Getting started
3. The Enhanced SBCPD process
The programme provides resources to support the implementation of the Zambian Revised School Curriculum by supporting teachers in teaching knowledge, skills and values and meeting the aspiration of MOGE that teaching be learner-centred and should actively engage learners. The enhanced SBCPD programme has the same roles, structures and processes as the existing SPRINT system, with two enhancements:
- It includes resources that identify specific topics for discussion at TGMs and provides ideas to support teachers in planning classroom activities. The resources draw on international research into what works in teachers’ CPD. Teachers are supported in systematically developing their skills in active teaching and learning by working through a set of teaching approaches. They all collaborate, practise and reflect in order to improve their teaching.
- All teachers are expected to teach the activities that they have planned, in their classroom, rather than observe a demo lesson. In this way, all teachers are actively involved in SBCPD. The reflection after the lesson, with a small group of colleagues, helps them to plan other activities using the same approach.
In year 1, teachers use TGMs to discuss three active approaches per term, and to collaboratively plan classroom activities which use those approaches. All teachers are then expected to carry out their plan in their own classroom. They discuss their experiences with a colleague and plan another activity using the same approach, for a different grade or subject, using what they have learnt. Rather than a formal observation, teachers are encouraged to work in pairs or threes to arrange short informal peer-observations when they are free, designed to provide mutual support.
This is summarized in the diagram below which presents the lesson study cycle and shows how the enhancements fit in. For each step the Enhanced SBCPD activity (ZEST) is given in orange.
In order to plan classroom activities teachers, head teachers and SICs are supported by a ‘toolkit’ of resources. These include:
- Training Resources
- Facilitator Guides
- TESSA resource library
- TESSA Curriculum Guide
- Revised Zambian School Curriculum
- A notebook in which all involved are encouraged to use to record their responses to TGM activities, their plans for classroom activities and their reflections on their teaching.
The details of these resources are explained in the box below:
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The Enhanced SBCPD Toolkit Training Resources – sets out a plan for each term for 6 terms (2 years). In term 6, there are suggestions for subsequent years. In year 1 the plan revolves around 9 active teaching approaches. In year 2, the focus is using TESSA resources, supporting literacy, and sustaining the programme. Facilitator Guides – provides support for those tasked with facilitating a TGM. TESSA Resources Library – a set of open educational resources (www.tessafrica.net), versioned for Zambia by the University of Zambia, which provide classroom examples of active teaching and learning. They will be the focus of Term 4. TESSA Curriculum Guide – produced by a team of teachers, College lecturers and MOGE Officers, this maps TESSA Resources to the Revised Zambian School Curriculum. Teacher Notebook – a place for teachers to record responses to TGM activities, their plans for classroom activities and their reflections on their teaching. |