video clip of Thinking Schools Ethiopia trainers Atsede Tsehayou, Dagim Melese and Robert Seth Price facilitating the Trainer of Trainers (ToT) who are facilitating their whole schools.
A two days whole staff training was undertaken for over 400 teacher educators under the leadership role of the Trainer of Trainers (ToT). The ToT trainers played key role in effectively transferring via modeling the essential components of the training to ALL educators from Wukro. After the two days training teachers from 2 primary and 1 secondary schools from each Wereda came up with their plan (in a Flow Map) of whole school implementation of Thinking Maps in their respective schools. Worth mentioning it is, here, that the training hall chosen at Wukro site contributed a lot to the success of the overall training. The training was in the auditorium within a Catholic School located in Wukro. It was superb in space, excellent in sound, and sufficient quality chairs and tables for the large group.
Thinking Schools Ethiopia – Tigray is a collaboration of Tigray Development Association and Thinking Foundation for 37 model schools in 12 Woredas located in all 7 zonal administrations with funding administered by Initiative Africa for a Girl’s Empowerment Whole School Change grant from Sida (Swedish Development Agency) that began as a grass roots project by Robert Seth Price along with lead country trainers Atsede Tsehayou and Dagim Melese. Read the chapter on Ethiopia in the Corwin Press book Pathways to Thinking Schools.
Reflections from participants:
The training have gave me deep understanding on active learning, how to encourage thinking skills of students and that it improves students interest to participate actively. I belie this should be organized in regular basis. The training was very supportive as we are able to gain skills to facilitate more participatory sessions, built on students backgrounds, encourage thinking and engagement in learning. I would like to thank TDA and thinking school international for this opportunity.
Birhane – Geography teacher from Enticho secondary school.
From this training I was able to gain knowledge on how to enhance student participation, how to encourage critical thinking. I am inspired to make more effort after I went to my school. However I beg you to continue such trainings.
Haftom zenebe from seharti smre primary school.It was very helpful training where I have been able to gain new perspective of what thinking is and how to encourage it. I believe this should continually happen.
Meresiet from Ahizera primary school
From this training I have learned
- Types of maps
- Use of maps
- The visibility of expression using maps
- How to control trainers
- How to motivate trainers to be effective in their work.
- How to encourage participation in every activity.
Zenebu Kahisa from Millennium OFLA secondary school
First of all, I would like to thank Mr Robert and all his coworkers. I have gained very much knowledge on thinking maps. I have also got different experiences from many directions in just two days. I am very satisfied with the program.
Adane Legesse, from Zata primary schoolI have learned much about thinking maps to mention some:
- Deep understanding of thinking mean
- How to guide student of different backgrounds and with different perspectives.
- Developed good relationship with each trainee
- How to interpret ideas and believes visually.
- How to encourage students to think critically
I really thank the trainers and people who coordinated and sponsored the training.
Mulu dagnewu Menkere primary school.I am happy of the methodologies , motivation mechanisms, and various skills to let students participate.
Meseret Birhanu from Zelalem desta primary school.I was able to gain skills of encouraging students learn in simple and entertaining way. And let students think freely.
Negash Tesfay from Almaz alemu primary school
First of all I would like to thank Robert, Dagim and Atsede for their unreserved commitment they showed during the two day training and their all concern to help us. I was able to learn from you:
- How to apply thinking maps to all courses
- Effective presentation
- How to motivate refresh and support students to think and learn.
Daniel from Tilahun Yigzaw secondary school
From this training I was able to gain knowledge on how to enhance student participation, how to encourage critical thinking. I am inspired to make more effort after I went to my school. However I beg you to continue such trainings.
Haftom zenebe from seharti smre primary school.It was very helpful training where I have been able to gain new perspective of what thinking is and how to encourage it. I believe this should continually happen.
Meresiet from Ahizera primary schoolWhat I liked from this training is:
- The preparation that have been made to train trainers and organize whole school
- Skills to apply the 8 thinking maps to various fields
- How to encourage students learn independently to enhance their thinking.
- It was more practical but with concise theoretical basis
What I think need improvement:
- Two days is very short
I recommend that more such trainings be organized.
Hagos Abadi- grade 7 geography teacher from Seka primary school.
The Thinking Schools Ethiopia project funding is administered by Initiative Africa with funding from Sida for Whole School Change with a focus on Empowering Young Girls. Read more at the Initiative Africa website.
