scholarly journals A comprehensive model for assessing student teachers’ professional competence through an integrated curriculum approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nhlanhla Mpofu ◽  
Mncedisi C. Maphalala
Keyword(s):  
Student Teachers ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
Integrated Curriculum ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Narrative Literature Review

The purpose of this concept study was to propose a comprehensive model for assessing student teachers’ competences in teaching practice. The study answered the following question: How can student teachers be holistically assessed for teaching practice using a comprehensive model? Teaching practice is a crucial component of initial teacher education (ITE) preparation programmes. However, while teaching practice is one of the most widely studied areas in ITE, international studies indicate fragmented trajectories in the assessment of teaching practice. In addition, very few studies in South Africa have reflected on how assessment is done for teaching practice during ITE programmes. In most of these programmes, performance-based, observation-based, or on-demand assessments are given preference at the expense of others. Against this background, this study was designed to produce a comprehensive model for assessment of teaching practice during initial teacher preparation from the available literature. Epistemologically, the study was underpinned by social constructivism and theoretically supported by an integrated curriculum approach. The study followed a narrative literature review approach, focusing on studies that explored ways in which teaching practice is assessed in ITE. From this analysis, the study provided a holistic and comprehensive model for assessing student teachers’ professional competences during teaching practice.

scholarly journals “This is why students feel lost when they go into teaching practice”: English Language Teachers’ Views on their Initial Teacher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 371-387
Author(s):  
Sue Garton
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research

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.

scholarly journals English language skills for disciplinary purposes: What practices are used to prepare student teachers?

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Nhlanhla Mpofu ◽  
Mncedisi C Maphalala
Keyword(s):  
Student Teachers ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Academic Values ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
English Language Skills

In the study reported on in this article, we explored the preparation practices used to prepare student teachers to use English language skills in disciplinary content teaching. Despite studies which emphasise generic academic literacy where language is a subset of this field discourse, there is a dearth of research studies on the use of English in the specific context of disciplines in initial teacher education (ITE), which is addressed here. Guided by social constructivism, we collected data from 102 purposively selected student teachers from 3 universities. A qualitative multiple case study design was used as the methodological tool, and data from focus group discussions and document analysis were collected, documented and analysed. The results of the analysis show that the student teachers were prepared using structured and unstructured English Across the Curriculum (EAC) pedagogical activities. Structured activities are content oriented learning processes that are largely rigid and prescriptive, while unstructured activities are rooted in the academic values and identity that are held in the institution. Although drawn from a relatively small sample, these findings may assist ITE institutions to develop a curriculum that attends to multiple strategies for developing student teachers’ strategic competence in EAC.

Exploring Professional Development of Teachers: The Case of Ethiopia, Finland, India and Singapore

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-133
Author(s):  
Gara Latchanna ◽  
Mittireddy Venkataramana ◽  
Abebe Garedew
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Professional Autonomy ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Special Needs Education ◽  
Professional Development Of Teachers

The paper attempts to provide a snapshot of the current practices in the Professional Development of Teachers (PDoT) in four selected countries namely, Ethiopia, Finland, India and Singapore. PDoT has been analysed in the form of a continuum of Initial Teacher Education (ITE), Induction and Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The survey of literature revealed that for ITE in two countries, i.e. Ethiopia and India, the system was unable to attract competent applicants, as a result ofwhich the professional competence of teachers suffered. On the other hand, Finland and Singapore were the epitomes of having effective ITE system. The ability to attract candidates with high potential into ITE, right amount of emphasis on theory and practice in ITE programmes, the existence of effective CPD and rigorous professional development community involving the ministry of education, universities of teacher education and schools, and high prestige for the teaching profession enabled Finland and Singapore to be the star performers in PDoT. In Finland, the provision of one-year CPD training on special needs education to all teachers and professional autonomy to teachers were the salient features whereas in Singapore, a monthly stipend for student teachers during initial teacher education and multifarious career tracks for the teacher were a few additional features. 'This survey of literature has presented significant lessons drawn from eachrespective country regardingpractices in PDoT.

scholarly journals Assessors, School Support and Teaching Practice at the University of Nairobi Kenya: Addressing Teacher Professional Competence

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 430
Author(s):  
Paul Amollo Odundo ◽  
Lucas Othuon ◽  
Ganira Khavugwi Lillian
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
School Support ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
Development Activity ◽  
Teacher Trainees ◽  
Teacher Trainee

<p><em>Supporting and mentoring teacher trainee competence during teaching practice forms an indispensable part of professional and personal development. A positive interaction between university assessors, secondary school principals, collaborating teachers, and regular teachers plays a vital role in fostering professional competence among teacher trainees. Consistent with professional development is that knowledge and learning is entrenched in social contexts and experiences promoted though interaction with significant others. The nature of support provided during teaching practice enhances sustained class management, improved professional development, activity based learning and learner achievement. On the other hand, inadequate support may turn teaching practice into a stressful disempowering and unproductive exercise for teacher trainees. The purpose of this study is to examine university assessors and school support in teacher trainee development at University of Nairobi. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a population of 68 student teachers on teaching practice randomly sampled from 17 Counties. Data was collected through questionnaires for teacher trainees. Data analysis involved application of descriptive and inferential statistics, and presented using tables and graphs. Analysis yielded three themes, unsupportive relations, moderately supportive, and very supportive. The results indicated considerable support during teaching practice where </em><em>“</em><em>very supportive</em><em>”</em><em> scored the highest percentages. The study recommends development of practical and consistent policies and infrastructure that provides coordinated support for teacher trainees.</em></p>

scholarly journals A Finnish model of teacher education informs a South African one: A teaching school as a pedagogical laboratory

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anni Loukomies ◽  
Nadine Petersen ◽  
Jari Lavonen
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Classroom Management ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
South African ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Educational Innovation ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
African Context

In this study, we examined student teachers’ learning during their teaching placement period in Finland and South Africa. The setting of the inquiry in both countries was a ‘teaching’ school, affiliated to a university teacher education programme. The teaching school is also referred to as an educational innovation that was transferred from the Finnish context to the South African context. Data were collected through an interview protocol. The findings show that the students, like many of their counterparts in different parts of the world, focused on teaching tools and methods as well as classroom management as a gateway to their teaching career. The extended teaching placement period at both the university teaching schools was expected to yield some findings about the intersection of teaching practice and its supporting theories because of the close collaboration of the schools and the universities. Some of the findings satisfied this expectation while other parts did not, confirming that initial teacher education may be regarded as a platform for learning to be teachers, but it has its own limits even in a pedagogical ‘laboratory’. The transfer of the educational innovation was regarded as successful.

scholarly journals Teaching Practice Program in the College of Education – its Strengths and Challenges

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawit Yikealo Gebretinsae ◽  
Ikali Karvinen
Keyword(s):  
Student Teachers ◽  
Cooperating Teachers ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
College Of Education ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Short Time

This research was conducted to evaluate the teaching practice program practiced every second semester in the College of Education (CoE) found in Eritrea Institute of Technology, Mainefhi. It explored the challenges and strengths of the program. To conduct this qualitative study, a questionnaire and a focused group discussion was used. A total of 104 participants (cooperating teachers, student teachers and supervisors)were selected for the study. The findings reveal that the teaching program in the CoE is practiced in a short time span with difficulties in materializing the proposed budget by the CoE and other challenges that vitiate its quality. However, the involvement of the cooperating teachers (CTs) and supervisors is satisfying. Majority of the student teachers (STs) felt that the practice plays a great role in preparing them for the teaching profession. Therefore, generally solving the budget implementation issue and the minor drawbacks of the program will definitely make it contribute a lot in producing qualified teachers. Finally, these findings are expected to mitigate the limitations of the program and raise the outcome of the practice. Besides, other initial teacher education institutes may benefit from the study findings.

scholarly journals Pour une conceptualisation de la compétence multiculturelle de l’enseignant

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirela Moldoveanu
Keyword(s):  
Student Teachers ◽  
Multicultural Competence ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Teacher Professionalization ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Government ◽  
Definition Of

Dans un contexte de professionnalisation des enseignants, la compétence multiculturelle bénéficie d’un statut ambigu et controversé autant dans les discours gouvernementaux que dans la pratique enseignante. En s’appuyant sur des formalisations récentes du concept de compétence, cette étude vise à cerner le sens et le statut de la compétence multiculturelle de l’enseignant. Menée auprès de neuf étudiants-maîtres francophones, cette recherche exploratoire utilisant une méthodologie qualitative interprétative propose une définition de la compétence multiculturelle de l’enseignant et discute du statut à lui accorder parmi les autres compétences professionnelles. Enfin, des suggestions de développement de ladite compétence pendant la formation initiale des enseignants sont formulées. In the context of teacher professionalization multicultural competence receives an ambiguous and controversial status both in the government discourse and in teaching practice. Based on recent formalizations of the concept of competence, this study aims at defining the meaning and status of teachers’ multicultural competence. This exploratory research carried out with nine francophone student teachers used an interpretive qualitative methodology to propose a definition of multicultural competence for teachers, and discusses the status it should be granted among other professional competences. Suggestions are provided on how to devleop this competence during initial teacher education.

scholarly journals Student teachers’ views of their experiences in a Bachelor’s programme

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sene Van Heerden ◽  
Yusuf Sayed ◽  
Zahraa McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Pedagogic Content Knowledge

Background: It is widely accepted that the quality of schools depends on the quality of teachers. Understanding what occurs while learning to teach is an important pursuit for acquiring a sense of the quality of teachers. The initial development of teachers is a critical point from which to activate such understanding.Aim: This study, therefore, examines the ways in which pedagogic content knowledge is developed within experiences that relate to initial teacher education programmes. Pedagogic content knowledge is a concept describing a form of knowledge related to transmitting subject matter knowledge to learners.Setting: A qualitative study was conducted with a cohort of participants in the final year of a bachelor’s degree programme.Methods: Data generation ensued from focus group discussions, complemented by questionnaire data. The study analysed data categorised according to themes.Results: Findings demonstrate that the participants found their initial teacher education programme to have had positive and negative influences with regard to the development of pedagogic content knowledge. Administrative duties, adapting to school contexts, relationships with people of influence (such as lecturers during initial teacher education and mentor teachers), teaching practice (which had the most profound influence on classroom practice) and professional knowledge and skills as taught during initial teacher education were all factors that had an impact on participants’ experiences in developing their pedagogic content knowledge.Conclusion: This paper argues for the need to rethink the structure of initial teacher education programmes in order to better facilitate the development of pedagogic content knowledge.

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