Initial teacher education as a driver for professional learning and school improvement in the primary phase

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Hurd ◽  
Marion Jones ◽  
Olwen McNamara ◽  
Barbara Craig
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Primary Phase ◽  
Initial Teacher Education

scholarly journals Growing Tomorrow's Teachers Together: The CaBan Initial Teacher Education Partnership

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-231
Author(s):  
Jeremy Griffiths ◽  
Sally Bamber ◽  
Graham French ◽  
Bethan Hulse ◽  
Gwyn Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
North Wales ◽  
Programme Design ◽  
Reflective Practitioners ◽  
Integrate Research

In this paper we outline the philosophy and research foundations underpinning the development of CaBan – an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Partnership developed for the purpose of educating the teachers of tomorrow for North Wales. CaBan represents an ambitious 'learning partnership' of five partners consisting of regional schools, Bangor University, University of Chester, the regional school improvement service (GwE), and the Collaborative Institute for Education Research, Evidence and Impact (CIEREI). Each partner plays a key role in fulfilling our ambitions to contribute to Our National Mission and achieve our vision of 'Growing Tomorrow's Teachers Together.' At its core, the goal of CaBan is to support our new Associate Teachers (ATs) to become creative, inspiring and highly skilled teachers who will contribute to the delivery of A curriculum for Wales – a curriculum for life (Welsh Government, 2015). In this paper we outline: (i) our basic vision and mission as a learning partnership; (ii) the evidence to support our strategic pedagogical position with respect to growing tomorrow's teachers; (iii) the crucial role of mentoring in the development of our ATs as critically reflective practitioners; (iv) how we integrate research as a fundamental element of all we do; (v) how our programme design is underpinned by the notion of professional enquiry and career long professional learning (vi) the specific modes of learning that help nurture ATs' sense of their 'teaching self '; and crucially (vii) the importance of Welsh culture and the Welsh language in education and the role the CaBan partnership has in building capacity to help realise Welsh Government's vision for a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

iTE

2018 ◽  
pp. 2104-2118
Author(s):  
Brendan Mac Mahon ◽  
Seán Ó Grádaigh ◽  
Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Pedagogical Knowledge ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Knowledge Development ◽  
Teaching Learning

Research on the use of iPad in initial teacher education is limited. This paper outlines a study to examine how the professional learning and pedagogical knowledge development of student teachers could be supported following 1:1 iPad deployment on a second level initial teacher education programme in Ireland. Findings show that iPad can be utilised both as an effective pedagogical tool and as a medium for the creation of new learning spaces where student teachers' professional and pedagogical knowledge development is supported through feedback, peer-learning, resource sharing and critical reflection. Creating resources with and for iPad as part of a collaborative design process can also support student teachers in developing and integrating technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) within their approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. Implications for initial teacher education providers and the integration of technology within schools are outlined.

scholarly journals Re-imagining mentoring as a dynamic hub in the transformation of initial teacher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Lofthouse
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Teacher Educator ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Experienced Teacher ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School Based

Purpose Teacher education in many countries is under reform with growing differences in its form and function. This is indicative of the ongoing negotiations around the place of theory, research and practice in teachers’ professional learning. However, the demand for mentoring of trainee teachers during often extended and multiple school-based placements is a relative constant. Indeed, with the trend towards greater school-based professional experience mentoring practices become ever more critical. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper written from the perspective of an experienced teacher educator in England, drawing on both practical experience and a body of associated research. It can be conceptualised as related to cases of practice, linked to episodes of practitioner research grounded in the ethics of the improvability of practice, the desire to meet the needs of the professional communities and a deep understanding of the demands and cultures of their workplaces. Findings Mentoring can be re-imagined as a dynamic hub within a practice development-led model for individual professional learning and institutional growth. Acting on this conceptualisation would allow mentors, trainees and other supporting teacher educators to contribute to the transformation of professional learning practices and educational contexts. Originality/value This paper goes beyond offering merely helpful guidance to participants and stakeholders in mentoring, or stipulating standards to be achieved, to considering what might be described as a hopeful or transformational stance in relation to mentoring. Teacher educators can continue to bring value to the transformation of teacher education through a focus on mentoring as an educative process.

scholarly journals A QUALITATIVE APPROACH TO STUDY THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING: PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF TEACHER-EDUCATORS AND STUDENT-TEACHERS IN INITIAL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasreen Akhtar ◽  
Intazzar Hussain Butt
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Science Teacher Education ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
General View ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Understanding Of Science

There is a general view that the transmission style of teaching is inadequate in helping students develop their learning in science, particularly in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Pakistan. Inquiry-based pedagogy in science is considered key means of improving an understanding of science and helps students cultivate their science literate thinking and develop their confidence to teach science effectively. In light of the key roles of inquiry-based pedagogy in initial science teacher education, this study explores the perceptions of teachers and students at a university in Punjab as how they understand the elements and process of inquiry-based pedagogy. The research is innovative in the context of exploring teacher-educators’ and student-teachers’ perceptions of inquiry-based pedagogy and also in relation to inquiry in the practicalities of their teaching at University in Punjab (Pakistan). Data has been collected using 2 focus groups with student-teachers and 20 interviews with teacher-educators. The result of this study indicates that the teachers and students mostly held positive views about inquiry-based pedagogy. Significantly, the teachers and students showed a limited understanding of the elements of inquiry-based pedagogy in ITE but they appreciated that they could facilitate the learning process using inquiry. When inquiry-based instructional strategies are integrated into a teaching science methods course, the majority of teachers developed a fair understanding of inquiry-based strategies in science. Moreover, the biggest challenges to inquiry are a non-supportive university academia, the current curriculum and assessment methods used. Finally, recommendations about the importance of teachers’ and students’ perceptions on inquiry-based pedagogy, arrangement of resources, preparation for teachers and students are made to the teacher-educators, University administration, and Higher Education Authority.

scholarly journals Online Networks in Teacher Education

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Design Decisions ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Professional Learning Network ◽  
Network Of Networks

Initial teacher education is increasingly happening online, both formally and informally, within networks that are commercial, institutional, governmental, and research-driven. These networks make use of the capabilities of the internet and related technology to better support teachers. The scholarship of teacher learning within online networks can be divided into four main strands: network design, outcomes from network participation, agency within the network of networks, and critical perspectives on online networks of teachers. Online networks are designed environments, and there are design decisions involved in developing different types of teacher network. Research into networked learning provides a common language for talking about these networks that allows for articulation of transferable design principles and comparison between networks. Some studies of networks of teachers are conducted with a focus upon the forms of social support that teachers provide for each other. These studies look to understand the role of online networks within the profession, and to contribute to growing and testing the base of theoretical knowledge about how teachers can be better supported through online networks. There is a growing strand of literature that focuses upon how teacher agency can be developed so that each teacher can take advantage of a world in which online networks are prevalent and can use them to flourish within the profession. Teachers can learn to develop their own professional learning network that makes use of existing online networks. While there is much optimism about the potential of online learning networks to support teachers and serve the profession, there are also perspectives that are critical of the widespread embrace of online networks by teachers and the way in which this development is changing the profession.

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