Teachers writing workshop Thrissur 2024
Workshop Dates
April 29 and 30, 2024
Objective of the workshop
The District Centre for English (DCE), Thrissur is organizing a workshop with the aim of enabling Government and aided primary and secondary school teachers to enrich their seminar presentations into academic papers for publishing, thereby strengthening their academic writing skills.
Introduction
District Centres of English (DCEs) were established in Kerala in 1989 under the Department of General Education to provide specialized training for English language teachers in government and aided schools. DCEs function under the administrative oversight of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), offering specialized training for English educators at the primary and secondary levels. Since their inception, DCEs have been conducting structured training programmes, seminars, workshops, and other empowerment initiatives for English Language Teachers across districts, thus providing opportunities for teachers to grow professionally by focusing on innovative techniques, methods, and approaches to teaching English.
The DCE organized a seminar for primary and secondary teachers from government and aided schools in February 2024, where 15 teachers presented papers on classroom innovations in English Language Teaching (ELT). While some teachers had presented papers, others had prepared notes on their work, which they presented in the seminar.
Writing Workshop Methodology
DCE is proposing to conduct an ‘academic writing workshop’ for these 15 teachers. The aim of the workshop is to support these teachers to strengthen their capacities for academic writing, and to publish their work as academic outputs. This would have two benefits – firstly , their articles could benefit the wider community of teachers in Thrissur district, and even across Kerala (and elsewhere). Secondly, it would be a professional development exercise for these 15 teachers to progress as writers, who can publish their action research. It would also be a ‘first’ for the DCE, to work on ‘writing’ skills of teachers in a structured manner.
The DCE along with identified resource persons plans to conduct a two-day workshop towards these objectives. On the first day, the teachers would be introduced to the craft of writing, time-tested ways of converting ideas into written text, engaging in analytical, creative and critical thinking, taking and giving peer feedback and academic reading, which is a prerequisite for academic writing. The teachers would be encouraged to find and read other academic papers and articles related to their topic.
The second day would start with initiating the teachers into academic writing with a free writing activity, which would be followed by the preparation of the first draft of their academic papers. The sessions are designed in such a way that the teachers regularly receive supportive feedback from the resource persons and their own peers. By the end of the second day, the teachers would have written the first drafts of their articles and would have gone through one stage of revision. The second day would conclude with the discussion of how writing is an essential part of self-learning and professional development. The teachers are expected to continue working on their papers and share revised versions with the resource persons in a week’s time and receive detailed feedback and hand holding, to enable them to complete their papers. DCE intends to e-publish finalized papers as a ‘Teachers academic journal’.
Tentative workshop session plan - April 2024
| Session No | Time | Agenda | Resources for the session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | |||
| Session 1 | 10 to 10:30 AM | Introduction to the program/workshop | |
| Session 2 | 10:30 to 11:15 AM | Interactive session on writing: Writing as Carpentry
Overview of 'digital tools' and their use in writing |
Concept map 'Digital Tools for supporting writing' |
| Tea Break | 11:15 to 11:30 AM | ||
| Session 3 | 11:30 to 1 PM | Initiating and organising writing: Using digital mind maps | User manual on the Digital Mindmap tool - Freeplane |
| Lunch | 1 to 2 PM | ||
| Session 4 | 2 to 3:30 PM | Creation of digital concept maps by teachers (on the papers they presented) | |
| Tea Break | 3:30 to 3:45 PM | ||
| Session 5 | 3:45 to 4:45 PM | Initial presentation + Peer feedback in plenary, and discussion | |
| Session 6 | 4:45 to 5:00 PM | Interactive session: ‘Reading for Writing’ and Accessing academic articles (assigning article for reading) | |
| Day 2 | |||
| Session 1 | 10:00 to 11:30 AM | “Free writing” | |
| Tea Break | 11:30 to 11:45 AM | ||
| Session 2 | 11:45 to 1:00 PM | Academic writing: Writing the first draft of the paper (in small groups with peer and resource person support) | |
| Lunch | 1:00 to 2:00 PM | ||
| Session 3 | 2:00 to 3:30 PM | Peer Feedback and discussion in small groups | |
| Tea Break | 3:30 to 3:45 PM | ||
| Session 5 | 3:45 to 4:45 | Final revisions in the draft | |
| Session 6 | 4:45 to 5:00 PM | Possible Way forward; journaling for continued learning |
Resources for the workshop
- Writing as Carpentry (podcast)
- Using digital technologies to support writing
- Mind mapping as a method to support writing
- Learning Freeplane, a digital tool for developing concept maps - User manual
- Free Writing - what and how
Paper Presenters and Facilitators
| Name of the teacher | Paper Title | Reference resources for writing | ITfC Facilitator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Anila R, UPST, GUPS Paralikkad | Enhancing English Grammar Conceptualization and Retention through Integrated Acting and Dance Techniques | JK | |
| Ms. Anitha Hassan, LPST, GLPS Ottupara | 100 days 100 reading cards - An Effective Strategy for Improving Reading Skill of Children | MI | |
| Ms..Arathy K R, LPST, GHSS Villadam | Importance of evolving texts parallel to textbooks | MI | |
| Ms. Aswathi Mohanan, UPST, NSUPS West Koratty | Puppetry in English Classroom | JK | |
| Ms. Bindu K, LPST, RSLPS Engakkad | Discourse becomes easy | MI | |
| Elizabeth Poulose, UPST, St. Pius Xth UPS Wadakkanchery | Theatrical Pedagogy: Fostering Learning through Acting in the English Classroom | JK | |
| Ms. Kulirma Beevi, LPST, SPKCMMGUPS Madayikonam | Enhancing Primary Level Learners' Writing Skills through Picture Description: A Comprehensive Pedagogical Approach | MI | |
| Ms.Meenu Krishnan, UPST, NHSS Irinjalakuda | Fun Learning through Word Games -An Effective Tool for Improving Vocabulary | MI | |
| Ms. Meenu Vincent, HST, St.Sebastian's HS Chittattukara | Fostering the need for Global Connectivity by ingraining the Relevance of Spoken English in High School learners | JK | |
| Ms. Remya Gopal, HST, NHSS Irinjalakuda | Unlocking World: Transformative Power and Endless Adventures Found in Reading! | GK | |
| Ms. Sajitha Joseph, IIST, OLFGIIS Mathilakam | Percipience Procedure: Fostering Comprehensive Learning through Active Engagement | NA | GK |
| Ms. Sandhya PU, HST, GNBHS Kodakara | Exploring the efficacy of mediation techniques in enhancing English as a Second Language classroom dynamics: A Research study | GK | |
| Ms. Sherine K R,HST, St. Joseph's HSS Mathilakam | Mindfulness in English Language Learning | GK | |
| Mr. Shibu E P, UPST, GWLPS Ponnore | E-LIFE (English Learning Interestingly Fluently and Effectively) - A Programme for Developing communication skills and confidence LP and UP students | JK | |
| Ms. Sumitha N S, LPST, SNLPS Irinjalakuda | Enhancing English Speaking Skills through Confidence Building in Children | Encouraging your child to speak English
Teaching speaking skills in English through student centered activities |
GK |