"The education secretary is expected to unveil reforms to the BEd and the PGCE as he looks for greater efficiencies in how entrants join the profession and moves training away from universities."As a B.Ed. student this worries me. I know that I will start learning in an entirely new way once I have my own class, not only for probation but for the rest of my teaching career. I will always need to develop professionally and will always strive to provide the best learning experiences for the pupils I will work with.
There are times when I moan about university work and I make no apology for this. Moaning is quite natural. Yet, I know that the work I am doing for the B.Ed. course has given, and will continue to give, me a solid grounding in educational theory. Without the intensive examination of the curriculum, planning, professional reflection, subject matters and the invaluable support from experienced educational professionals in the form of our lecturers, I would worry that I would never be able to balance this development in order to provide depth in learning for my pupils.
We have placements interspersed to develop us as teachers but also to support the work we have been doing at university. There are stages in becoming a teacher and university is a stage that I believe in. So, yes school experience is essential but let's not forget the importance of all the other aspects of Initial Teacher Training that, in reality, would be impossible to fit in during school time.
I completely agree! Although,in my opinion, teacher training is non-existent. You cannot train to be a professional in education, but educated in curricular areas, pedagogy, educational values, purposes and the curriculum (and all that is involved within these) - vital components, when combined with school experience, culminate in the development of a well-rounded professional, educator, carer and citizen.
ReplyDeleteI would not change my BEd at all, no PGDE or a graduate teacher programme could ever compete. But recommendations of the Donaldson Review of Teacher Education in Scotland, like 3 year BEds with a 2 year probation etc. are in my opinion, smart recommendations.
But Initial Teacher Education (ITE) needs to be taken very seriously, and the academic components need to remain integral to teacher education, initially and throughout continuing professional development.
We can only wait and see what will happen with teacher education in the future, in Scotland, drastic change is coming. We can only hope recommendations from the Donaldson Review and action on behalf of the Scottish Government reflect the best interests of the children in our care; the views, opinions and values of teachers and educationalists in Scotland; but also the views, perceptions and needs of the communities that we serve.