Child-centred learning strategies that emphasise active involvement, critical thinking, and problem-solving should be prioritised in government primary schools, to enhance teaching practices, student engagement and technology integration in classrooms, researchers have recommended in a study.
They also recommended adaptation of interactive and practical teaching methods, incorporating authentic materials, hands-on experiences, and visual aids and promoting student collaboration and engagement through collaborative learning spaces and group activities.
The recommendations came through the study, titled “Innovative Teaching and Student Engagement in Bangladesh: Policy Implications,” published in the Department of Human-centred Design of Userhub.
This qualitative case study investigated teaching practices and student engagement in government primary schools in south-western Bangladesh, focusing on classes 1 to 3.
In it, researchers Anik Biswas and Wahid bin Ahsan revealed the limitations of traditional teaching methods and highlighted the efficacy of innovative and participatory approaches in enhancing student engagement.
Key challenges, such as inconsistent electricity supply and inadequate teacher training, impede the effective integration of technology and innovative pedagogy, particularly in rural settings, the study said. It also uncovered socio-economic factors, like limited parental involvement, that further constrain student engagement.
These findings advocate for comprehensive educational reforms encompassing pedagogical innovation, infrastructural development, and community engagement. Policymakers, educators and parents are urged to consider these multi-faceted insights for future educational planning and policy formulation.
The study addressed that both teachers and parents favour more interactive methods and cite the limitations of traditional lecture-based teaching. In their statements, there’s a strong emphasis on the need for integrating technology to bolster educational quality, helping students to retain and apply knowledge more effectively in the real world.
Practical teaching techniques, involving the use of real-world materials and interactive activities, have shown a marked improvement in engaging students.
Echoing the efficacy of participatory teaching methods, a student enthusiastically shared, “I enjoy reading when our teacher teaches with stories and provides real-life examples, such as fish, birds, and other tangible materials.”
Highlighting the challenges of incorporating technology in education, a concerned parent remarked, “My child spends more time watching cartoons and playing games than actually learning from the tablet.” For that, the study underscores the need for a balanced technological approach in education.
It also recommends developing continuous professional development opportunities focusing on innovative instructional methods and technological literacy, and introducing training modules simulating real classroom scenarios, and enabling hands-on practice for tech integration.
The researchers also recommended cultivating a culture of ongoing education to ensure teachers stay current on educational trends and developments.
Waliullah/
