Rote Learning

It seems the prevailing teaching method in Uganda is rote learning. Teachers teach from textbooks and students learn definitions for the upcoming test.

While I was teaching the Social Studies topic 'the environment' to the Primary 3 class last week I thought I would open up discussion to define different aspects of 'the environment'.

It was pretty clear that the only definition the students (and their teacher) wanted to discuss was that defined in the textbook: 'the things around us'. While this is true, it seemed a little narrow to me.

I was hoping to break the class into small groups (each with a sheet of butchers paper) and ask the students to work as a team and write down as many different aspects of the environment that they could think of (e.g. the natural environment v the man-made environment). I think I'll try this strategy next time I'm asked to teach - and I'll appoint a scribe, a reporter and someone to collect the required materials (pen and paper). I think the students will really enjoy the strategy, as will the teachers.

I'll let you know how it all pans out!