iTeach: Leveraging technology to redesign the teaching experience in Sierra Leone
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
Founding Story
Melissa
Faux
Project Athena
, GA
, Pilot in Freetown, Bo
Less than a year
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Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
Access to technology, Access to education/training.
None. It is still in idea stage
Goals (by end of Year Two)
- Train 180 instructional coaches to deliver PD training and provide follow-up classroom support
- Provide continuous, on-the-job training for approximately 3,600 female and rural teachers
- Conduct research to determine what makes the most significant difference in helping teachers help students learn
Expected Outcomes
- Increase access for female and rural teachers to professional development training
- Improve the effectiveness and teaching practices of all teachers who receive training
- Increase the number of highly effective teachers in rural schools
- Improve the levels of engagement and achievement among female students
- Improve overall levels of student engagement and achievement
FOCUS: Program planning and curriculum development
Apply for grants and other forms of financial support to develop the curriculum and multimedia tools
Assemble a team of teachers, content specialists, curriculum developers, and PD trainers to develop the curriculum
Identify key partners (NGOs, civic organizations) in Sierra Leone with whom to partner with to implement the program
FOCUS: Product development, research and program launch
Develop tools and applications and test capabilities in the field, particularly in remote areas
Design and conduct research study to measure the impact of our training program
Identify and train first cohort of instructional coaches
A key priority in the next three-months is to explore and form keys partnerships with orgnaizations who currently operate in Sierra Leone. Below are potential partners we've identified so far:
Advisory and Technical Partner
a)Sierra Leone Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports*
b)Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)
c)Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU)*
Research Partner
c) Innovations with Poverty Action (IPA)*
*We've initiated contact and/or have begun prelimianry discussions
Top priorities:
1) Investment - We need more funds to develop the curriculum and multimedia tools.
2) Human resources/Talent - the success of this project depends greatly on our ability to (a la Jim Collins)'get the right people on the bus'. This includes not only assembling the right project team, but also identifying and developing the right partnerships to create the most synergy.