One Media Player per Teacher (OMPT) offers training and capacity building services tailored to the needs of our clients and stakeholders. For Interactive radio Instruction (IRI) using Portable Media Players (PMP) programs to be successful, teachers, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) technicians, and other educational leaders must learn about the technology and how to use it pedagogically. We can customize our training programs in response to the specific conditions of each project we work with. However, for a IRI/PMP program to be successful, we consider that local implementers must build capacity in three areas: IRI/PMP program management, technical training for teacher support, and teacher training.
1. IRI/PMP Program Design and Management
An IRI/PMP program will only be successful if it is designed with sustainability and local adoption in mind from the beginning. We understand that a new technology must be introduced as part of a holistic package of educational reform, which begins with effective program design. Depending on the needs for a given project, we can provide training and technical assistance in the following key areas:
- Workshops for education leaders that introduce the IRI/PMP model
- Pilot project design and evaluation
- Program design and planning (scaling up of pilot programs)
- Situational analysis: analyzing class size, user proficiency quotient, and other data required for effective program design
- Media production: converting text lessons to audio and/or video
- Program implementation: equipment, media, and replication
2. ICT Technician Training for Teacher Support
For those of us that use information and communications technologies as part of our everyday workflow, it is easy to underestimate the amount of support teachers need to use PMPs for education. We promote train the trainer strategies that build local capacity to provide ongoing training and support for local teachers. Our services can include:
- Writing instruction manuals adapted to the local population: including only key instructions, simpler vocabulary, and localized language.
- Training in file management, lesson organization, audio format transfer, mass replication, and other technical skills.
- Training in teacher-training and teacher-support methodologies.
- Training in facilitator follow up visit procedures: effective monitoring visits
3. Teacher Training
Whether we train teachers directly or work through local teacher trainers, the educational benefit of PMPs hinges on how well teachers gain a pedagogic understanding of the IRI/PMP model and the practical skills to effectively use their new equipment. We develop and provide training in these key areas:
- Pedagogical background: the merits of audio lessons taught with PMPs.
- Care and use of their new equipment: media, players, and charging.
- Hands-on practice: Sample lessons and other group practice activities for teachers to gain necessary skills and confidence.