A Ugandan teacher has found an innovative way to encourage descriptive writing skills

Racheal Akol works in a day-government-aided school, with an average of 80 students in each class. The classes Racheal Akol teaches often have low learning levels, especially in language and literacy. Racheal created The Robot Tree to enhance her students' learning, and improve their writing skills. The Robot Tree is created using plastic bottles and was developed to encourage peer-to-peer and collaborative learning, as a way of addressing low engagement levels and large classroom sizes. The Robot Tree encourages the class to work together in groups and brainstorm adjectives that they can use to embellish their work. Racheal’s idea aids collaboration, improving student comprehension, as well as their engagement.  

“When we are using the tree, it makes all the group members active and each group would wish to come up with the best work to present on the robot tree.”

- Alungat Winnifred, Teacher, Kololo Secondary School, Uganda

As well as developing her students' language skills, the Robot Tree also focuses on increasing students’ climate awareness. Students are encouraged to collect bottles to help create the tree, removing them from the local environment.  

Racheal has seen a noticeable improvement across all subjects for her students' since introducing The Robot Tree; they are engaged in her lessons, have improved their writing and have developed an interest in the importance of the environment. Learners are more motivated and are showing more responsibility and creativity in their lessons, especially in discussions about climate change and environmental protection.

“A great teacher is actually one who first understands themselves as a teacher. A teacher who is always looking out for better ways to teach will always be an innovator.”

- Racheal Akol, Teacher at Kololo Secondary School, Uganda

Racheal believes that teachers are creative by nature, and are constantly thinking about how to make their lessons better and more engaging. She also believes that alongside teaching traditional subject matters, it is also important for teachers to be aware of other skills students should learn. For example, in The Robot Tree, Racheal saw an opportunity to also discuss the environment and how her students can be more responsible citizens. She believes it is a teacher’s responsibility to teach students skills and values, alongside a positive attitude towards learning and the world around them.

“As a teacher, we make a difference in people's lives, we need to impact young students positively. They are open-minded, and are waiting for you to make a positive impact.”

- Racheal Akol, Teacher at Kololo Secondary School, Uganda

Find out more about Racheal’s work on her Faved page. Racheal would love to share her work and learn about what others are doing around the world! Please reach out to her through the Faved platform by leaving a comment on her page. Racheal also shares more about her work on her Youtube channel!