scholarly journals Primary specialisations in Australia: graduates’ perceptions of outcome and impact

Author(s):  
S. Main ◽  
M. Byrne ◽  
J. J. Scott ◽  
K. Sullivan ◽  
A. Paolino ◽  
...  

AbstractIn 2014, the Australian Government established the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group (TEMAG) to advise on how teacher education programmes could ensure new teachers were adequately prepared for the classroom. Following this, the Australian Government endorsed a key recommendation of the TEMAG Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers report, the inclusion of specialisations in primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE). This research was conducted at an Australian public university that, in 2016, had embedded specialisations in a revised primary teacher programme structure and was one of the first ITE institutions in Australia to graduate primary teachers with a specialisation. Using a mixed-methods case study design with convenience sampling, this study sought to investigate these primary graduates’ perceptions of undertaking a specialisation in relation to the development of content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge in the specialist area, as well as perceived employment advantages. This research took place over 4 years with participants having completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at least three months prior to participating. The participants reported benefits to having completed a primary specialisation but expressed concerns about their preparedness to teach their specialisation and whether it would result in any advantages for employment. Recommendations from the participants included teaching practice in their area of specialisation, consideration of specialist skills and changing the timetabling of the specialisation in the programme. Ultimately, there is a need for ongoing research in this area to determine the extent to which primary specialisations deliver the intended outcomes and impacts at both the policy driver level and the university level.

Author(s):  
Deb Kaye Clarke ◽  
Matthew Winslade

As initial teacher education students transition to the profession, the experiences offered by the university and partner institutions require intentional, careful, and strategic planning, to ensure positive relational, organisational, and pedagogical experiences for all stakeholders (Lynch & Smith, 2012; Moss, 2008). To minimise the tensions between the theoretical positioning of the university and the practicality of the classroom, respectful and collaborative partnerships need to be central to the design and facilitation of professional experience programmes (Lynch & Smith, 2012). The ‘Hub’ is a longitudinal research and practice partnership between a NSW regional university with Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, and a local, multi-campus secondary College. This paper describes the outcomes of one collaboratively designed initiative of the project: evaluating a team teaching approach in the Bachelor of Education degree. Survey and interview data were gathered from all key stakeholders regarding the efficacy of the ‘teaming’ of academics and teachers to facilitate workshops in professional experience subjects. Survey data were statistically analysed, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative artefacts. Results of the initial pilot indicate significant value-adding to the professional experience subjects, particularly flagging students increased readiness for employability. Reciprocally, the school teachers indicated their increased understandings of the preparedness of ITE students to engage in professional experience, their heightened capacity to reflect on practice, and enhancement of their leadership and mentoring skills.


1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-181
Author(s):  
Ian Abbott ◽  
Caron Coldicott ◽  
Moss Foley ◽  
Prue Huddleston ◽  
Peter Stagg

The Economics and Business Studies Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Warwick has been at the forefront of developing links between initial teacher education and business. The latest stage in this process occurred in January 1996 when 22 PGCE students undertook a three-day residential course established in a partnership between the University of Warwick, Understanding British Industry (UBI) and the UK Post Office. This course was the first of its kind in the UK to be sponsored by an individual company and has been designed to provide a model which can be used in all areas of initial teacher education links between business and initial teacher education. The authors address practical and theoretical issues relating to the development of links between business and initial teacher education. The broader theoretical issues considered include the significance of this type of activity in relation to the changes taking place in initial teacher education in England and Wales, such as the development of competencies, the role of continuing professional development and the appropriateness of the model. The authors also address the practical implications of working with business, and the development of a residential programme in a crowded timetable, and assess some of the curriculum materials produced by students.


Author(s):  
Sue Garton

The last 20-25 years have seen a significant shift in the views about what teachers need to know to be able to teach. This shift has led to new developments in the theory of second language teacher education (SLTE) and a growth in research in this area. One area of research concerns the attitudes and expectations of those learning to become teachers. While most studies in this area focus on teacher education programmes in BANA countries, this article looks at data from student teachers studying in Russia and Uzbekistan. The study employed a quantitative and qualitative research design, using a researcher-designed on-line questionnaire. Through snowball sampling, data from 161 students and recent graduates in the two countries were collected, analysed, and compared to investigate the content of SLTE programmes. The study identified what the novice teachers felt were the strengths and weaknesses of their programme, and what changes they would like to see. Results showed that while the respondents were mainly satisfied with their methodology, and theoretical linguistics courses, they felt the need for more practice, both teaching and language practice. The data also revealed that, in Uzbekistan in particular, the idea of global English struggles to take hold as native-speaker models remain the norm. The implications of the study underline the need for SLTE to explicitly link theory to practice and to promote the idea of varieties of English, rather than focus on native-speaker norms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-121
Author(s):  
Beatrice Sinyama Sichombe

Namibia’s classroom compositions are diverse. Its policies on diversity reflect international practices of achieving Education for All. It advocates for teacher education that is responsive to the country’s needs.  What is unknown is what a socio-cultural curriculum means in Namibian teacher education. This article focuses on the nature of the UNAM’s B.Ed. curriculum and how students learn its contents.  I argue that teacher education for diversity should go beyond traditional teacher education programmes. Its curricula should adopt a socio-cultural view. Coursework and teaching practice should reflect the needs of learners and society.  Data collection consisted of documents, and interviews.  Content analysis was used. Findings revealed that teaching practice lacked dedication in regard to diversity teaching. Consequently, the B.Ed. Programme partially equipped students with competencies to teach diverse learners because coursework alone cannot suffice. The study contributes to knowledge of what a socio-cultural curriculum means in Namibian teacher education.    


2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael James Anderson ◽  
Kelly Freebody

Teacher education in universities is under pressure. In many new education policies there is a renewed focus on teacher quality, and therefore quality initial teacher education. In some countries this renewed focus has led to a resurgence of “alternative approaches” to teacher education such as Teach for America / Australia. One of the most persistent complaints about pre-service teacher education is that educational theory presented in these programs does not relate sufficiently to the real work of teachers. In an attempt to overcome these real or perceived divides, tertiary drama educators at the University of Sydney constructed a professional experience program based on both the community of practice model (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and Frierean notions of praxis (1972). The community of praxis approach emphasises the importance of integrating theory and practice to support the development of beginning teachers. This article outlines the development, implementation, and evaluation of this approach, including the reasoning behind its foundation and the theoretical and practical significance of such an approach for teacher-educators.


Author(s):  
Beatriz Jarauta Borrasca ◽  
María José Pérez Cabrera

Resumen:¿Cómo se aprende a ser docente? ¿Cómo influye la formación inicial en la construcción de la profesionalidad e identidad como maestro? Ante estas preguntas, la investigación “Desarrollo del conocimiento profesional a través del plan de estudios del grado de maestro en educación primaria. Perspectivas del alumnado y profesorado” (EDU2012-39866-C02-02), pretende comprender los procesos que los estudiantes del Grado de Magisterio en Educación Primaria, de la Universidad de Barcelona, llevan a cabo para la construcción de su identidad profesional. Para ello, desde una metodología de carácter cualitativo basado en el estudio de casos, se aplicaron diversos instrumentos de recogida de información (tales como relatos, grupos de discusión y entrevistas) que permitieron un acercamiento desde la visión del estudiantado, del profesorado de universidad y del profesorado de centro escolar. A la luz de los resultados obtenidos, puede determinarse la influencia de sus experiencias previas, atravesadas por una elevada motivación que, a medida que avanzan en la formación, va adquiriendo tintes de realidad al asumir cada vez más una mirada desde el punto de vista de futuro maestro, y no tan anclada en la perspectiva del alumno. El hito de mayor relevancia en la construcción de su identidad se produce durante el practicum, pues es el escenario en el que se ponen en cuestión sus ideas, expectativas, preconcepciones… Acompañar la transición entre la idealización inicial de escuela y maestro hacia la recomposición de la profesionalidad y la construcción de su propia identidad, son funciones clave de la formación inicial. Abstract:How does one become a teacher? What makes a teacher? How does initial teacher training influence the development of professionalism and identity as a teacher? Faced with these questions, the aim of the research paper titled "The development of professional knowledge through the Primary Teacher Education Degree programme. Students’ and teachers’ perspectives" (EDU2012-39866-C02-02) is to understand the processes students undergo in the construction of their professional identity while pursuing a Primary Teacher Education Degree at the University of Barcelona. Following a qualitative type methodology based on case study, we used various data collection tools (such as stories, discussion groups and interviews) that allowed us to gain greater insight into the viewpoint of students, university teaching staff and cooperating teachers. In light of the results obtained, it is possible to determine the influence of previous experiences embedded in the high motivational levels of these students. Then, as they advance through their training, they begin to acquire hints of the reality of teaching and gradually assume a teacher’s frame of mind, less anchored in the student's perspective. The most important milestone in the construction of a teacher identity occurs during teaching practice; the setting in which a teacher’s ideas, expectations, preconceptions, etc. are put to the test. Accompanying the transition from the initial idealisation of the school and the teacher towards greater professionalism and the construction a teacher’s own identity are key functions of the initial teacher training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-69
Author(s):  
Charmaine Helena Iwu

This study was undertaken with the aim of understanding how newly qualified female teachers perceive teaching practicum in the South African context. Teaching Practicum is a vital component of the initial teacher education (ITE) programme because it enriches future teachers’ knowledge, skills and abilities towards a lifelong career in the teaching profession. Teachers make valuable contributions to the growth of any nation as they help produce future leaders. It is therefore necessary to have a competent teaching workforce to improve pass rates as well as reduce dropout rates among learners. The study took the qualitative deductive premise making use of semi-structured interviews to collect data from more than 30 novice teachers. Key words, which helped in the identification of themes, were distilled from the responses. A core overall finding of the study point to a mix of experiences - benefits and shortcomings - which not only affect the development of prospective teachers but also have profound implications for both policy enhancement and implementation. Regarding policy enhancement and implementation, it is suggested that universities and schools where novice teachers are posted for teaching practice should have good relations for support advancements. In this case, it is advised that the novice teachers should be exposed to critical mentoring opportunities to allow for clearer understanding of the real classroom scope. This study believes that for this to be fruitful, schools should among others be well-equipped. Suggestions for further research are also flagged. .   


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