Edwin Rolando Brito Gómez is a sixth-grade teacher at the Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta in the Canton Paxán, San Francisco La Unión, Quetzaltenango. He has been a teacher for 19 years and it is his 2nd year with the TINFA program. In this interview, he shares his experience with the program and how it has impacted his teaching.
How did it go at the beginning of the year 2023?
I started the year with new expectations and with the idea of using technology as much as possible with my class of 6th graders, seeking the support of their parents.
What makes you happiest/satisfied about your students today?
The motivation that each student has to continue studying and the fervent desire to participate and learn new content with a more attractive class setting, thanks to the support of the TINFA Project.
What are the biggest challenges for teachers/students today?
Challenges for the teachers:
-Achieve an academic level above current standard.
-Be at the forefront of technology.
-Get each grades and each section to have their own equipment, so that all teachers can use technology when ever they want.
Challenges for the students:
-Take full advantage of the opportunity they have especially with this new way of learning with the support of technology.
- Build a good academic foundation so that they thrive next year, in middle school.
-Pay full attention and participate fully.
The school is in its 2nd year of the TINFA program. What do you like most about the project?
The project is comprehensive, as it provides equipment, and at the same time we are getting extensive training on the topics of use of equipment, interactive tools that we can use, and how to use this material in our lesson plan. All this has been very good and very important.
There is a big difference in our teaching. Before, we used aging techniques, and we had no technology. Now, we are adopting new tools, some interactive, and at the same time, we are keeping our scope and objectives.
The means that students have an easier learning, and it has increased their interest and motivation. They no longer want to miss classes. They are learning, visualizing, participating, but at the same time they are enjoying what they learn,
What does the teacher need to continue with technology in the classroom afterwards?
First of all, I think there is a lot more that the teachers could learn working with TINFA. Afterwards, it will be critical to continue implementing what we’ve learned and constantly update ourselves on new technologies.
I have a student, Br*. He is new to the school this year. He comes from a private school in a different education center. He said that he is happy and excited that technology is used in his new classroom. It motivates him and he noticed that he learns more easily. It is different from his old school.