TITLE:
The Impact of Open and Distance Learning Material on Mindfulness Practices of Primary School Teachers
AUTHORS:
Kumbukage Dona Ruwandika Lakmali Jayalath Perera, Galappaththige Dayalatha Lekamge
KEYWORDS:
Mindfulness Practices, Open and Distance Learning, Pilot Study, Primary
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.9 No.5,
May
11,
2021
ABSTRACT: At present, in Sri Lanka, there are no programmes developed to train
teachers in mindfulness through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) methods that
can easily be distributed. The materials developed have been compiled into a
short course titled “Mindfulness Practices for Primary Teachers” which will be offered to
teachers. Before, offering the course to a larger audience, a pilot study was
conducted. The objectives of this pilot study were; to produce learning materials
(in module and AV format) using the OUSL resources, to deliver the course
(Print, AV, on-line) by enrolling Sinhala and Tamil primary teachers in Western
Province, to assess the impact and delivery of the material by using a variety
of means during the course and after completing the course, and to make
suggestions for further improvement of the material in line with the findings
of the pilot study. Mixes of survey and action research designs were used. Two
questionnaires for primary teachers and OUSL academics who are involved in
conducting the course, a questionnaire for the two experts, their reflections,
and a reflective journal for primary teachers were used as the primary data
collection methods. Samples of 100 teachers, six OUSL academics, and the two experts/facilitators
were selected to enroll and complete the pilot study of the programme. The data
collected through the questionnaires was analysed quantitatively using
percentages and content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data recorded
in the reflective journals and collected through documents. It could be
concluded that the short course on mindfulness practices had a positive impact
on the primary teachers. They were able to change themselves, their students,
and their teaching processes because of the short course. The training received
by the OUSL academics from the experts leads them to re-think about their
day-to-day practices. Further, the implementation of the course should be
streamlined to facilitate the teachers self-practices.