ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/31/2006 19 December 2006
Australia-India workshops on teaching methodologies
Continuing with the engagement with Indian teachers, the Australian Education International (AEI) India recently concluded a series of workshops on Australian teaching practices.
The workshops, conducted during November 2006, are a part of the Australian Government's ongoing efforts to providing opportunities for Indian and Australian teachers to learn about the education systems of each other's country in addition to providing a better perspective on history, society and culture.
Over 200 Indian and Australian teachers have benefited from the Australia-India Teachers Exchange Program involving Indian teachers visiting Australia to learn about Australian teaching practices. AEI has been coordinating the visits program for the last eight years.
"The unique feature of the workshops conducted for the first time this year has been that we had Government schools participate, as did others who had not so far taken part in the teachers exchange program," said Professor John Webb, Counsellor, Education & Training, Australian High Commission.
"Teachers who have participated in the exchange program bring back useful teaching techniques and practices for implementing back in their respective institutions, in addition to being resource people to train teachers here in India."
"The workshops gave an opportunity to teachers who have not experienced first-hand teaching practises in Australia to learn about Australian teaching," added Professor Webb.
The workshops were conducted by Indian participants in AITE- 2006. The teachers demonstrated and taught at length the teaching and learning techniques they have learnt during their stay in Australia. Over 250 teachers have participated in this series of November workshops. on selected topics, including "Thinking strategy - Habits of mind", "Creating a thinking and challenging classroom", "Thinking strategy – Six thinking caps", and "Learning through senses".
For additional information, please contact Ms Anu Jain, AEC Manager, on 011 4139 9900.