Teachers 'catch the signal' to bring lessons to Pung Luong students

Students' enthusiasm for learning motivates teachers

Half a year ago, the Khan Academy Vietnam (KAV) team had the opportunity to work with several schools in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai (which is now part of Lao Cai), to support the use of the Khan Academy platform for teaching and learning management. During the training session, many teachers sat under makeshift shelters, sharing computers to complete tasks, and even had to “catch the signal” to access the platform and participate in Zoom training sessions...

In today's interview, the teachers at Pung Luong Ethnic Semi-boarding Primary School also had to constantly change seats and switch between devices to ensure they could share their stories in full with the KAV team.

Most of the students at Pung Luong Ethnic Semi-boarding Primary School are from ethnic minority groups, while a small number are Kinh. Therefore, providing them with opportunities to study online on the Khan Academy platform has been a sustained effort by both teachers and students to overcome a range of challenges.

Teachers and students have to go outdoors to “catch the signal” and study.

While studying, the “network” often drops, computers “freeze,” or the time limit for computer use expires, as each class has a maximum of 15 minutes. These are typical difficulties faced by teachers and students at Pung Luong when studying on the platform.

Ms. Hue, a teacher of class 3A2, shared: “Since 100% of the students in the class are from ethnic minorities, they don't have devices like phones or laptops for self-study. Weekly, they have about 15 minutes to use the school's shared computers. With only 20 computers in the entire school, we have to schedule time slots and weeks to ensure every class gets to study. On smooth days, the students can access the platform and do their assignments, but on days with weak internet, they have to leave the computers before even starting their lessons to make way for another class. Watching them pout because they haven't had a chance to study is heartbreaking, but there's no other way; we have to schedule another session.”

Like students in Ms. Hue's class, those in Ms. Nga's class 1A3 eagerly await their math lessons on the platform. They are fascinated by video lessons featuring jumping dolphins, colourful numbers, and interesting calculations, which have become a “speciality” that every student looks forward to watching and reading. However, not all students have computers or phones for learning. Therefore, Ms. Nga often uses her lunch breaks to guide the students through her phone or laptop. In the evenings, the young students come to her house to study. She shared: “Seeing the students gather around me, eagerly watching video lessons and answering questions, gives me more motivation to overcome all difficulties.”

During lunch breaks, Ms. Minh Hue guides students in online learning.

For Ms. Tham, the teacher in charge of grade 4, the motivation comes from the parents. When assigning homework for students to self-study at home, she frequently receives calls from parents about how to access the platform, do assignments, and watch lessons. Lunchtime breaks and dinner times are often “interrupted” by parents' inquiries, but this has become a source of joy and fortune for her.

Challenges do not mean giving up

Sharing with us, Mr. Tien, the overall in-charge at the school, said: “Initially, when approaching the Khan Academy platform, teachers found it very challenging. However, to allow students to access creative and enjoyable Math and English programs, teachers have made efforts to train and use the platform proficiently to guide students. To be honest, many video lessons for grades 3 and 4 Math required teachers to 'meet' together, watch repeatedly to understand thoroughly, and then teach the students.”

Ms. Long, a teacher of class 3A3, noticed that learning on the platform creates excitement for the students. Therefore, she often organises learning competitions in class to motivate the students to study diligently. Every time it's their “turn” to study, the students are eager, which helps teachers somewhat “relieve” the initial difficulties.

Ms. Kieu Thi Huong, the Vice Principal of the school, stated: “Recognizing that the platform can support the school in managing and teaching students visually, and enhancing the capacity to apply technology in teaching, contributing to the digital transformation of education at Pung Luong Primary School in particular and Mu Cang Chai in general, we will strive to overcome difficulties to complete the digital transformation mission and provide students with the best learning experience. We hope that Pung Luong students will develop their learning abilities to confidently compete in Math and win many district and provincial awards.”

Students are very eager for each lesson.

Although the facilities at Pung Luong Ethnic Semi-boarding Primary School are not yet stable, and equipment is still limited, the teaching staff is determined to overcome all difficulties, making the most of every lunch break, every evening, and every moment to ensure the best learning for the students. No matter how challenging, solutions will be found; challenges do not mean giving up...

Perhaps due to such high determination, from the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, teachers and students at Pung Luong Ethnic Semi-boarding Primary School have achieved very good “learning metrics” on the platform. Currently, more than half of the students at the school have regularly accessed and studied on the Khan Academy platform weekly. Although the road ahead is long and full of challenges, with the teachers' dedication and effort, the barren land will surely bloom in Pung Luong!

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