Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

All this week I’m working in Bulgaria with a group of local headteachers on their own version of the Self Review Framework. Yesterday we spent the day looking at how ICT can be used to bring about school improvement and how different schools in the UK have used the Becta Self Review Framework to set their own goals and targets. The workshop is taking place in their new National Leadership Institute, the equivalent of the UK’s National College of School Leadership (but perhaps not so grand), in Bankya, just outside Sofia. My work with them is funded by the British Council in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian experience is very interesting and there are many challenges, beginning with equipment and resources. However, since Bulgaria came into the EU in January 2007, much progress has been made, and there is a commitment by all concerned to bring about change. There is a small ‘laptops for teachers’ scheme involving 50 schools for example, and most schools have reasonable broadband access and at least one interactive whiteboard.

There has been a lot of discussion on the notion of what is ‘optional’ and what is ‘compulsory’, and the headteachers are intrigued at the subtle ways in which schools in the UK are encouraged to deliver Government policy by a series of sticks and carrots, whereas perhaps in Bulgaria things are more straightforward.

This week’s workshops will be followed by a study trip to the UK where they will visit schools, some of which are using the SRF, and some not, and a launch conference for their new tool next February / March.

Tags: SelfReview Framework, Bulgarian education, ICT