TWI for the Children
Kosovo Workshop Summaries
March 19 - 20, 2005
The purpose to this page is to provide a summary of the Training Workshop series conducted by Mrs. Bonnie Miller in Mitrovica, Kosovo and participation in a workshop in Pristina, Kosovo on how to make the school system more "child friendly". The Educational Seminar was made possible by a donation from TWI for the Children, Inc.
OVERVIEW
On
Saturday, March 19, 2005, Bonnie Miller (Trainer with TWI for the Children)
conducted a seven hour educational seminar at the
MORNING THEMES
Morning themes included teacher-student relations, active and engaging methods of instruction, and a relevant curriculum for the 21st century. Discussion of the child as a whole person with unique talents and as a world citizen contributor to the future included the topics of emotional intelligence, life skills such as communication and conflict resolution, and participatory abilities for living in a democracy.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The afternoon session concentrated on children with learning disabilities and attention problems and how to identify these students and help them in the regular classroom. The importance of parent-teacher communication was also emphasized.
PRESENTATION TECHNIQUE
The seminar was presented using Albanian power-point software with explanations and examples through an interpreter. Immediate feedback from this weekend seminar was extremely positive. Educators enjoyed the interactive multimedia approach, which demonstrated the use of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic teaching styles. In addition to lectures and power point format, a video in Albanian language was presented. Participants held small group and large group discussions, brainstorming, role playing, exercises in which they experienced how it feels to have a learning disability, and a Question and Answer session.
MATERIALS PROVIDED
Each participant was given a packet which included Bonnie Miller’s materials:
“Connecting with Children in the Classroom: Manual for Teachers”
“Communicating with Children: Manual for Parents”
“I Can Learn” guidebook about Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder
The “I Can Learn” video will be distributed to all participating schools.
WORKSHOP
"METHODS FOR MAKING SCHOOLS MORE CHILD-FRIENDLY"
March 20, 2005
OVERVIEW
On March 20, sixty high-level Ministry of Education administrators from all areas of Kosovo dedicated their Sunday to come to Pristina, Kosovo in order to learn about innovative ways to make the school system more child-friendly and relevant to the needs of students in the present and as future workers and leaders of Kosovo. Participants included the Deputy Minister of Education, all seven regional directors of education, and heads of curriculum, professional education, inspectors, and special education as well as university professors who have already integrated Bonnie Miller’s materials into their teaching. Similar topics as the Saturday workshop were presented, with emphasis on curriculum, school climate, supporting all students including those with special needs, parent participation in the school, and integrating the school into the community.
BRAINSTORMING EXERCISE
The last session of the full-day workshop was a small group brainstorming exercise in which participants from each sector presented their specific suggestions for the practical implementation of the philosophies, techniques, and material from this seminar. All of these proposals will be sent to participants for future action. The five regional directors in areas where her teacher seminars have not yet been presented requested that Bonnie Miller conduct similar programs in their regions.
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS
Many of the administrators brought flash memory sticks to copy the power point presentation for their schools. In addition, each participant was given a packet which included Bonnie Miller’s materials:
“Connecting with Children in the Classroom: Manual for Teachers”
“Communicating with Children: Manual for Parents”
“I Can Learn” guidebook about Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder
The “I Can Learn” video will be distributed to all participants
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Updated: 3/23/2005