Expert assistance in the development of modules and training on child-centered learning approaches for pedagogical universities, colleges and in-service training institutions (second phase)

22 December, 2024

Project duration: March -December, 2009

Implementing organization: Programul Educațional Pas cu Pas / Step by Step Moldova

Implementing partners: UNICEF Moldova, Moldova State University

Project goal: to continuously promote a learner-centered approach in the system of the pre- and in-service teacher training. The goal of the external expert is to provide on-going assessment and technical assistance in the development of materials, monitoring their implementation, and empowering faculty to promote the new child-centered approach.

The project is a complex endeavor, and Step by Step experts will be involved in the implementation of its several components: (a) validation of the curriculum and guide materials for the course Psychopedagogy of child-centered education developed in the previous project; (b) revision and adaptation of the materials to the needs of teacher training institutions based on the feedback provided by staff using them; (c) expert assistance in the development of the Faculty guide for the implementation of the course on child-centered education; (d) training local trainers and empowering them to providing interactive trainings in their own institutions promoting (and practicing) the concept of child/learner centeredness.

Target group: faculty from the pedagogical universities, teacher training colleges and in-service teacher training institutions (total number – 16)
Immediate Beneficiaries : students of the pedagogical universities and teacher training colleges, in-training teachers

The project addresses the main expert’s concern – and, consequently, recommendation – expressed in the previous phase (project) that in order to produce a real change, it is necessary to raise awareness among the university and college faculty that it is not enough just to introduce an additional course about child-centered education, butrather to model a learner-centered environment while teaching, so that the would-be teachers realize the benefits of this educational paradigm for all ages, i.e. to promote child-centeredness as part of the broader concept of learner-centeredness. The need of taking an integrated approach to child development also makes it necessary to ensure a continuity in the process of child development which, for the education system, means a need for cross-level continuity of child-centered practices.

The project builds on the results achieved in the previous joint project with MSU, in which Step by Step Moldova offered expert assistance in the development of modules and training on child-centered learning approaches to pedagogical universities, colleges and in-service training Institutions. The latter demonstrated that the efforts undertaken by UNICEF in supporting the sector reform were very timely and the support to the pedagogical and teacher training college faculty was much appreciated.

The theory of change promoted by the project is based on the need to update existing teacher training practices, so that they catch up with the reformed school curricula, especially the new set of preschool documents (National Curriculum, Teacher’s Guide, Early Learning and Development Standards and Teacher Standards) based on the ECC philosophy and the concept of Child-Friendly School (CPS).

Project activities implemented by SBSM:

New materials supporting the implementation of the course Psychopedagogy of child-centered education developed
256 faculty from pre- and in-service institutions trained on learner-centered approach attended local trainings
four 3-day ToT modules developed
48 local trainers trained (3 persons x 16 institutions)
materials for local trainings for local trainings developed
provided shadow assistance to 48 local trainers in delivering three 2-day workshops in 16 institutions
on-site monitoring and evaluation visits (2 visits x 16 institutions) organized
2 experience sharing workshops for faculty implementing the course Psychopedagogy of child-centered education facilitated
teachers in the magnet schools for student practicum trained on Child-centered methodology round table for project results sharing and broader dissemination organized