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.

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.

scholarly journals The Light and Shadow Brought to Teacher Education by Digitizing the Educational Environment: The Case of Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Kihara
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Reflective Practitioners ◽  
Light And Shadow

In this paper, the trends and issues of teacher education research and practices in Japan are clarified from the viewpoint of the digitization of the educational environment. This will be achieved through a review of the literature and policy documents on recent educational practices and teacher education. Firstly, Japanese teacher education and the ICT environment in schools are summarized. In addition, the Japanese concept of “teachers who continue to learn” and its multidimensional character is explained. Secondly, a model of the above idea that consists of five dimensions is introduced: (1) social navigators, (2) technical experts, (3) inquiry practitioners, (4) critical practitioners, and (5) members of professional learning communities. Thirdly, through the review, it is pointed out that all of them are affected by the digitization of the educational environment, which has been accelerated as a countermeasure to COVID-19. In conclusion, it is stated that the digitization of the educational environment and its accelerated progress casts both light and shadow on the role of Japanese teachers as reflective practitioners. Additionally, it is referenced that there are many differences among schools and regions on the ratio of light and shadow in Japan, even though it is geographically small.

Mobile Learning to Support Computational Thinking in Initial Teacher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Cornelia Connolly ◽  
Raquel Hijón-Neira ◽  
Seán Ó Grádaigh
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Subject

Research on the role of mobile learning in computational thinking is limited, and even more so in its use in initial teacher education. Aligned to this there is a need to consider how to introduce and expose pre-service teachers to computational thinking constructs within the context of the subject area they will teach in their future classrooms. This paper outlines a quasi-experimental study to examine the role of mobile learning in facilitating computational thinking development amongst pre-service teachers in initial teacher education. The study enquires if there are significant differences in grades achieved in computational thinking and programming learning when mobile learning is introduced. Findings showed and reaffirmed the positive influence of the mobile applications on the development of computational thinking amongst the pre-service teachers who participated.

scholarly journals Re-forming Initial Teacher Education in Wales: A Personal Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-59
Author(s):  
John Furlong
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Close Collaboration ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Partner Schools

The focus of this special issue is the changes to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) that have been instituted in Wales over the last two years. At the heart of the new approach is the insistence that in the future all programmes of ITE should be planned, led and delivered not by universities alone, but by universities working in close collaboration with a number of partner schools. But what is the justification for these radical changes? Why is a collaborative approach between universities and schools needed? This paper, which takes the form of a personal literature review, sets out the research evidence on which I drew in contributing the reform process. It considers evidence on three issues: the role of schools; the role of universities; and the ways in which they can effectively work together.

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.

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