Topic outline

  • Welcome

  • Introduction to Unit 4

    • Why this Unit?

      Progressive pedagogies emphasize active, student-centered learning approaches that help you create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences. As classrooms continue to evolve, integrating ICT has become essential in supporting collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving among your learners. These approaches align closely with Tanzania’s competence-based curriculum, which encourages interactive and learner-driven instruction. Completing this Unit will strengthen your ability to use ICT tools that enhance progressive teaching methods in your classroom. It will also empower you to design, implement, and evaluate innovative learning activities that improve your learners’ engagement and overall achievement.

      Unit Competencies

      By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

      1. Explain the concept of progressive pedagogies and their relevance in modern classrooms.
      2. Identify ICT tools that support student-centered and collaborative learning.
      3. Integrate ICT to design innovative and engaging learning activities.
      4. Evaluate the effectiveness of ICT-supported pedagogies in improving learner engagement and outcomes.
      5. Explain the challenges and best practices in ICT integration.



      Recommended time: 2 hours

    • To begin your learning journey, navigate to the lessons listed below and click the links in the order shown. Each link for every topic contains lessons, hands-on activities, and supporting resources that will guide you step-by-step through the course.

      Instructions

      1. Open Lesson 1 and follow the lesson links in the order they appear.
      2. Complete the lesson content, attempt the activities, and review the resources attached to that topic.
      3. Submit any required tasks or quizzes for that topic and post questions in the discussion forum if needed.
      4. Only move to the next lesson after you finish the current lesson and its activities.

      Repeat steps 1–4 until you complete all the lessons.

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Progressive Pedagogies

    • Introduction

      This lesson introduces you to the foundations of progressive pedagogical approaches that place learners at the center of the teaching and learning process. Unlike traditional teacher-centered methods, progressive pedagogies emphasize active student participation, meaningful engagement, creativity, and critical thinking. You will explore key learner-centered strategies such as inquiry-based learning, collaborative problem-solving, and constructivist approaches, and understand how these transform classrooms into interactive, dynamic, and inclusive spaces for deeper and long-lasting learning.

      Please click on Resources 1a and 1b below to begin the lesson on progressive pedagogies.

    • Discussion on Progressive Pedagogies

      Use the forum below to engage with your peers by discussing this question: 

      In your opinion, how do progressive pedagogies (like inquiry-based or collaborative learning) differ from traditional teacher-centered approaches? Share examples from your own learning experiences.

      Instructions

      • Carefully read the discussion question and reflect on your understanding of the topic.
      • Post your response with clear reasoning, examples, or references from the topic materials.
      • Respond thoughtfully to at least two peers’ posts, offering feedback, asking questions, or sharing additional insights.
      • Maintain a respectful and professional tone in all your interactions.

    • Quiz on Lesson 1

      After participating in the forum discussion, test your understanding by completing the short quiz below.

      Instructions:

      • Read each question carefully.
      • Answer to the best of your ability based on what you learned in Lesson 1 and the forum discussion.
      • Submit your answers as instructed to receive feedback.

    • Lesson 1 Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Lesson 2: ICT Tools for Progressive Teaching

    • Introduction

      This lesson introduces you to digital tools that promote interactive, collaborative, and engaging learning experiences. The focus is on using tools such as Learning Management Systems (LMSs), interactive apps, collaboration platforms, and digital content creation tools to make teaching more student-centered and effective.

      Content

      1. Learning Management Systems (LMSs): Moodle, Google Classroom – for organizing lessons, assignments, and resources.
      2. Interactive Tools: Kahoot, Padlet, Mentimeter, Quizlet – for engagement and formative assessment.
      3. Collaboration Platforms: Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, Zoom breakout rooms – for group tasks and peer learning.
      4. Digital Content Creation Tools: Canva, Loom, OBS Studio, H5P – for creating engaging instructional materials.
      5. Criteria for Selection: choosing ICT tools based on learner needs, accessibility, and teaching goals.

      Please click the links below to begin the lesson. The links include lessons, resources, and activities such as quizzes and discussion forums to support your learning.

    • Click on Resource 2, read the content and then compare between the two learning management systems.
    • Click on Resource 3, read the content and then compare between the two tools discussed.
    • Click on Resource 4, read the content and then compare between the the tools Canva, Loom, OBS Studio, H5P Page
    • Click on Resource 5, read the content and outline key criteria for selecting ICT tools to be used in your teaching.

    • Assignment on Lesson 2 
      Instructions

      1. Identify a section from your syllabus where an authored resources would help achieve the learning outcomes
      2. Select one ICT tool from one of the categories covered in the pages above.
      3. Create a teaching resource using the tool, e.g. classmates, a PowerPoint presentation, a Quiz etc.
      4. Make sure somewhere you have included a terence to the outcome it is supposed to support
      5. Upload the resources or post a link where it is online using Lesson 2 Assignment submission tool below.
    • Lesson 2 Assignment
      Make a submission

  • Lesson 3: Designing ICT-Supported Progressive Lessons

    • Introduction

      This lesson provides participants with practical skills to design and deliver lessons that integrate ICT effectively in order to support active, student-centered learning. You will learn how to align digital tools with specific learning objectives and outcomes, ensuring that technology serves as a means to improve teaching and learning rather than just an add-on. The topic introduces lesson planning strategies and showcases approaches such as flipped classrooms, project-based learning, and collaborative problem-solving as models for enhancing student engagement, creativity, and critical thinking.

      Please click Resource 6 to learn how you can plan your lesson. Use your notebook to summarize the points on how to ICT to learning objectives. 

    • Open Resource 7 to learn more about Practical ICT-Supported Approaches for Student-Centred Teaching

    • Try out your understanding by attempting this lesson quiz.

    • Lesson 3 Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Lesson 4: Evaluating ICT-Supported Pedagogies

    • Introduction

      This lesson equips you with the ability to assess how effectively ICT tools and strategies are being used to support learning. Evaluation goes beyond checking if technology was used; it focuses on whether ICT improved teaching quality, student engagement, and learning outcomes. You will explore different evaluation methods, identify success indicators, and practice using feedback to refine your teaching.

      Resource 8 gives some evaluation methods and indicators of success during evaluation. Go through Resource 8 and make a 2-paragraph summary.

    • Test your understanding by completing the short quiz below.

    • Lesson 4 Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Lesson 5: Challenges and Best Practices in ICT Integration

    • Introduction

      This lesson highlights the common challenges teachers face when integrating ICT into progressive pedagogies and provides practical strategies for addressing them. It emphasizes equity, inclusivity, and best practices to ensure that all learners—regardless of background or resources—benefit from ICT.

      Go through Resource 9 to uncover common challenges associated with ICT integration in teaching and learning. Note down 3 key challenges in your notebook that you can use later in the discussion forum.

  • Unit Discussion

    • You have now explored how ICT can support progressive, student-centred teaching — including flipped lessons, collaborative/group work with one device, project-based tasks, low-data strategies, equity and inclusion, and how to evaluate ICT use for continuous improvement.

      Please respond to BOTH questions below:

      Looking at your own teaching context (school, subject, resources, learners):

      1. Which ONE change or practice from this unit do you feel is most realistic for you to implement in the next 2–4 weeks, and why?
      2. What is the BIGGEST barrier you still expect to face — and what is one practical step you could take to reduce or work around that barrier?
    • Unit Discussion Forum
      Make forum posts: 2

  • Unit Assessment

    • Unit Quiz
      Let us see if you have learned anything in this unit. Please take the test below.
    • Final Unit Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Summary and Conclusion

    • In this unit, you explored how progressive, learner-centred pedagogies can be strengthened through the purposeful use of ICT. You examined approaches such as inquiry-based learning, collaboration, flipped classrooms, and project-based learning, and learned how digital tools can support engagement, creativity, and deeper learning when aligned with clear learning objectives and learner needs.

      You also developed practical skills in selecting, designing, and evaluating ICT-supported lessons, with attention to accessibility, equity, and real classroom contexts. By reflecting on challenges and best practices, you are now better equipped to make realistic, context-appropriate improvements to your teaching that support inclusive and effective learning.

  • Attribution, References & Licence