Presented at the Comparative and International Education Society Conference Baltimore, Maryland Most teachers base their teaching behavior on the teachers they had when they were in school. Unfortunately, these are not always the best examples of effective teaching. This approach also retards the implementation of new and innovative teaching methods. In developing countries modeling best teaching practices to in-service teachers can be especially challenging. As Part of the Malawi Teacher Training Activities (MTTA) project, funded by USAID, Seward produced three best practices in teaching interactive DVDs for use in in-service teacher training. The model teacher presented on the DVDs spans three content areas – math, science and English – and two grade levels – standards 3 and 6. Each disc presents video of an entire model lesson (although it can also be viewed in sections) and an interview with the teacher. The lesson demonstrates new teaching techniques and the interview provides an opportunity of in-service teacher to hear the reasoning behind the lesson’s design. The math and science discs contain lesson and interviews in both Chichewa and English. This presentation will discuss the production process, including timeline, budget and development tools. If the technology is available, a brief demonstration of the DVDs will be included.

1. Best Practices:
DVDs for Malawi
Teacher Development
Gregory C. Sales, Ph.D.
Minneapolis, MN USA
Comparative & International Education Society
Baltimore, MD
February 26, 2007

2. DVD Strengths
• Players are inexpensive, costing
less than $100 each
• Discs can also be accessed on
computers with DVD drives
$69.99 USD
$79.99 USD

3. DVD Strengths
• Easy to use
• Provide consistent
modeling of
teaching practices
• Inexpensive replication
• Content can be viewed or reviewed by
individuals or groups
• Light, easy to disseminate, and durable

4. MTTAs Best Practices DVDs
• Three subject specific
DVDs – Math, Science
and English
• Each with 2 model
lessons, grades 3 and 6
• Chichewa language used
for grade 3 lessons in
Math and Science
• English for all other
lessons

5. Design
• Three discs
• Menu driven
– Intro scenario
– Lesson
– Reflection
• Manual to guide
use

6. Production Issues
• Unscripted and
unpredictable shoots
• Lighting and sound
• Angles and
backgrounds
• Language, content, and clarity of message
• Post production replication and
dissemination of the materials

7. Playback Equipment
• Usable, compatible,
portable, securable,
and reliable
• 240v power supply
• Work with selected projectors
• Player - small, lightweight, self-contained,
battery power option
• Region free

8. Process Questions?

9. Product Demo