Training for teachers

Teachers at the training programme on Active Learning Methodology which began in Salem on Tuesday.The four-day training programme for school teachers on Active Learning Methodology, a new teaching method, has begun in all the block resource centres in the district on Tuesday.The method is aimed at improving the education quality in Standards VI to VIII. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) introduced the method in ten schools in Ayodhyapattinam block in the district on a trial basis this academic year. The method is expected to be introduced in all the schools in the State in the coming academic year.

The programme will enable the teachers to understand various concepts used in the method and ensure effectiveness in the teaching-learning process in the Standard VI-VIII.SSA officials said that the Active Learning Methodology is primarily based on "SQ4R” concept, which lays importance on aspects such as Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review and Reflect. Students would be encouraged to undertake self-learning and peer-group learning. The child will be motivated to use the mind power mapping technique to draw the lesson in a pictorial form, officials said.

Each student will be asked to prepare a mind power map of the content based on his or her understanding. The teacher will review the maps, identify the areas where students lack understanding and help them learn better. This provides the teacher an insight into the psyche of the student, officials said.The method will help children become more creative. It will be useful to teach English, science and social science subjects, officials added.The SSA will conduct more training programmes on the method to all the teachers taking classes for Standards VI - VIII.