-driven and student-silent classrooms, those with trained teachers more closely resemble hubs of learning.

Ashley Hager, founder and director of NTTI, shares a story that illustrates the difference the program can make. Before the training, Ashley says, observers watched a teacher lead a lesson Telling the students, “Today we are going to learn about …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

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