Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Building Teacher Capacity: A Model of Co-Development
The Building Teacher Capacity (BTC) project, a collaborative effort to improve instructional leadership, combines an instructional resource kit in DVD format with a summer institute. Designed to extend and enhance the continuing professional education provided by the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), the primary goal of this project is to better prepare principals in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to model good instructional practice, implement needs-driven professional development, and provide ongoing support for all teachers, but particularly those with provisional certification status.
The project is being co-developed by the PRELSTAR program of Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), the RMI Ministry of Education, and the CMI. It is being funded through a Star Schools grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The BTC DVD includes the following components: Demonstration lessons. In ten-minute, English-subtitled video and audio segments, Marshallese teachers demonstrate instructional practices in science, math, health, social studies, Marshallese language arts, and English as a Second Language. Teacher interviews in both Marshallese and English are also included.
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Topic overviews. Introductions to key leadership concepts for principals are in PowerPoint format with audio voiceovers in both Marshallese and English. Topics include planning for effective staff development and managing the classroom.
Simulation. Principals can practice skills and apply knowledge in a variety of simulated problem-solving scenarios.
Information resources library.
Initially available only in print, this resource provides articles, sample lesson plans, and other references used to support leadership development and exemplary instructional practice.
Another part of the BTC project is a summer institute convened by the Ministry of Education and co-facilitated by PREL and CMI. This week-long institute, to be held in August 2002 in RMI, will introduce BTC resources to a select group of principals and will provide the opportunity to engage in collaboration and practice problem solving.
For more information on the BTC program, please contact PRELSTAR’s Associate Director for Professional Development Katherine Kautzer at kautzerk@prel.org or Senior Instructional Designer Randy Knuth at knuthr@prel.org.
Virtual Mathematics Class
CD-ROM Provides Convenient Professional Development Experience for Busy Teachers
A new CD-ROM, A Process Approach to Middle and Secondary School Mathematics: Algebra I, provides professional development for middle and secondary school mathematics teachers looking for fresh and effective instructional approaches and assessment techniques. Developed by Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) and the Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, the CD-ROM combines video clips of classroom “best practices” with training and curriculum materials in a multimedia professional development resource that busy teachers can access without leaving the classroom.
Focusing on three key areas – algebraic content, instructional strategies, and assessment – A Process Approach to Middle and Secondary School Mathematics: Algebra I takes a unique approach: it follows a teacher and her algebra students throughout an entire school year. Each of the three- to five-minute video clips was selected by master teachers at CRDG to illustrate some facet of mathema- tics teaching or learning. Some clips show teachers demonstrating instructional strategies, while others show students developing mathematical concepts, working collaboratively, presenting their work, and leading class discussions. While the CD-ROM is designed to serve middle and secondary school teachers of mathematics, any math teacher can learn effective classroom practices from it.
Each video clip is accompanied by text that provides detailed commentary. Problem sets that teachers can use with their students and files that contain samples of assessment rubrics, student work, and tests and quizzes are included. While A Process Approach to Middle and Secondary School Mathematics: Algebra I is keyed closely to the “Algebra I: A Process Approach” curriculum and methodo-logy developed by CRDG and supports PREL’s Pacific Algebra Network project, the CD-ROM is a stand-alone professional development resource. For more information, please contact Kavita Rao at raok@prel.org .
Teacher Certification
New Program Offers Credits
Through Distance Learning
Starting this summer, Pacific island teachers seeking to earn credits towards certification and bachelor’s degrees will have a new option. They can participate in a distance learning program that will enable them to take courses without leaving their families and their jobs. The program was developed through a partnership between Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific. All region IHEs have agreed to work toward accepting credits offered through the program and to articulate the courses with their degree-granting programs.
Partners in the new program include PREL, the University of Guam, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, American Samoa Community College, the College of Micronesia-Federated States of Micronesia (COM-FSM), Guam Community College, Palau Community College, the College of the Marshall Islands, and Northern Marianas College. COM-FSM will provide instruction, while Northern Marianas College will grant 300-level credits to ensure that students progress beyond their associate’s degrees. Six courses were identified as the core of any pre-service teacher education program: educational psychology, introduction to exceptional children, classroom management, classroom methods, evaluation and assessment, and literacy.
While distance learning is the key component in the project, instruction will be enhanced through facilitated group learning. Group discussions and projects building on the course material will be led onsite by facilitators, who will be present during all classes. To ensure classroom participation and maintain educational integrity, classes will be limited to 15 students per facilitator. The pilot for the program will begin this summer, with Pacific departments and ministries of education identifying groups of teachers to participate in the initial course offering.
