Day 2: February 27, 2024
The second day of the CL4STEM TOT Workshop continued to offer a wealth of insights and practical strategies aimed at empowering secondary school STEM educators. As we delved deeper into innovative pedagogical approaches and explored the integration of technology in teaching, the workshop provided a platform for reflection, collaboration, and professional growth.
Session 1: Reflective Teaching with Technology
Dr. Reeta Rai commenced the day with a thought-provoking session on Reflective Teaching with Technology (RTICT). Through interactive discussions and practical demonstrations, Dr. Rai highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to enhance teaching practices and promote reflective pedagogy. As educators, we were encouraged to embrace digital tools and platforms that facilitate active learning, student engagement, and formative assessment. The session underscored the transformative potential of technology in education and motivated us to explore innovative ways of integrating technology into our teaching repertoire.
Sessions 2 and 3: Universal Design Learning (UDL) and Lesson Planning
In the subsequent sessions, Dr. Reeta Rai delved into Universal Design Learning (UDL) and its components, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive learning environments that cater to diverse student needs. Through interactive discussions and group activities, we explored how UDL principles could be applied in lesson planning across various subject areas. Participants collaborated in subject groups to design lessons using the components of UDL, fostering creativity and innovation in curriculum development. The activity segment provided a valuable opportunity for peer learning and knowledge sharing, as educators showcased their lesson plans and received feedback from their colleagues.
Session 4: Open Educational Resources (OER) Platform and Action Research Orientation
In the final session of the workshop, both Dr. Reeta Rai and Dr. Kinley introduced us to the Open Educational Resources (OER) platform—a common pedagogy module aimed at facilitating collaborative lesson planning and resource sharing among educators. We were oriented on lesson planning and reflection templates, as well as the features of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) workshop for peer assessment. Participants were tasked with completing four modules on the OER platform, wherein they would upload two lessons and one video lesson in each module. This hands-on approach to professional development encouraged active engagement and practical application of workshop learnings.
The session concluded with a sharing of oral concerns and feedback from the participants, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration in addressing key issues in STEM education. Mr. Pelden, a teacher from Wangbama CS, raised concerns regarding copyright protocols related to research articles and documents, while educators from Kuzhugchen MSS and Dechencholing HSS emphasized the importance of research validity in the context of our education system. Damcho Wangchuk, a teacher from Bajothang HSS, proposed expanding the intake of action research proposals from each school to promote teacher-led inquiry and innovation.
In response to these concerns, Offg. Chief Mrs. Pelden from TDD, MoESD, provided valuable insights into the requirements of action research for teachers, ICT infrastructures in schools, and the importance of professional learning communities. She assured teachers that the ministry would consider increasing the intake of action research proposals and conveyed their concerns to relevant authorities. Additionally, Drs from SCE welcomed teachers to submit their action research proposals to their seminar platform, further promoting teacher-led research and collaboration.
In closing the two-day workshop, Dr. Reeta Rai expressed gratitude to the participants for their active participation and commitment to professional growth. The workshop concluded on a note of inspiration and empowerment, as educators left with renewed enthusiasm and a wealth of practical strategies to enhance STEM education in their respective schools.
Reflection
The CL4STEM TOT Workshop has been a transformative experience, providing a platform for reflection, collaboration, and professional growth. The sessions on Reflective Teaching with Technology, Universal Design Learning, and Open Educational Resources have equipped me with practical strategies and tools to enhance my teaching practices and promote inclusive learning environments. As I continue my journey of professional development, I am inspired to integrate these innovative approaches into my classroom instruction and contribute to the advancement of STEM education in Bhutan.
