[16.06.06] VITE Lecturers get more DFL ideas from PRIDE workshop


Sponsored by the PRIDE project, the lecturers of VITE got to get their heads around the nitty-gritty of DFL (Distance and Flexibal Learning).

Worshop facilitators were Dr Priscilla Puamau, Education advisor to the PRIDE project, and Teremoana Hodges, Principal of the Cook Islands Teachers Training College. Director of Secondary Education, John Niroa was present at the start to officially welcome participants, and to open the workshop.

Lectures get to redefine the word "Curriculum". Teremoana clarified the definition of the word "curriclulum" distinguishing between the curriculum content of schools and that of VITE. Teremoana also used her session to discuss the question: What is Distance and Flexible Learning? She made the point that in DFL, the Study Guide and the Handbook become the teacher.

Lectueres were divided into three groups to brainstorm what they thought was VITE's vision and mission. The ideas presented were varied and interesting. Here are some of the vision statements proposed by each group:
- Teachers for the ni-Vanutu Society
- Teachers for today and tomorrow
- Excellence in teacher education
- Center of excellence - internationally recognised; current and relevant; incorparation of international and global developments in education
- Be a focal point for servicing the four agencies involved in education at VITE - Teachers Union; Teachers Mininstry of education; Students; Curriculum Unit; Teaching service commission; schools).

In her session, Teremoana covered such things as:
- profile of a DFL teacher/learner - personal backgrounde of Vanuatu year 7/8 teachers,
- stages in writing courses
She went over writing and producing DFL materials, going over Study Guides and Handbook formats/templates. Dr Priscilla did a session to answer the following questions:
1. What would a DFL draft structure look like for VITE? (how long? how many? award? face-to-face?)
2. How will VITE manage the writing of DFL courses?

The workshops ended with a session on "In-service Professional Development of Teachers". Some of the need areas identified, to name a few, were:
- Writing a project proposal
- Research
- Policy design,
- etc...
... by Andrea Leo Hinge