In September 2011, the International Reading Association (IRA) announced a three-year partnership with the CTL (Collaborative for Teaching and Learning), Nokia (the global mobile communications corporation), and the Pearson Foundation to train teachers in Bangladesh and Indonesia to use the IRA Diagnostic Teaching Model (DTM).
The mission of this new partnership is to promote primary literacy development through mobile technology and on-site training. DTM provides classroom teachers with core knowledge, skills, and tools to teach reading and writing at the primary level, including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, writing, and speaking.
With technical and financial support from Nokia and Pearson, including provision of mobile hand-held devices and online video streaming, IRA and CTL will implement a comprehensive literacy teacher professional development network supported by both face-to-face and virtual training and mentoring. CTL will provide project management and facilitate local planning, local literacy leadership team development, development of content for the Nokia Education Development (NED) system, and virtual mentoring for trainers and leaders.
Experienced IRA volunteers will conduct all program training and participate in online mentoring. NED will include self-study videos, compilations of student work with audio voice-overs, samples of teacher practice and related discussion boards, and other field-based information.
IRA affi liates in Bangladesh and Indonesia have already participated in training and mentoring to support development of country-specific planning. In the next phase of work, these plans will be implemented, supported by on-site professional development in DTM and literacy leadership development. Implementation will also be supported through virtual networking and coaching, through Nokia’s NED system and online social networking structures. All support will be interactive and customized to each country’s implementation plan.
The Global Literacy Professional Development Network addresses United Nations Education for All (EFA) Goals, including expanding and improving early childhood care and education for disadvantaged children; improving adult literacy, and equitable access to basic education for all adults by 2015; and improving the quality of education so that recognized levels of literacy and essential life skills are achieved by all.
Click here for CTL's article about the partnership