In-STEP P rogramme- An Overview

1. In-STEP Programme- An Overview A programme for teacher- educators of India organized by USAID in collaboration with MHRD, India A brief presentation from – NirupomaBarikSaikia, 12/ 17/2013 Assam

2. USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development A Brief Introduction • The United States extends help to people overseas struggling to make a better life. U.S. foreign assistance has twofold purpose- • to reflect the American people's compassion and support of human dignity, and • to promote advances U.S. foreign policy interests while improving lives in the developing world. USAID carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress and expanding stable, free societies, creating markets and trade partners for the United States, and fostering good will abroad.

3. Spending less than 1 percent of the total federal budget, USAID works in over 100 countries to: • Promote broadly shared economic prosperity; • Strengthen democracy and good governance; • Protect human rights; • Improve global health,  • Advance food security and agriculture;  • Improve environmental sustainability; • Further education; • Help societies prevent and recover from conflicts; and • Provide humanitarian assistance in the wake of natural and • man-made disasters.

4. ARIZONA Arizona is the 5th largest state in USA among its 56 states. It is in the south- west part of USA. It is a desert area with 4 deserts, one of which is a green desert. Suguaro is the main desert plant and identity of Arizona. ASU is the 6th largest University in USA and top most University in Arizona.

5. West campus Tempe campus ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (ASU) ASU has four unique campuses Downtown Phoenix campus East campus

6. In-step Course (India Support for Teacher Education) - at ASU Mary Lou Futon Teachers College of ASU trained 53 teacher-educators from India for three months. The academic coordinators Of the program most were most experienced And learned Prof. Christopher Clark and Dr. Suzanne Painter. Dr. Mari Koerner, Dean, MLF Teachers College, ASU and the coordinator of the In-STEP, Dr. AraBarsam, ASU are in the Picture.

7. THE In-STEP COURSE The topics discussed during the program were- • Issues in sexual harassment and discrimination • Perspectives of American culture • Core learning science and Reform Planning • Professional Learning Communities • Leadership • Teacher preparation programs of ASU • ICT • Training on classroom instructions that works • TAP rubric- Teacher Advancement Program • Gender equity and inclusion • Leadership for change • Education and Democracy • Sustainability • Early literacy- reading and writing • Ethics • Classroom behavior management • Poverty and Education

8. SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM VISITS- We visited both elementary and high schools in Arizona in groups. The schools I visited are- • Pedro Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa Public School District (10/15/13) • Desert Thunder Elementary School, Phoenix (12/10/13) • Longview Lancers, Osborn School District (11/05/13) • Alhambra High School, phoenix(11/19/13) I also visited classroom instruction in ASU- • Classroom of Dr. Spanias on Mathematics • Classroom of Dr. Irina Okhremtchouk on Language (Reading and Writing)

9. THE PROPOSED CHANGE • After attending learning sessions and observing classrooms at ASU and visiting schools, I realized the differences in between USA and my country in terms of educational opportunities. As such, I proposed to do a pilot-study to change the instructional methods followed in our institute . • The topic of the study is- ‘Capacity Building Of Teachers In Inclusion Of Information And Communication Technology In Classroom Practices’

10. RATIONALE- Integrating ICT in educational processes enhances and enriches the instructional and learning experiences of the teachers and the learners as discussed above. It can provide resources for teachers and learners and open the doors for more comprehensive as well as extended learning. There are so many justifications for this, some of them may be enlisted below- • Transaction of lessons using ICT makes the teaching more interesting and impressive. Additional information, photos and pictures, videos, etc. can be added to teaching with this. • The power of Internet can put the world’s body of knowledge quite literally at one’s fingertip. A computer in a classroom can be an endlessly patient and positive tutor and can supplement the teacher. It provides for professional development of teachers. • An audio recording can encourage the development of good listening skills and meet the needs of auditory learners.

11. A video on nature can bring the most remote corners of the world, the unknown and unseen part of the world into the classroom, to the front of the students. • The newest digital technologies are great boons to the creative teachers and enthusiastic learners. • Technology helps in self-learning and Individualized Instruction. • ICT makes students ready to compete in a high-tech society and future work-place. • Most of the equipment of ICT are energetic tools for making both learning and teaching more productive and engaging. • Considering all these things, I want to make a change in the teaching behavior of our faculties through this project. It is hoped that it will improve the functioning of the DIET, Morigaon and its contribution to the educational development of the district.

12. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT: • The short-term objectives of this study are- • to introduce technology in lesson transactional method by faculties of our institute • to orient teacher-trainees in preparation of Power point presentation of lesson and practice • to use the available technological resources of the DIET • to evaluate the change in classroom practice • confidence building in teachers to integrate technology knowledge with the pedagogical content knowledge

13. DESIRED OUTCOMES: • The desired outcomes of this project are- • The teaching- learning process will be more innovative, interesting and effective. • Learning will be specific and permanent. • The available technological resources of the institute will be used properly. • The teacher- educators will learn to use right technological tools at right time in right way • Development of basic skills in teacher- trainees in making power point presentation, use of Internet and other computer skills. • Teacher- educators and teacher-trainees will be able to intergate technology knowledge with the pedagogy and content knowledge.

14. IMPLEMENTATION STEPS- • Core- group formation • Orientation of the faculties • Content- selection and preparation of ICT- integrated lesson transactional plans • Development of Observation schedule, Opinionnaire and Check-list • Pre- test and Post-test of faculties and teacher-trainees • Classroom transaction of lessons • Technology training of teacher-trainees • Evaluation, Data Analysis and Report Writing

15. Evaluation tools- • Pre-test and Post-test data • Short-survey (Evaluation sheet) done to know participant’s satisfaction in 1st sharing meeting • Interview with teachers and trainees • Opinionnaire • Check-list • Observation Schedule • Daily Project Journal

16. Lets start from small. Thank you.