Dignitas is delighted to have its innovative LeadNow platform for teacher professional development recognized as one of ten top innovations globally addressing the need for scalable and impactful teacher professional development.
The World Bank and HundrED have just released a Spotlight Report highlighting the top 10 education innovations supporting in-service teacher professional development – and we made the list!
HundrED, a global education non-profit that researches impactful and scalable innovations in K-12 education, joined forces with the World Bank in 2021 to launch this Global Research Project. The initiative set out to identify innovations that are harnessing the power of technology to enhance and scale teacher professional development. Almost 500 innovators across 70 countries responded to the call for proposals, making it one of the most successful HundrED Spotlights to date.
The innovations were reviewed by 51 experts from around the world who submitted nearly 900 reviews of the shortlisted innovations. The top 10 most impactful and scalable innovations were then selected – and we were one of them!
LeadNow is the tech-enabled innovation of Dignitas’ award-winning training and coaching program that has been developing and supporting school leadership teams since 2011 in Kenya and South Sudan. LeadNow was developed in 2020 in response to the global pandemic, and the urgent need for school partners to support learners in marginalised communities during school closures. You can read more about the impact of our covid response here.
Our vision at Dignitas is a worl
d in which every school is a vibrant place for learners to thrive and succeed. We also believe that it’s not possible to have thriving learners if we do not have thriving teachers. Teachers are able to thrive, and deliver quality teaching and learning, when they are well prepared, equipped and supported by School Leaders, and by education systems. Internal and external evaluation of our work has allowed us to refine our focus on what really works for children. The evidence points to three critical levers of transformation for children who are in school, but not learning: instructional leadership, learner engagement, and school and classroom culture, These three levers form the core of our school leader and teacher professional development, whether virtual or inperson.
Dignitas now has a fully developed online training platform, tagged LeadNow, which hosts all of our school leader professional development training and coaching content. However, recognising that many of our communities are low-tech and low-resource, we also offer bitesize modules and school toolkits through our bespoke Chatbot, and WhatsApp Communities of Practice.
Whichever mechanisms are used for training, all are supported by coaching. Whether remote or inperson, Dignitas coaching is individualised and school-based, focused on shifting practices that improve learning. Our unique set of virtual coaching tools offer Dignitas Coaches data straight from classrooms and teachers to inform coaching, and ensure educators get the right support. Dignitas Leadership Coaches work to build trust, create safe spaces for growth, and support classroom and school based shifts in practice.
A focus on teachers is important to improve learner outcomes, so that all children can reach their potential. Technology is an enabler that allows us to reach more teachers, and improve learning and well-being for more children.
“As a result of Dignitas training and coaching in our school, pupils are able to participate freely and lessons are more interactive. I have become more aware of mixed ability in my classroom, and think about how to cater to all learners. Students are more open to share when they have not understood; it’s no longer about pleasing the teacher.”
Teacher Rahab, Nairobi
Thank you to World Bank and HundrED for this special recognition!