scholarly journals Exploring The Influence of COVID-19 on Initial Teacher Education in Malta: Student Participation in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Gatt ◽  
Charmaine Bonello ◽  
Josephine Deguara ◽  
Rosienne Farrugia ◽  
Tania Muscat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Student Participation ◽  
Blind Spot ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Higher Eduction

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid transition from onsite to online learning spaces for initial teacher education (ITE); with Universities even adopting new modes of pedagogy and assessment. This study explores: (1) how Maltese ITE undergraduate early years and postgraduate primary education students dealt with more remote forms of learning during the pandemic in Malta, and (2) the teaching/lecturing modes used, by lecturers, for remote learning, assessment and concerns that tie-in with broader student wellbeing. The data were gathered through an online quantitative survey designed to collect information about ITE students’ views. Student responses strongly suggest that in the eventuality of an ongoing vaccination ‘post-COVID’ era, ITE within HE programmes should consider revisiting the course content and delivery, supporting and fostering, blended and online approaches. A ‘blind spot’ reflecting the struggle for independence, autonomy, and control during COVID-19 in a postcolonial Maltese Higher Eduction context also emerged. The insights gained highlight how ITE students’ views on their experiences of online pedagogy, assessment, and how these new modes impacted their wellbeing within a Maltese HE context can serve to inform policy and practice. These results emphasize the need to promote participatory research amongst university students as key to inform HE policy and practice. Keywords: Initial Teacher Education; Online learning; Covid-19; student participation; Higher Education 

scholarly journals EUROPEAN INSPIRATIONS FOR POST-GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION FOR INCLUSION IN GREECE

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charis-Olga Papadopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Graduate Education ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Language Teacher Education ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Self Study ◽  
Graduate Teacher Education

<p>The present paper explores the extent to and the ways in which European mandates for teacher education for inclusion can inspire post-graduate teacher education for inclusion in the context of Greek higher education. With means of a longitudinal self-study on such a course for language teachers the empowering effects of teacher education for inclusion are identified, barriers to it are looked into and suggestions for improvement, as exemplified by the Greek context, are made. The present research aims to contribute to our thinking on inclusive education in that the Profile of Inclusive Teachers, so far related mainly to initial teacher education, is related to post-graduate education and language teacher education, so far minimally explored in self-studies, is explored.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0628/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals Using an open digital space assessment on a course for new teachers in higher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
New Teachers ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Related Topic ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Digital Space ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Assessment Survey ◽  
Survey Responses

An assignment was devised in an open online space to enable participants on a year-long initial teacher education course to deepen and share their knowledge on a teaching-related topic of interest, to develop their digital skills and to enable reflection on their experience of the task. After two cohorts had completed the assignment, a small research project was then carried out to explore participants’ experience of and attitudes towards this type of assessment. Survey responses suggest that, overall, participants found it to be a worthwhile activity that encouraged them to engage with the literature and reflect on their own and others’ practice. Participants also critiqued the task implementation and commented on how they would adapt it within their own teaching contexts to encourage fuller engagement with the tasks. Following feedback the assignment brief was fully revised for the following year.     

scholarly journals Supporting Student Transition into Professional Practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Jacqueline Dey ◽  
Angela Lindsay ◽  
Patricia Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Student Transition ◽  
Student Focus ◽  
Student Transitions

Transitions can affect students throughout their time at university. This study aims to show the potential of an additional, non-assessed placement in supporting MA3 Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students with skills thought to benefit transitions. Much of the research around student transitions focuses upon transitions into and out of higher education. In addition, within the MA ITE programme, students perceive challenges in transitioning into Professional Practice during their four year programme. A pilot study was undertaken to support third year MA ITE students in developing skills and attributes associated with the enhancement theme of student transitions in higher education: self-efficacy; reflection; and connectedness. The study involved MA3 students visiting an Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) setting in one local authority, one afternoon a week for eight weeks, the aim of the placement being for them to gain experience in playing and communicating with younger children, prior to their official early years placement. Initial findings from student focus group discussions suggest that students perceived that the study did help to support them in further developing transition skills and attributes.

Engage Online Learners

2018 ◽  
pp. 96-118
Author(s):  
Sang Chan ◽  
Devshikha Bose
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Flow Theory ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Student Instructor

Online learning will continue to be one of the popular modes of instruction offered by higher education institutions to accommodate different learning needs. Student engagement is critical to the success of online learning. Students should be engaged cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally. This chapter discusses design considerations for online courses to promote student-instructor, student-student, and student-content interactions to engage students cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally. The chapter also discusses the application of flow theory, specifically, in the design of instruction to engage students during their interaction with course content.

scholarly journals Ideological trends in initial teacher education curricula: the case of East African universities

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Structural Adjustment ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
East African ◽  
Independent State ◽  
East African Community ◽  
Classical Humanism ◽  
University Council

This paper reviews the ideological trends in initial teacher education curricula in East African universities during the post-independent and contemporary times. From the mid-1960s and mid-1980s, initial teacher education curricula were integrated and harmonised with support from the East African Community whose efforts were coordinated by the Inter-University Council for East Africa. With the breakup of the Community in 1977, each independent state pursued its own educational strategy. However, underfunding of the public sector by governments, introduction of market-friendly reforms under the World Bank Structural Adjustment Programme in 1987 and the de-regularisation policies led to the liberalisation of public services, including education. Liberalisation affected among others, the quality of the initial teacher education curricula. Consequently, national councils and commissions for higher education were established to control standards in higher education, and the Inter-University Council for East Africa was revived to standardise and harmonise educational standards at regional level. The review shows that over the past five decades, the structure and organisation of initial teacher education curricula has continuously adjusted itself and been adjusted to a hybrid culture blending classical humanism, utilitarianism, social re-constructionism, market and global ideologies. Comparable ideological inclinations at socio-economic and political levels have influenced this trend in the region. The paper highlights the implications of such trends on the future of initial teacher education in the region.

scholarly journals Something Old, Something New:  Initial Teacher Education in the Online Mode

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anne Yates
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Beginning Teachers ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
Multiple Case

<p>Access to the internet has allowed online learning to become widespread. However, online learning can be met with scepticism and is often seen as second best. This thesis examines experiences of several beginning teachers who completed their initial teacher education solely in the online mode. It sought to discover perceptions of their preparedness to teach in a face-to-face classroom. The methodological approach was a multiple case study underpinned by a constructivist paradigm. Nine beginning teachers volunteered to complete two surveys and seven agreed to be interviewed. Using inductive content analysis, three overarching themes emerged. Participants were in general agreement that the content covered in the online course was comprehensive and had prepared them well to begin teaching, though findings did indicate that the beginning teachers experienced a theory/practice divide between what was learnt from the online content and what they experienced in schools during practicum. Studying online had advantages and challenges, the major advantage being the flexibility online study affords, and the major challenge coping with the sense of isolation from peers. The beginning teachers were in a variety of contexts and received varying induction support. Those receiving little support encountered difficulties in managing students' behaviour and experienced falling efficacy, emphasising that effective induction is essential for beginning teachers to thrive and develop professionally. The findings from this research identified recommendations to improve the online initial teacher education learning experience. The links between the online programme and teaching practicum need strengthening so these parts of the programme align. Lecturers need to make full use of Web 2.0 tools to develop tasks that create learning communities and dispel the feeling of isolation. Further research into the relationship between induction support and efficacy needs to occur to see if this phenomenon is more widespread.</p>

scholarly journals Incorporating Citizenship Education Framework in Social Studies Teachers’ Education Programme in Sultanate of Oman

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Saif Al-Maamari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Citizenship Education ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Social Studies Teacher

Educational system in Oman is attempting to educate Omani students to be "good" citizens in an increasingly globalized society. However, a few studies that have been conducted until now in Oman revealed a gap between the intentions of the educational policy of teaching citizenship education in the schools and the actual practices of teacher education preparation programs. Therefore, any endeavor to develop citizenship in Oman schools will not achieve its goals without taking teacher education into account both pre-service and in-service. Accordingly, the present study aims to propose a framework for developing citizenship education in the initial teacher education in Oman. This descriptive study highlighted the gap between the policy and practice in social studies teacher education. The international literature reveals that student teachers feel insufficiently prepared to develop citizenship and Omani student teachers are not exceptional. Thus, the present study proposed a framework to incorporate citizenship education in the current teachers' preparation programs. Furthermore, the study reveals the inadequate presence of the topic of citizenship in teacher education. Therefore, teachers' understanding of citizenship becomes shallow, which undoubtedly leads to superficial learning on the part of the students. Therefore, a framework was proposed to develop citizenship in teacher education. This framework consists of the rationale behind the change, the Layout of the ground for change in teacher education, the mechanisms of the change, and the areas of the change.

scholarly journals Challenges of initial teacher education in the context of higher education reform in Serbia

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Branka Radulović ◽  
◽  
Olivera Gajić ◽  
Svetlana Španović ◽  
Biljana Lungulov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Higher Education Reform ◽  
Initial Teacher Education
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