Teamwork of teachers in Elementary School "Ali Gashi", Drenas

This is a story about teamwork and opportunity

The number of teachers who can attend our CTPS training is conditioned by the number of students in each of the schools. For the Elementary School "Ali Gashi" from Drenas only four teachers were chosen to actually listen to the training live, although there was a great interest coming among other teachers as well. Therefore in order to meet the needs of their fellow colleagues, these four teachers decided to organise cascade trainings on CTPS and micro:bit for additional 30 teachers from classes 6 to 9.

After the initial trainings for schools leaders and teachers in CTPS and micro:bit, during the mentoring visits an immense interest started coming from other teachers that couldn’t attend the initial training delivered by the British Council. Since another training wasn’t possible due to the criteria, the trained teachers decided to organise trainings themselves for their fellow colleagues. The interest was great! Another 30 teachers showing up in trainings, who all now practice techniques of CTPS in the learning process as well as support their students to solve everyday challenges using coding options of micro:bit.

Being persistent pays off

Further to the above challenge, there was another one coming up with the next deliverable, that of establishing a coding club and selecting participants. Due to poor infrastructure and lack of lap-tops the ICT teacher Mr.Bejzë Bytyqi was being challenged to deliver this important part of the project. So he went to the neighbouring school “Mehdi e Sylejman Bytyqi” who jumped into assistance by lending six lap-tops. He provided the possibility to every student from classes 6-9 to show the skills of coding with micro:bit, and in the end 22 students were selected, and each individually was provided with a micro:bit. These students continuously code with micro:bit, and present their work during the extra hours at the school.

“This is a huge and important step for us, to compete with our peers from Europe.”

– Lavdije Idrizi Bytyqi, teacher

What are the benefits our programme in this school?

Success of the workshop

The main result of this action is the success of the workshop. This workshop impacted the learning process of more than 30 teachers, who now apply the CTPS techniques as well as coding with micro:bit with all the students of classes 6-9. Further, now these students know how to differentiate the critical thinking questions and respond accordingly, as well as how to address and solve daily challenges through coding with micro:bit. Moreover, the workshop has helped teachers to exchange ideas, learn from each others experience, be proactive in the group work, and most importantly work for the common goal, that of educating new generations to be problem solvers through critical thinking.

Learning process has changed

This workshop changed the learning process for all the attending teachers, who then organized their courses based on the techniques that they have learned during the training. These CTPS techniques influenced students to be more curious, to have a better understanding of the learning process, to develop innovative acumen, and to be faster problem solvers. Further, shaping the future of students by providing grounds for them to be quick learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators, is the ultimate legacy of the education system in general. Thus, 21st CS program offers an approach that is easily adapted and practiced by everyone who is offered the possibility to attend the CTPS and micro:bit training. Further, workshops like these can be easily organised within every school that participated on the CTPS and micro:bit training and it is a great opportunity for every teacher to enrich their portfolio of techniques that would be passed on to the students.

Persistance!

The only challenge that served as an obstacle for the proper delivery of the workshop and the active work of coding club was the lack of electricity in our school. This has caused some delays during the workshop as well as in the coding club projects, but we managed to finish on time. If there would be another possibility presented, then it would be great if more students would get involved. One recommendation would be that the CTPS skills and coding with micro:bit to be included on the curricula from class 6-12 with a volume based on the class level.

“It is a great opportunity coming at the right time, developing skills through games and activities.”

– Diana Bytyqi, student