How effective teacher training can revolutionise learning in schools

Mohit Patel

The traditional education system is often condemned for its emphasis on rote learning and competition, sidelining the creative and joyful aspects of learning.

Key to effective training programme

• Be mindful of teachers’ workload by developing a programme that complements their existing responsibilities. Striking a balance is crucial to prevent overwhelming teachers and to ensure they can readily integrate new techniques without compromising their primary responsibilities.
• Design programmes that are immediately applicable to daily classroom practice, ensuring that teachers can seamlessly integrate new skills into their teaching methods. Tailored relevance enhances the practical utility of the training, making it more likely for them to implement these methods effectively and consistently.
• Create an atmosphere of open sharing and critical feedback. It should be evaluated at periodic intervals both formally and informally to make changes to the design and implementation.

Despite widespread acknowledgment of this issue, the adoption of progressive alternatives such as “Experiential Learning” remains limited.

Experiential learning prioritises engaging students with concepts through problem-solving, experimentation, and real-world settings. In addition to fostering deeper comprehension of the subject concerned, this method helps students acquire the skills necessary for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

While most schools can initiate experiential learning with some infrastructural and curricular adjustments, its sustainability relies on appropriately trained teachers for execution.

An effective teacher training programme requires a systematic and ongoing approach to teachers’ professional development. It should be spread throughout the academic year with a clear focus on the following skills’ acquisition, which are core to experiential, and most other forms of progressive learning:

Creating engaging activities

Teachers must be trained on designing learning experiences that are engaging and thought-provoking. The key to catering to diverse student needs is to understand age-appropriate learning strategies, align activities with curriculum goals, and incorporate diverse learning modalities

Cultivating a Supportive Learning Environment

Experiential learning thrives in classrooms where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and collaborate freely. Teachers must foster a supportive and inclusive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives, encourages open communication, and provides space for constructive feedback.

This nurturing atmosphere allows students to experiment, learn from mistakes, and build confidence in their abilities

Guiding Reflection and Feedback

Experience-based learning is insufficient on its own without reflection and feedback. Teachers must guide students to analyse, develop conclusions, and relate their experiences to larger ideas.

This may entail leading conversations in groups, giving each student individualised comments, and motivating them to use journals or presentations to reflect on their educational journeys

By equipping teachers with the necessary skills through well-designed and continuously evolving training programmes, schools across the board can empower their educators to architect transformative learning experiences for their students.

The writer is Founder, The Northstar School, Rajkot