Teaching and learning worshops
Sabaragamuwa University
Innovative Teaching Workshop July 13th and 14th 2009
Anji Rae from the School of Education at Durham University led a two day workshop on the Sabaragamuwa Campus. The workshop was primarily aimed at encouraging innovation in learning and teaching. There were 50 participants, representing all 5 faculties of the University. The academic staff ranged from newly appointed lecturers to faculty Deans. This mix of age and experience provided an interesting dynamic environment and resulted in a very challenging and stimulating experience for everyone.
The workshop was part of the wider Sabaragamuwa University staff development programme and was enthusiastically received. In facilitating the workshop Anji drew on a broad range of theory, practice and participant experience with the main focus being the development and enhancement of teaching methodologies. There were high levels of participation in a variety of innovative teaching and facilitation scenarios, all aimed at engaging both staff and students more actively in the learning process. The group variously acted as teachers and learners, using a range of methods, and rose to the challenge with remarkable vigour. The workshop was interactive and a highlight was the ‘teaching' of innovative ‘cameos' which were filmed and played back for analysis, constructive feedback and learning. The workshop culminated in a lively debate about what should be the aims of teaching using an adapted Boal technique.
The participants were presented with an attendance certificate at the conclusion of the two day programme.
National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering (NIFNE) - Staff Development Workshop held in Colombo on 16th and 17th July 2009
NIFNE is an 8 campus institution catering for an important aspect of Sri Lankan industrial development and the workshop took place at the Colombo headquarters.
Anji Rae designed this workshop around the needs of an institute which is undergoing radical and rapid change. It was an ambitious agenda which was in response to the Chairman's request to address the broad organisational change agenda as well as teaching innovation. The 25 participants ranged from the seven heads of campus, the Directors of HE and Administration to younger, inexperienced lecturers. This was a challenge as the levels of experiences and interests were so varied. The topics covered were innovative teaching, communication, motivation, managing change and the expectations approach to team work.
A mix of theory and practice, with the aim of introducing participants to a rage of methodologies, was employed to stimulate the group to consider organisational learning and development. The participants were enthusiastic and were appreciative of the opportunity to work together as a cross section of a fast developing organisation.
University of Colombo 20th July 2009
Innovative Teaching Methodologies
The 1 day workshop was help in College House in Colombo and was attended by 20 University staff. The staff who attended the workshop represented a range of academic disciplines and the majority were inexperienced lecturers. The group were very willing to participate in innovative teaching and learning tasks and enthusiastically discussed a range of practical ways to enliven their delivery of lectures. There was lively debate about how to adapt current teaching styles to encompass innovation and the group became adept at self supporting each other. The Vice Chancellor introduced and concluded the workshop and the feedback she received was positive.