Some time ago DBE3 visited some MTs to observe the the results of its training in those schools. The schools visited were MTs. Muhammadiyah Wonosari, MTs. Muhamaddiyah Sodo, and MTs. YAPPI Mulusan.

These three schools had sent their Mathematics, Bahasa Indonesia and English teachers to DBE3 training and the teachers that had participated in the training were ready to develop better styles of teaching.

Pak Ponco, a Mathematics teacher at MTs. Muhammadiyah Wonosari, had started sitting his grade 7B students in learning groups and given them assignments to discuss in these groups. “At first it was difficult but, if we don’t make a start, whenever will we change?,” commented pak Ponco about the changes in his teaching.

MTs. YAPPI Mulusan : A board for displaying students’ work.

Pak Sudjadi enthusiastically using innovative teaching methods.

Similar interesting changes also happened at MTs. Muhamaddiyah Sodo. In one English class, a teacher was asking students to make sentences using word and picture cards. The students enjoyed doing this.

At MTs YAPPI Mulusan the teachers were also keen to implement changes. In the classrooms students sit in small groups, make presentations and there are displays of students’ work. Although the display boards are simple, this has not blunted the enthusiasm of the students and the efforts of the teachers to make the learning more meaningful.

No Just Copying Teachers’, Notes at SMPN 8 Batang

DBE3 programs have been replicated at SMP8 Batang, and a positive impact is already visible.

Clap…clap...clap, grade 8 students at SMP 8 Batang applaud their classmate after he has presented his group’s work to the class. In another classroom, students were busy reading the work of other groups of students. They asked questions and gave feedback to their classmates during this activity.

Student-centred learning is not totally new at SMPN 8 Batang. The principal and the teachers at SMPN 8 Batang are highly committed to make positive changes in their school. They want to make SMPN 8 one of the top schools in the district.

Since taking part in DBE3 life skills foundation module training in June 2009, the learning environment in the classrooms has changed. “To teach at this school teachers must be creative. We don’t just copy down the teacher notes any more,” said Yuli Setyaningsih, the Deputy School Principal responsible for the curriculum.