A planning meeting was recently held for the upcoming STEM Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop, aimed at approximately 775 secondary school teachers nationwide under the STEP UP project. This important meeting brought together representatives from the National Institute of Education, the Department of General Secondary Education, KAPE, and EMCAST, Korea, all committed to advancing the quality of STEM education in Cambodia.
The forthcoming workshop is meticulously designed to align with the Cambodian curriculum framework, with the primary goal of strengthening teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and innovative teaching strategies. It is set to provide a robust platform for educators to develop and refine their teaching skills, ensuring they can deliver more effective and engaging STEM education.
1. Curriculum Literacy: One of the core focuses of the workshop is to train teachers in curriculum literacy. This involves equipping educators with the skills to plan lessons, align curricula, and implement new teaching methods, assessments, and feedback mechanisms. By enhancing their understanding and application of the curriculum, teachers can ensure that their instruction is coherent and impactful.
2. Backward Design Lesson Planning: The workshop will introduce teachers to the backward design lesson planning framework, a strategic approach that starts with identifying desired learning outcomes and then working backward to plan instructional methods and assessments. This approach helps teachers develop effective teaching habits and create lessons that are purposefully aligned with learning goals.
3. Technology and AI-Based Teaching: In recognition of the growing importance of technology in education, the workshop will include training on AI-based teaching. Teachers will learn how to use artificial intelligence as a teaching aid and integrate it into their educational practices. This will not only enhance their instructional capabilities but also prepare students for a technologically advanced world.
4. Practical Teaching Workshop: The practical component of the workshop will allow teachers to practice and improve their teaching models through collaboration and feedback. This hands-on experience is essential for refining instructional techniques and fostering a culture of continuous improvement among educators.
Supporting the STEP UP Project’s Goals
This comprehensive initiative supports the STEP UP project’s overarching goal of promoting quality STEM education. By investing in the professional development of teachers, the project aims to empower educators to deliver more engaging and effective STEM learning experiences. This, in turn, will enrich the Cambodian education system and better prepare students for future challenges in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In conclusion, the planning meeting and the subsequent workshop represent a significant step towards enhancing STEM education in Cambodia. Through targeted training and innovative teaching strategies, teachers will be better equipped to inspire and educate the next generation of STEM professionals.