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.

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 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.

The relationship between social capital and innovativeness climate in schools

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanifi Parlar ◽  
Mahmut Polatcan ◽  
Ramazan Cansoy
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relationship Networks ◽  
Intermediary Role ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Professional learning communities that merge under the same goal in schools where social relationship networks are strong can contribute to creating an atmosphere which provides a basis for innovativeness. In this study the relationships between social capital, innovativeness climate and professional learning communities were examined through the views of teachers working at public schools. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The data of this study, which utilised correlational survey model, were collected from 734 teachers who work in the Umraniye district of Istanbul, Turkey. Findings The findings revealed that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between social capital, innovativeness climate and professional learning communities. The results demonstrated that teachers’ perceptions of social capital in schools affected their perceptions of innovativeness climate and that professional learning communities had an intermediary role in this relationship. These findings showed that the richness in social relationship networks provided a basis for the development of innovative teaching practices in schools and the professional learning environments created in schools contributed to this process. Research limitations/implications In this study, the intermediary role of professional learning communities on the effect of social capital on innovativeness climate was analysed via teachers’ views. In the literature no study studying the relationship between social capital, innovativeness climate and professional learning communities was found. Practical implications It can be put forward that there is a need for studies that analyse the effect of the roots of social capital on innovativeness culture to identify other variables that may potentially be relevant. In addition, this study may be a contribution to the literature by providing a study on the concepts of social capital and innovativeness climate, which were studied in the fields of social sciences extensively, in educational settings and this supports the field through theoretical and empirical studies. Originality/value This study demonstrated the effects of the concept of social capital on innovativeness climate which provides a basis for innovativeness in educational institutions. This topic is currently on the agenda of the OECD and World Bank. Moreover, this study aims to show the intermediary role of professional learning communities in the relationship between social capital and innovativeness climate.

scholarly journals The Future Role of Vocational Education Teachers in the Professional Learning Communities in Public Schools from the Perspective of Principals and Academic Supervisors in Jordan

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 322
Author(s):  
Sameer Aowad Kassab Shdaifat ◽  
Al- Huson
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Vocational Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Future Role ◽  
Academic Qualification ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Future

The present study aims to explore the future role of vocational education teachers in the professional learning communities in public schools from the perspective of principals and academic supervisors in Jordan. The sample consists from 91 principals and academic supervisors. Those principals and academic supervisors were selected from the public schools that are under the supervision of Bani Obeid Directorate of Education in Irbid, Jordan. The present study was conducted during the academic year (2019/2020). A descriptive approach is adopted by the researcher. The researcher developed a questionnaire that consists from 25 items. He measured the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. It was found that principals and academic supervisors have positive attitudes towards the future role of vocational education teachers in the professional learning communities in public schools. It was found that there isn’t any significant difference between the respondents’ attitudes which can be attributed to their experience or academic qualification. The researcher recommends creating vocational training departments in public schools

School Librarians as Significant Other

2013 ◽  
pp. 56-66
Author(s):  
Lara M. Luetkehans ◽  
Rebecca D. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
Significant Other ◽  
School Librarians

This chapter explores three strands of research: professional learning communities, the significant others in the development of pre-service teachers, and teacher-school librarian collaboration to develop a strategy for using Online Professional Learning Communities (OPLC) as a means for fostering career-long, mutually beneficial collaborations among teachers and school librarians. A previous study of such an OPLC comprised of pre-service and in-service teachers, university faculty, and school librarians is described. The role of the school librarian as a member of the OPLC is examined, particularly as a significant other (Karmos & Jacko, 1977) in the professional development of pre-service teachers. Recommendations include the key elements of creating OPLCs that are inclusive and demonstrate the value school librarians bring to this community.

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