Training of teachers
Teacher training is important for quality implementation and fidelity to the program. Creating positive social influence among the pupils relies heavily on how the teacher implements the program.
In the training workshop, the teachers:
- get basic knowledge on effective alcohol- and drug prevention
- discuss implementation issues
- learn to create safe environments for experimenting and reflecting
- learn to work on positive group dynamics to include all pupils
- exercise the program activities
In 3 days, teachers grow from observers and participants to facilitators of activities.
Participants
A teacher training workshop ideally has 24 participating teachers. A group of up to 32 participants is still possible.
- The participants should be men and women teaching regular subjects, so not all teachers in religion for example. A mix of “scientific subjects” like math or science with “soft subjects” like language or sports is also interesting for the training group.
- It is recommended to have several teachers together from a same school team. The best composition of a 24 person trainers’ group is: 6 groups of 4 teachers, so six schools.
- Preliminary knowledge or expertise in drugs or prevention issues is not necessary. Also, an aspect like “a teacher that smokes cigarettes” is not an exclusion criteria.
- Even if the school does not have a ready-made schedule where the 12 Unplugged lessons will be delivered, the teachers should be confident that the school lead – the school principal – is supportive of the implementation of Unplugged in the classes of the teachers within first months after being trained.
- For the first training workshops it is recommended to invite teachers who understand and speak English, for the international trainers to work efficiently without interpreters. However, there are certified master trainers from several countries worldwide. Contact us if you want to know which languages our master trainers speak.
- Teachers should be clearly informed of the scope of the Unplugged program and training and receive information well in time (like 2 weeks before) to avoid an uneasy or nervous group dynamic at the start of the training. The minimal information is that they attend a training for the implementation of an evidence-based drug prevention program in their class room.
- The teachers should receive during or short after the training a set of textbooks and quiz cards for the pupils for use in implementing the Unplugged lessons not only 1 time, but during several years.
After completion of the teacher training workshop, teachers should be rewarded. Different options can be considered from a certificate of attendance to accreditation inside the national system for lifelong learning of teachers. Note that teachers should be further incentivized to implement the program with the pupils.
Training room set up
For the training a room with the dimensions of a big classroom is needed. The chairs need to be able to form a circle, with no tables or desks. Place a table in every corner for subgroup work. This is the same set up as is expected of the teacher to use in his classroom.
For the teacher trainings, 2 flip chart stands with plenty of papers and markers are necessary. Finally, a beamer to project a presentation on the first training day only is needed.
Set up of teacher training workshop room with chairs in a circle, 2 flip charts stands, a beamer for the presentation and tables in the corners for subgroup work.
Training room set up
For the training a room with the dimensions of a big classroom is needed. The chairs need to be able to form a circle, with no tables or desks. Place a table in every corner for subgroup work. This is the same set up as is expected of the teacher to use in his classroom.
For the teacher trainings, 2 flip chart stands with plenty of papers and markers are necessary. Finally, a beamer to project a presentation on the first training day only is needed.
Set up of teacher training workshop room with chairs in a circle, 2 flip charts stands, a beamer for the presentation and tables in the corners for subgroup work.
Monitoring of training quality
Training quality is monitored. At the end of the training, teachers complete anonymous questionnaires. They indicate how they felt about the training workshop and how they think about implementing this program in the classroom. The forms can be paper-pencil or online. Results are included in a workshop report.
Monitoring of training quality
Training quality is monitored. At the end of the training, teachers complete anonymous questionnaires. They indicate how they felt about the training workshop and how they think about implementing this program in the classroom. The forms can be paper-pencil or online. Results are included in a workshop report.
