Critical Thinking course has landed

In the heart of rural Cambodia, where opportunity often feels like a distant dream, a beacon of change emerges: the Critical Thinking course. Spearheaded by PeopleStories, this program seeks to equip children with the tools they need to navigate a complex world and seize control of their destinies. But behind every great initiative lies a team of dedicated individuals, each lending their expertise to shape the course's vision into reality.

Victoria, the founder of PeopleStories, stands at the helm of this transformative initiative. When asked about the development of the Critical Thinking course, she doesn't mince words. "Back in 2019," she begins, her voice resonating with purpose, "we conducted a Khmer Literacy Assessment with 400 children, it revealed a glaring gap in our children's education: while their memorization skills were commendable, their critical thinking abilities lagged behind."

This outcome sparked a fire within Victoria and her team, propelling them to action. "We knew we had to do something," Victoria declares. "And so, the Critical Thinking course was born—a 17-week program designed to instill essential problem-solving skills in our children. Each session offers activities aimed at bolstering critical thinking skills with a practical 'how-to' approach. Concepts such as '5-Why for identifying root causes' and 'Asking open-ended questions to explore options' are just a glimpse of what children will learn and practice."

Victoria is quick to acknowledge that she didn't embark on this journey alone. "I am proud to lead a team of over 30 volunteers from all over the world," she states. "From E-Learning Designers to Editors to Coaches, each member brings a unique skill set to the table, united by a shared commitment to empowering our children."

Among these dedicated individuals is Andreas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-fischer-sydney/), the brilliant E-Learning Designer whose expertise in instructional design has been instrumental in shaping the course's curriculum. When asked about the challenges he faced during the design process, Andreas doesn't shy away from the truth.

"One challenge we faced was accommodating the children's relatively low literacy levels," he explains. "To overcome this, we employed a variety of multimedia elements, including videos, audios, quizzes, and interactive games, to reinforce key concepts."

But perhaps the most daunting hurdle was the task of translating the course content from English to Khmer. "Text animations in videos presented a design challenge," Andreas admits. "But thanks to our team of talented translators, we were able to overcome this obstacle and ensure that the course remained accessible to all."

Roberta https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-thomson-a5777918/, the meticulous Editor, also played a crucial role in bringing the Critical Thinking course to life. When asked about the assessment methods used to measure students' critical thinking abilities, Roberta's response is direct and to the point.

"Children are assessed digitally through informal knowledge checks and group assignments," she states. "These assessments are designed to evaluate their understanding and application of key concepts, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills they need to succeed."

Yet, for Tola, the passionate Coach, the significance of the Critical Thinking course extends far beyond mere academics. "Critical thinking is the key to unlocking the potential of Cambodian children," he declares. "By fostering these skills, we are not only preparing them for future success but also empowering them to become adaptable problem-solvers."

Tola continues, "Our children have spoken!  Let's listen to what they to say after embraking on this incredible learning journey."

And so, as the Critical Thinking course takes root in the fertile soil of rural Cambodia, it heralds a new dawn of possibility—a testament to the power of education to transcend barriers and transform lives. Through the dedication of Victoria and her team, the seeds of change have been sown, promising to bear fruit for generations to come.

Help us to empower children in rural Cambodia complete school: https://bit.ly/Donate_PS2024

Story written by: Volunteer Caroline van ‘t Hoff