Continuing support to 15 FLC program schools in Banke, Baglung and Solukhumbu
Deployment of grade 8 E-Paath activities and technical support to 15 FLC program schools
October 2016 | Baglung, Banke and Solukhumbu
OLE Nepal’s teams of trainers and technical staff visited program schools
Going over basic troubleshooting techniques in with teachers in Banke
in Banke from September 21 to 26, Baglung from October 24 to 29, and Solukhumbu from September 25 to 28, to install the new grade 8 content, give orientation to teachers, and provide necessary support at each school. The team also carried out required updates on the E-Paati laptops and digital library server — E-Pustakalaya. A new bundle for content of E-Paath Grades 2 to 8 was prepared and installed in the computers at the schools. Focal teachers of the program in each school were also provided E-Paath software bundle and instructed on the installation procedure by OLE’s technical staff. The teams also extended more technical support, including maintenance of E-Paati laptops, school network, replacement of necessary non-functional equipment for the smooth running of the program.
At Banke, a team of technical and training staff visited all 4 schools to update Grade 8 content on all desktops and train teachers on the new content updates, from September 21 to 25, 2016. The technical team also replaced equipments that were damaged. One of the schools, Janashakti LSS, Balapur, was facing problems with their laptop charging rack, damaging over 20 chargers. The charging rack and chargers were replaced as the teachers reported sparking issues.
OLE Nepal’s technical team member repairing damaged laptop screens in Mahendra Higher Secondary School in Baglung.
2 teams of technical and program staff visited all 6 program schools in Baglung for Grade 8 content update on all desktop computers and orientation to teachers from October 24 – 29, 2016. During this visit, the 2 teams also extended technical support on the E-Paati program at the schools by checking all E-Paatis. Damaged E-Paati screens and chargers were replaced in all schools. Ganesh Secondary School and Prithvi Secondary School had not been running E-Pustakalaya for a few months because of the problem on the servers. To fix the issue, the hard drive was replaced.
In Solukhumbu, our team visited all 5 schools between September 25 to 28. Garma Secondary School had recently added 22 desktop computers
Teacher in Solukhumbu exploring new grade 8 content.
on which the team installed E-Paath activities and connected to the school server so that they can access to the range of educational resources. The computers were connected through wireless USB devices in the network. The cost of these devices was shared equally between the project and the school.
Periodic field visits like these, by OLE Nepal’s technical team, help the schools ensure that the program is running properly. Schools visits also allow our teams to collect data on how the digital literacy interventions have affected the learning outcomes of students.
Refresher teacher training, update and technical support to 15 FLC program schools
November 2016 | Baglung, Banke and Solukhumbu
The refresher training for teachers of program schools in Banke, Baglung and Solukhumbu were conducted in the month of November. In Banke and Solukhumbu, 2-day refresher training was conducted at one program school, where teachers from other program schools in the district also attended the training. However, in Baglung, our training and technical team visited each program school to conduct refresher training and technical support.
Teacher using E-Pustakalaya App on Android Device in Solukhumbu
The refresher training focused on getting teachers accustomed to use the newly developed grade 8 E-Paath activities in English, math and science subjects. In addition to that, the teachers also revisited the techniques on integrating digital content on classroom teaching-learning process. There were discussions on good practices, challenges, and lessons they have gathered over the past few years of integrated learning practice. The refresher training held in schools was beneficial for new teachers as well. This training was a good opportunity for them to learn about using E-Paath to enhance classroom learning.
OLE Nepal technical team also visited all the schools to update the latest content onto the school server and update all the E-Paatis. The E-Paatis were updated with the rearranged content that matches the updated curriculum. All desktop computers in the schools were loaded with updated E-Paath Grade 2 to 8 content. Technical support also included networking of the desktop computers and replacement of some equipment.
Reviewing Grade 8 content at Prithivi Higher Secondary School, Amlachaur
A total of 104 teachers were trained during these school visits. Now, all desktop computers in these 15 schools are loaded with E-Paath Grade 7 & 8 content, and the teachers have been trained to integrate these new digital activities in their classrooms. The field visit to each school concluded with the ownership of the program by the beneficiaries, through interaction with the school teachers and the community. In the meetings, the beneficiaries were informed that this would be the last official visit from OLE Nepal with the schools under the FLC project. There were discussions on how schools and OLE Nepal can coordinate for the effective and sustainable implementation of the program in the days to come. Teachers and community were informed to seek necessary assistance remotely from OLE Nepal. Schools were also encouraged to create a fund for maintenance of equipment. Some of the schools have already assigned part of the school budget for contingencies.