uBoraBora Portfolio: Improved learning outcomes through targeted tweaks
When it comes to improving teaching and learning, the magic is often in the tweaks.
The teams in the uBoraBora portfolio are all doing effective education work, based on strong evidence. For foundational learning this means that our programmes are implementing Structured Pedagogy(SP) and Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL). As a sector, significant investments have been made into evaluating these approaches and we know they improve learning outcomes when they are well implemented.
Over the past few months, we’ve worked closely with uBoraBora teams to identify the most promising points of adjustment in these implementation models—and figure out how to tweak them for maximum impact.
They have made tweaks to teacher materials, training and ongoing support where there is headroom for greater impact on learning outcomes. Such small tests to gauge whether or not a tweak results in improvement add up and in aggregate, we believe, can move the dial on foundational learning across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our goal is to document these refinements so they’re useful to others, that’s why we’re categorising them in ways that are familiar and in line with existing theoretical frameworks (more on the frameworks below).
For us, the frameworks themselves are just a start, what matters is that we learn at the right level (pun intended). We’ll avoid talking about broad technical terms (e.g. Structured Pedagogy or TaRL) and zoom all the way into key aspects of those models so look more closely at bits we’re tweaking - and learn at a deeper level.
Where the Tweaks Are Happening
Right now we have tweaks across materials, training and ongoing support across the portfolio.
Materials
Building Tomorrow (TaRL) – Providing five additional copies of a paragraph and story booklet for instructional use combined with accompanying training. The objective is to increase P4 and P5 students' reading proficiency; these additional copies will support teachers and Community Education Volunteers (CEVs) to better meet the needs of P4 & P5 students.
Impact Network (SP) – Adding a visual checklist of core ReadSmart habits to the classroom materials box. The goal is to support teachers in government schools who are new to the program to establish key habits.
Training
Building Tomorrow (TaRL) – Conducting an additional one-day training on using the paragraph booklets described above, the importance of providing reading time and a refresher on differentiation. The goal is to learn how additional training can improve teacher and CEV capacity to support P4 and P5 learners.
Justice Rising (SP) – Introducing an extended training sequence on the “I do-We do-You do” instructional approach. The team noticed that the uptake of key instructional strategies embedded within their Chalkboard Guides was inconsistent and teachers requested extra training so they’ll test to see if this sequence improves uptake.
Coaching / Ongoing Support
Meerkat Learning (TaRL) – Testing two coaching models to support TaRL teachers in remote schools: (A) Two school visits vs. (B) One school visit followed by a group support call. The first A/B test showed strong signs that this model of remote support works as well, which could create significant cost efficiencies for Meerkat as they scale across Namibia.
Impact Network (SP) – Increasing the emphasis on deliberate practice within coaching feedback conversations with additional training and an observation tool to help out coaches. This will support the team as they adapt into 40 additional government schools.
If you’re exploring refinements to your own programme, or or want to follow how these iterations unfold, connect with us and comment in the chat. The idea is that by zooming into specific ‘bits to tweak’ we will open up deeper conversations about what really moves the needle on teaching and learning.
The frameworks bit
To make sense of the ‘bits we’re tweaking’ and make sure that what we learn moves the evidence forward, we’ve taken inspiration from a number of frameworks and implementation research guides, including: Science of Teaching, Structured Pedagogy, TaRL learning agenda, and the ongoing work of What Works Hub, BE2, FLN Hub and UNICEF.
We’ve included some links for further reading about these frameworks below.
Would you like us to write a post specifically about frameworks? Let us know.
