Newly Qualified Teachers’ Reflections on the Quality of Initial Teacher Education in the Republic of Ireland

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 405-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Kozina
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
Michael Nally ◽  
Brian Ladden

AbstractThe Irish Teaching Council introduced a new model of school-based and National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) called Droichead (meaning ‘bridge’ in Gaelic) in 2013/14. The Droichead process is an integrated professional induction framework for newly qualified teachers. It was designed to provide whole-school support for teacher induction in both primary and post-primary schools. This study explores the implementation of Droichead in a post-primary school, and to gain insights as to its effectiveness and the potential to bring about improvements.The study found that NQTs are un-prepared to assume full teaching duties after initial teacher education (ITE), and can benefit greatly from having mentors from within the school to guide them through their first year of teaching. The benefits of the process include emotional support for NQTs, practical help in terms of learning new teaching strategies, the promotion of reflective practice and assisting the professional development of teachers. Droichead was found to promote peer observation and can help leaders change the culture of an organisation to better embrace and support peer observation and review. The programme also promoted and developed leadership skills among the mentors, who cited a renewed enthusiasm for teaching from their involvement in Droichead. There were conflicting views on the involvement of the senior leadership team in the programme, and it would seem that the success of their inclusion depends largely on the individual style of leadership. The negative aspects of the Droichead process related to the ‘Cluster meetings’which are compulsory for NQTs and were seen as being too similar to their initial teacher education.


Author(s):  
Serafim Florea ◽  

There are over 300 high schools in the Republic of Moldova, most of which do not have 10-12th parallel classes, many of which also lead to the lack of qualified teachers in some subjects, which has a negative impact on the quality of students education. The optimization of the high school network can be achieved by keeping only about 100 of their existing number, planning them in new type institutions: district high-schools, boarding schools and mixed high schools of both these categories.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Robson ◽  
Peter Mtika

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on a partnership-based mentoring model and the learning experiences of participant mentees and mentors. As part of the project, newly qualified teachers (NQTs) were supported to develop and implement a practitioner enquiry (teacher/action research) in a learning community involving two local authorities and an initial teacher education institution. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were collected from five semi-structured focus group interviews with key participant groupings to uncover perceptions and experiences of the partnership and professional learning therein. Analysis using an inductive and iterative approach pinpointed a number of emerging themes used to frame key elements of the findings. Findings Findings suggested that the partnership-based model promoted the professional learning and development of NQTs and their mentors in various ways. The nature and shape of the partnership had an influence on the quality of mentoring and support experienced. The community effectively supported the implementation of meaningful enquiry projects, which had clear connections to the enhancement of professional practice and pupil learning. However, specific tensions and conflicts emerged as hindrances to successful partnership-based mentoring in the specific context. Originality/value New insights into the role of a partnership-based mentoring scheme supporting practitioner enquiry-based learning of NQTs emerged. The local, layered community defining the partnership, and operating within the frame of a national induction scheme, was analysed. Benefits for partners were identified and specific challenges and tensions highlighted, both providing new evidence with potential to impact policy and practice. Policy developments supporting teachers to be mentors and enquiring professionals need to recognise the structural and support tensions that exist in contextual practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Pedro ◽  
João Piedade ◽  
João Filipe Matos ◽  
Neuza Pedro

PurposeThe construction of learning scenarios is a way to plan for teaching activities, promoting the development of skills related to problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Using learning scenarios as a lesson planning strategy becomes a powerful tool in initial teacher education. On the one hand, it mobilizes teaching-related scientific concepts, and on the other hand, it offers opportunities to think on innovative pedagogic approaches involving strategies and capacities essential for the future teacher. Research shows that teacher education programs within real school contexts enriched with digital technologies represent an important factor in increasing the quality of teachers’ preparation and their future professional practice. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present the analysis of practice of design and implementation of learning scenarios in teachers’ initial education courses developed with students of teaching master degrees. Activity theory is used in the analysis of a case study of a student-teacher in Computer Science.FindingsThe results have been analyzed, contributing to the specification of the principles underlying the learning scenarios in initial teacher education.Research limitations/implicationsResults show the affordances and possibilities of using learning scenarios as structuring resources for the initial teacher education practice.Originality/valueTherefore, the use of learning scenarios brings a set of potentialities to teacher training given its prospective nature.


2011 ◽  
pp. 2130-2137
Author(s):  
Victor McNair ◽  
Kevin Marshall

This chapter reports on a pilot study which examined how student teachers of a one-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education course in Northern Ireland developed reflective ePortfolios and then used them to embed ICT in their first (Induction) year as qualified teachers. Two central themes emerged. First, the process of constructing the ePortfolio developed confidence among the beginning teachers which supported them when faced with the challenges of starting teaching. Second, the ePortfolio was used to ease the transition from Initial Teacher Education to Induction, but where there is a lack of critical reflection, barriers to professional development can emerge. These issues are discussed within the context of technology policy, teacher training, and emerging technology in Northern Ireland.


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