Forum 1: From output to outcomes-based approaches

Hi everyone,

Here is the follow up post with my take on how these outputs are linked to the outcomes.

These are the expected outcomes:

1. Learners with the attitude and skills for better livelihood, appropriate environmental response and social inclusion
2. Increased, equitable access to and use of quality learning opportunities by teachers and learners
3. Organisations with improved capacity for flexible learning
4. Learning resources relevant to sustainable development
5. Teacher networks, sustainable Communities of Practice and community linkages
6. ODL models adopted, tested and implemented by organisations for scaling up
7. Significantly improved flexible learning systems and practices for quality learning opportunities
8. Documented organisational reforms through ODL policies and guidelines for quality learning opportunities

So to unpack these…

In the new KTC programme there is a strong focus on climate change (Kiribati is disproportionally affected by climate change). KTC has just finished redesigning the course on innovative teaching approaches and all tasks are contextualised in this problem area. For example, teachers-to-be need to develop PBL tasks and WebQuests in the area of climate change, etc. These tasks will also make their way in the micro-learning nuggets which we plan to develop for the wider community of in-service teachers. By making these teaching approaches really hands-on with ready-to-take-to-class examples, we are making it much easier for teachers (new and in-service) to actually make a difference in their respective classrooms.

With a strong focus on the online components (both design and e-facilitation), we are also working towards increased flexibility. Here again, we’re making sure that the online component is not just a dump of resources, but rather active and participatory learning environments where students ‘do’ the work (practice), rather than just ‘talk about’ how it should be done (theory).

The sharing of the micro-learning nuggets on the Kiribati community platform will be a first step towards establishing an online community of Kiribati teachers. We want to create the micro-learning nuggets first before launching the online community, because it creates a good context (a carrot?) for inviting everyone along. We intend to create a two-week online learning event around this to provide the necessary context and ‘buzz’. The 5 in-service teachers who were trained in the e-facilitation workshop last year will be instrumental in mobilising their colleagues.

The KTC  course on innovative teaching approaches encourages the inclusion of local experts in their PBL/IBL tasks (it is planned to take the same approach in the other courses that are being re-developed). It would be good to include this in the PBL micro-learning nuggets for the wider teacher community too, with clear ready-to-use examples (and perhaps details of experts who are willing to be called upon?). If this is indeed implemented, we will have achieved increased community linkages.

Hope this provides additional insights. Looking forward to your ideas, suggestions... or anything else you can help us with :)

Anouk

Anouk,

Well done. Lots of ground covered. At NTI, we are also at the verge of putting some of our Programmes online. I think we will need a dose of what you are doing over there in Kiribati.  We will continue to monitor your progress to learn from it. We will look at our MOU wth COL to see whether there are some elements of this already there otherwise we  will see how we can gate-crash in the nearest future. Good job.

Olude