Towards better education: lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic

Description

Teachers, students and parents had to endure unprecedented conditions since March 2020, where the world seemed to have stopped due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. Yet, education had to continue and with that we needed to find creative ways to ensure the continuation of the teaching and learning processes. The main focus was on using technology and remote teaching and learning, yet as we were moving fast and we had to find quick solutions we all faced myriad challenges in terms of accessibility, connectivity, content adaptations, social relationships and collaboration and coordination amongst the school, teachers, parents and students. However, in spite of the challenges, we learnt valuable lessons which we can use to improve the teaching and learning processes as we move forward. To highlight these lessons learnt, share them and use them, we created this course.

The themes and content of this course are based on action research conducted by 14 educators in formal and informal schools in Lebanon. The research included interviews with teachers, inclusion specialists, education and technology specialists, councillors, head-teachers, parents and students. The research was supported by 6 education specialists based in Lebanese universities and research institutions. Hence, this course is special as it is based on real life experiences.

COVID 19 added to the compounded crisis that many of us are facing, such as conflicts, mass displacement and economic hardships. For that, this course is aimed at Arabic-speaking educators, especially those who work in complex emergencies where the necessary resources for education and distance learning are not available, and for educators who face challenges to accessing needed resources. These educators may work in the context of formal or informal education. The course also aims to support university students who completed their studies in the field of education and to support volunteers in humanitarian and development organizations working in the field of education

This course helps to enable its participants to exchange effective educational methods by sharing their real experiences in teaching in emergency contexts. This course takes a collaborative approach, open to all teachers and professionals who work in difficult contexts in order to share their experiences, skills and practices to face these problems together.

Assessment and participation certificates

All participants will receive certificates of participation once they complete all the weeks and activities associated with each week.

We wish everyone an active and useful participation

What you’ll learn

Acquire skills needed to utilize holistic and inclusive teaching methods

Merge the skills of using technology in education with the skills of face to face education in order to create learning spaces that are more inclusive and effective

Acquire the ability to produce new assessment methods appropriate and suitable for the changes that have occurred in the teaching and learning spaces and methods

Create cooperative and positive relationships between parents and educators that lead to a better learning environment, especially for learners with special needs