Episode #33 Guests:
- Baman Kumar Ghimire, Motherland Secondary School, Pokhara, Nepal
- Bishwa Raj Gautam, Program Specialist, Regional English Language Office (RELO), U.S. Embassy, Nepal
- Plus several Nepali students
Episode #33 takes place in a region of the world we have not yet visited in Silver Lining for Learning (SLL); namely, Nepal. We have heard about the gigantic mountains at the rooftops of the world and the April 2015 7.8 magnitude earthquake the struck Nepal and left nearly 9,000 dead while toppling multi-story buildings in the capital of Katmandu and also causing numerous landslides and avalanches in the mountains. However, it is likely few SLL listeners know much about the educational system. Even fewer likely realize innovative attempts in Nepal to take advantage of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and open education. But can they be replicated in other parts of the world? And should they be? More details below the video…
As such, this particular episode will offer an intriguing look at how MOOCs are being used by high school teachers to spark learner interests and increase the level of educational engagement of young Nepali students. It will be the first episode with both teachers and students. Now that should bring some balance to the show and enhanced authenticity for what is said. As Baman Kumar Ghimire and Bishwa Raj Gautam will describe, lively, interactive pedagogical practices played a key role in their MOOC initiative which effectively demonstrated how MOOCs can broaden and brighten the current and future educational possibilities of those in countries with limited or inadequate resources such as Nepal and other regions in the Global South.
In particular, the Nepali teenagers are taking English courses to prepare for college. We will hear from one Nepali girl who has learned vast new skills from 40 MOOCs and various YouTube videos while one Nepali boy who has taken over 70 MOOCs. Both will be our special guests this week. One, two, or three other young learners will join the session. What successes and challenges will they describe? What advice will they have? Do they see MOOCs and open education as transforming education for young people around the globe?
Importantly, the session will explain how MOOCs in one of the least developed countries became a highly successful learning tool. It also attempts to delineate the formula that led to this success. By attending this episode about educational innovation in Nepal, teachers, instructional developers, and other professionals may obtain insights into designing successful online and open education courses through effective involvement of committed educators and advocates. Come to this informative and exciting session. You will not be disappointed.
Baman Kumar Ghimire is a High School English language teacher from Nepal. He is a recipient of Endeavour Executive Fellowship-2014 from Australian Government and Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program-2014 Award by the Department of State. Mr. Ghimire completed an M.A. in English literature from Tribhuvan University, TESOL Core Certificate from TESOL International Association, and over two dozen of MOOCs. He was awarded with an Alumni Grant-2015 by IREX, Federal Assistance Award-2016 and the International Volunteer Leadership Program (IVLP)-2017 Award by the Department of State to encourage his efforts in mentoring MOOCs to high school students and teachers in Nepal. He has penned some articles, run a number of workshops, and made presentations in national and international conferences on educational technology.
Bishwa Raj Gautam manages English language programs at the U.S Embassy in Nepal and provides teacher training on materials production, and open learning. Mr. Gautam gave plenary addresses at international conferences of Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA) on Technology and Connectivism: ELTian’s Future in 2018 and TESOL’s Six Principles for Learning Centered Teaching in 2019. He has authored two books, Open Library and a workbook, Professional Spoken English: Take it Easy! He completed a master’s of Philosophy in English Literature, master’s in English Education, and Library and Information Sciences from the Tribhuvan University, TESOL Core Certificate from TESOL International Association and E-Teacher from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).