Teacher education
Teacher education refers to the policies and procedures designed to equip teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the school and classroom.
Teacher education is often divided into:
- initial teacher training / education (a pre-service course before entering the classroom as a fully responsible teacher);
- induction (the process of providing training and support during the first few years of teaching or the first year in a particular school);
- teacher development or continuing professional development (CPD) (an in-service process for practicing teachers).
The process of mentoring is also relevant.
Organization
Initial teacher education may be organized according to two basic models.
In the 'consecutive' model, a teacher first obtains a qualification (often a first university degree), and then studies for a further period to gain an additional qualification in teaching; (in some systems this takes the form of a post-graduate degree, possibly even a Masters).
The alternative is where a student simultaneously studies both an academic subject and the ways of teaching that subject, leading to a qualification as a teacher of that subject.
Other pathways are also available. In some countries, it is possible for a person to receive training as a teacher under the responsibility of an accredited experienced practitioner in a school.
Teacher Education in many countries takes place in Higher Education.
Curricula
The question of what knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and skills teachers should possess is the subject of much debate in many cultures. This is understandable, as teachers are entrusted with the transmission to children of society's beliefs, attitudes and deontology, as well as of information, advice and wisdom.
Generally, Teacher Education curricula can be broken down into these blocks:
- foundational knowledge and skills—usually this area is about teaching, learning, students' development, motivation, and assessment of learning
- knowledge and skills concerned with the subject taught—often also including ways of teaching a specific subject, in which case this area may overlap with the first ("foundational") area
- practice at classroom teaching or at some other form of educational practice—usually supervised and supported in some way, though not always.
Quality Assurance
See also
Credits
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