Ei-iE

World Teachers Video Network founder, Andrew Bethell, talks with EI about key global education issues

What is the mission of World Teachers’ Video Network (WTVN)?

WTVN’s mission is to identify and share effective practice that is transferable, affordable and scaleable, and will both inspire teachers and support their professional development.

In your opinion, which are the key global issues that need special attention and coverage in education?

The key topics will be the promotion of child-centred and active learning, assessment for learning, enquiry based learning, and the use of information technology. There will be particular emphasis on literacy, mathematics and science.

Other ‘hot topics’ include:

• Promoting social and emotional wellbeing
• Gender equality
• The support of children with special education needs
• Environmental  education for a sustainable future
• 21st century skills for the active participation in a global community
• New forms of assessment that do more than test narrow skills

What do you think should be the role of education trade unions in the current context of the economic crisis?

The highest priority right now must be to promote teachers’ roles and quality teaching as the basis for a long-term economic recovery. This means fighting against both the draconian cuts and the regressive tendencies in many countries to narrow the curriculum and increase testing.

At the same time, it is important not to allow the current threats to distract from a commitment to a well-trained and highly motivated professional workforce, engaged in an ongoing process of reflection and improvement. Therefore, raising the status and morale of teachers is crucial.

Finally, new technology and social networks offer a unique opportunity for teachers to connect with their colleagues from around the world, offering the opportunity for support and collaborative learning.

Tell us about one of the stories that you have recently featured and have touched you in particular.

It is often assumed that a child-centred pedagogy that brings learning alive is the preserve of the developed world, but one of the most inspiring examples we have found that disproves this comes from a Mathematics teacher in Morocco.

His school planted an olive grove some years ago, and now use the olive crop as the basis for much of the maths taught in the school. Not only do the pupils help tend the trees but they work out yields and costs, working in collaborative groups.

But even better, they follow the olives on to see how they are turned into oil, offering more meaningful calculations and relevant mathematics and the chance to measure the distance walked by the poor camel that powers the ancient stone press! Sound pupil-centred pedagogy; relevant, practical and in tune with the environment: inspiring transferable education practice.

For a short extract, see: http://vimeo.com/37991243

For the full video: http://www.proteachersvideo.com/Programme/25353/where-maths-grows-on-trees