ISTEP Tanzania – It was my first time having a long travel on connecting flights compared to the previous one that was from Dar es Salaam to Heathrow Airport in 2011. I had a lot of questions regardless having the directives from my host because I didn’t know how connecting flights works, whether I need to stay on the same plane assuming  it is the same plane or otherwise. Mind that I had to change three different flights from Dar to Zurich, Toronto to Halifax.

The procedures to check boarding pass, flight number so as to compare with the one shown on the screen plus the gate numbers. Oooh! It was a wonderful experience I hadn’t experienced before. How it is expensive or cheaper to exchange money in local bureau de change, the one in the airport or one in the local one to where I come from, it was really challenging.

Our journey started on 5th July 2017 and arrived in Canada from Dar via Zurich and Toronto on 6th July 2017.

PART TWO – FOOD AND ACCOMODATION

We enjoyed our presence in 3* Hotel, Cambridge suites located in Downtown Halifax across from Citadel Hill. It is the comfortable place. We didn’t recognize the big difference as we expected especially on weather differences, although it was different on food stuffs and drinks. We didn’t find it be a big deal because we expected such cultural and traditional diversity, it was great to have a taste of Canadian food served by hoteliers with excellent hospitality.

PART THREE – CCEDP COURSE- FACILITATING ADULT LEARNERS

It was two hour drive from Halifax that took us to one of the NSCC Campus in Nova Scotia (TRURO Campus) attending teacher trainee course on how to facilitate adult learning. The course focused on upgrading skills related to Classroom management as well as preparation of lesson plan.

Our trainer Mr. Dave Frackleton arranged the program effectively and applied different styles of teaching and learning to make the students interactive and participatory. Skills such as lecturing approach, group works, individual presentations (micro-teaching sessions), written individual assignments etc.

The lesson basics taught is sometimes referred to by an acronym “BOPPS” and focused much on the following components;

1.   B-Bridge in. This is motivational part of the lesson that prepares learners to focus on what is about to happen in the lesson. How to gain learners attention and explain why the lesson is important. It is short, and has to show the connectivity.

2.   O-Objective. This part focuses on the objectives to be reached after the lesson to learners as group and an individual learner. That a learner has to know, think, value or do, under what condition and how well.

3.   P-Pre assessment. The focus here is to know what a learner already knows about the subject of the lesson. This is where a teacher can understand learner interest, adjust the depth to fit a particular group as well as understand strengths and weaknesses of the learners.

4.   P-Participatory Learning. The focus is to involve learners actively in the learning in a way possible. A teacher can apply group discussion, give written or questions to discuss, individual presentation, learners self-evaluation etc.

5.   P-Post assessment. A teacher has to asses if a learner has indeed learned and if there is a direct link with the objectives set. There are different ways to be applied such as asking short questions, short written answers, true or false questions, matching items, problem solving tasks etc.

6.   S-Summary/Closure.  This involves content review, reflection of the subject, asking for feedback etc.

The most interesting part became the Micro teaching sessions that involve teaching using BOPPP basics as well as using different technology such as using Smart board, Kahoot game technology in the class.

The way of receiving feedback through peers in written and spoken way was excellent to improve the teaching and learning process. I became more confident when I was delivering Swahili session and learners became motivated, I revealed that was because of the steps that I had to follow. I have increase my skill teaching mult- cultural class and being understood within a short time, learners became interested because I had explained the objectives and make them interactive.

The supervisor of Micro teaching, Ms. Connie Fisher, was really cooperative by giving constructive feedback. To me this is an experiential teaching and learning I ever had.

The weather was conducive to support the training for all five (5) days at TRURO Campus. I have managed to expand my social network, folks that we can exchange ideas, also to assess the applicability and evaluate ourselves on the training we have attended.

PART FOUR – CULTURAL AND TOURISM STUDY VISITS

Being the Vocational teacher teaching hospitality and tourism learners, I hope it is important understand different attractions in the country and what role it plays in the country, that being the case am responsible to ensure sustainable economic, social and cultural development combined with preservation.

The tour had a lot to learn particularly Canada History in relation to Colonialism, early people in Canada, the first fishers in Nova Scotia, and the water falls. The history of Black African and the role Africa played in today’s America, Black Nova Scotia history etc.

The visit involves the following areas;

1.    Victoria Park

2.    Halifax citadel historical site & the Commons

3.    Black loyalty heritage Centre

4.    Lunenburg fishers Museum

5.    Peggy’s cove

6.    NSCC Water Front Campus

7.    NSCC Akerney Campus

8.    Alderney Gate Library in Dartmouth

PART FIVE – WORKSHOP ATTENDED

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & MANAGING RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE PRACTICE

The focus is to create an environment that is comfortable and welcoming to everyone in an institution and the external communities. The program also intend to disseminate knowledge on what a respectful work place is and being able to value all the employees equal in respected of his or her work, show the importance of polite communication and being considerate.

Also to understand people are treated as they wish to be treated how to deal with conflicts in a positive and respective way. The disrespectful behaviors and harassment are addressed.

Respectful workplace can be built through the following ways;

             i.        Training-workers and management

           ii.        Orientation to new employees, tell their rights, responsibilities and obligations

          iii.        Policies and procedures encourage respect

          iv.        Involvement of employees in formulating policies

            v.        Disclose the policies to employees in a possible way.

          vi.        Encourage responsibility to both managers and employees

         vii.        Having clear report relationship

       viii.        Fairly handling of complaints, disrespectful and harassment.

          ix.        Involve respectful behavior in performance review.

STRENGTHS WORKSHOP

The uniqueness of people is discovered through the ongoing exploration of talents. So it is important to know the unique behaviors of strength that exist within yourself and others.  

The workshop intended teach how to explore the weaknesses and strength that somebody has and being able to go, act through or upon them.

Everyone need to be recognized, to be heard, to stand out, to be known and appreciated, to be admired and credited, you need to know yourself.  

Therefore I believe if someone commits him/herself in exploring what strength/weakness revolves around, that is where we create good leaders who can influence formulation of good policies in the institution and country at large.

At NSCC IT Campus taking food after the Workshop, Inclusion, Diversity and Managing Respectful Workplace

TANZA-NOVASCOTIA BARBERCQUE

It was pleasure to meet with NSCC faculty who had been to Tanzania before towards implementing ISTEP project. We enjoyed Canadian barbecue (burger, Hot Dog, Chicken, Vegetarian etc.

The great hospitality of Canadian made us to feel happy and free. We enjoyed beverages, beers and Canadian Music that is likely the same of what we often listen at home Tanzania such as country, classical, American Hip-hop and R & B.

I learnt on how to row canoe, it was the first time to do it, and Canadians friends were supportive to teach me. It was like 700m long and was the excellent practice and I hope am a good canoeist now.

Joseph Mmari

English Language Tutor

Mikumi Vocational Training Centre