Over 40 students of the Faculty of Primary Education have summarized the results of the program “Volunteering in Education” at the threshold of New Year.
In February 2011, the Faculty signed a memorandum of collaboration with a number of educational institutions and non-governmental organizations in Yerevan and marzes (provinces). The document aims to raise the quality of education through volunteer work, strengthen professional capacities of students and implement certain provisions of the Bologna Declaration.
“Students of the Faculty of Primary Education were given a wonderful opportunity to engage in volunteer activities. The success of the pilot program helped increase the number of educational institutions: our students are gaining experience at the best educational institutions of the republic which are applying alternative pedagogical technologies,” Lusine Poghosyan, Deputy Dean of the Faculty for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, told armspu.am.
She is convinced that the program promotes activity and independence of students learning in the credit system and boosts competitiveness of students in the labour market.
Marietta Sahakyan, a student of the Faculty of Primary Education, has been teaching at school on a voluntary basis for the second consecutive year. She has been teaching Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship and other subjects at School N67 after Yeghishe Charents.
The theoretical knowledge obtained at the Pedagogical University as well as the experience gained at school instilled confidence in her, doubling her love for the profession. Marietta has encountered many difficulties on her way but she has been able to overcome the problems with the help of Methodists and analysts.
“I think that the lessons held in elementary classrooms with thematic materials, games, signs and posters, as well as
illustration of favouite cartoon heroes proved effective. Using a paper apple-tree, I have taught schoolchildren to make different mathematical calculations,” she said.
Svetlana Iskandaryan, Lecturer of the Faculty of Primary Education, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, gives methodological advice to the student volunteers.
She says the program is mutually beneficial as it helps both students and school teachers. “During the practice, students deepen their knowledge; even solve the issue of future work. Our students undergo practical training without completing methodological courses, while the work with Methodists helps fill the gap and assist students in preparing didactic materials as well as achieving good results.”
