2 Using OER with teachers

Change is challenging, often leaving teachers feeling unsettled, vulnerable and no longer in control of their classroom.

Some active teaching approaches are easier to implement than others. It is unrealistic to expect a teacher who has always lectured from the front to immediately start organising role plays and groupwork, or to be successful on their first attempts. Change takes time and starts with small, easy steps – but even these can make a difference to students’ learning. For example, asking open questions, promoting pair work or conducting a brainstorm will encourage students to be more involved and give the teacher the confidence to try other approaches. This will also help students to adapt to a new environment in which more is being asked of them.

As a teacher educator, you need to be able to support teachers in developing more participatory and inclusive teaching approaches. Previously, you considered the importance of modelling these approaches in your own teaching. You can use OER to introduce and promote change in teachers’ classroom practices.

Activity 4.3: Assignment 4 – Using TESS-India OER with teachers

Timing: Allow approximately 1.5 hours

This activity is Assignment 4 and is part of your portfolio of participation.

Three teachers
Figure 1
  1. First read the document ‘Active teaching and learning methods [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] ’ and listen again to Professor Patricia Murphy’s talk in Week 1.
  2. Identify what knowledge, skills and ideas you want teachers to learn. This might link to a session you are running on teaching a particular curriculum topic or approach, or the work you do with teachers in school. 
  3. Choose one TESS-India Teacher Development OER that you could use to support teachers’ learning.
  4. Consider how you will use the OER with teachers. Think about the following:
    • What are the learning outcomes you want the teacher to achieve?
    • How will you introduce it to the teacher(s)?
    • What parts of the OER will you use with your teachers – the whole unit or particular parts of it? Which activities will they do?
    • What evidence will you look for to evaluate the teachers’ learning?
    • How will the teachers be expected to use their learning in their future planning and teaching? 
  5. [Reading matter icon] Summarise your ideas from point 4 above in no more than 200 words.
  6. Discuss your ideas with some colleagues or peers.
  7. [Reading matter icon] Reflect on what your colleagues said and note the ideas that you would like to try in the future. You may find this helpful when completing Activity 5.4 (Assignment 5).

1 Considering your own professional development

3 Reviewing your learning