Neuro-Psychology of Learning for Madrassah Teachers
18th and 19th October 2014, Mombasa, Kenya
The Teacher Development Program
The Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE) in collaboration with the Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTab) organized a Teacher’s Development Program: Neuro-Psychology of Learning for 16 teachers from Madrassahs across 3 regions of East Africa, namely: Arusha, Mombasa and Nairobi.
The event was facilitated by two of the MCE Neuro – Psychology of Learning Facilitators, Sis Shama Dewji and Sis Sukaina Jafferali.
Objectives of the Program – Neuropsychology of Learning:
At the end of the program, participants to have:
* experienced a comprehensive self-assessment covering key psychological frameworks involved in learning.
* reviewed in detail the learning needs, energies and thinking approaches for different students.
* identified the inherent strengths and challenges they might face as teachers based on their needs, energy and thinking approach.
* learned how to adapt their style to teach more effectively.
* established an action plan to apply these skills and techniques in everyday situations.
“The course was hands-on and engaging”
“The sessions were well organized, started and finished in time, and provided most participants with thinking points (and raised the importance of self-awareness.)”
“What I liked the most was, the way the lesson flow was conducted, the enthusiasm and knowledge of the facilitators.”
“To understand the temperaments and interaction styles were what I liked the most.”
“The most interesting part, was teaching to engage and motivate.”
Benefits of application of Neuropsychological approaches in Academic learning:
- It supports students to improve their learning and attain higher retention levels.
- It facilitates effective learning activities that enable higher engagement and involvement in the learning experience.
- It builds a two-way learning relationship between the teacher and the student that ensures student development is at the level of the student taking into account different stages of the child’s development.
- It enables the teachers to ensure the right processes are used for the different types of content being learnt in the madrasah and ensure it is child specific.
- It helps the teacher to avoid “labeling” learners by showing greater understanding of the child’s personality in the learning process. It gives the teacher the ability to make use of different talents.
The program was a 2-day facilitative workshop from 8 am and ending at around 6 pm, it was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Jaffery Academy, Mombasa.
Sis Shama Dewji:
“Very well explained.”
“Absolutely amazing, well read, always helpful and polite.”
“Very motivating and encouraging. Keep up the good work”
“She has good communication skills and is approachable”
Sis Sukaina Jafferali:
“Excellent! I felt the bond that she created with the participants.”
“Very clear and precise in explaining the interaction style. Well done keep it up”
“She did amazing activities and constantly questioned us about our understanding.”
“Nothing but excellence! Loved the presentation & methodology.”
On behalf of Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTab) Chairman, Sayed Hassan Naqvi and Board members, we extend our appreciation to Africa Federation for supporting the program and to the Mombasa Jamaat for hosting the event.
We also wish to thank the Conveners Sis Neelam Jiwa and Br Hasnain Karim for taking care of all the logistics in Mombasa. We extend our appreciation to Raziya Bai Merali and Mohsin Bhai Khaki for their invaluable assistance, and also to the Madrasah Teachers for attending and contributing positively during the session.
We are grateful to the two Facilitators, Sis Shama Dewji and Sis Sukaina Jafferali for their great efforts and services.
AFTab Secretariat.