Raymond Lewis (raylewis@sp.edu.sg)
Thu, 5 Aug 1999 15:04:47 +0800
From: "Raymond Lewis" <raylewis@sp.edu.sg> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 15:04:47 +0800 Subject: Teacher Training in the 21st C
Hello fellow IFETs colleagues. I have been following with interest the
thread of the discussion about the way teacher training might go in the
next millennium. Here are some of my thoughts and hopes for the future.
Transforming Education and Training
?You cannot talk about the ocean to a well frog, a creature of another
world.?
Chinese Proverb
Are we serious about improving education and training in the twenty first
century. The solution offered by Stephen recently has in my view the
backing of practitioners that have really thought about the ideal teaching
and learning (?dysgu? in Welsh) scenario. I would challenge all of the
IFETS contributors to sit in a quiet place and close their eyes and create
their own vision of the ideal teaching and learning scenario. Perhaps you
might think of it as a wish list.
Three might be an appropriate number
·
·
·
Stephens? solution:
1) Reduce the average class size to 12-15 students.
2) Focus the curriculum: Don't ask a teacher to teach 4 or 5 different
levels/subjects. Two or maybe 3 at the most.
3) 4 hours of teaching time a day. The rest for R and D.
4) Maximum committee membership allowed: 1. Volunteer for any others.
5) Double the number of observations: Usually 3 or 4 a year. Make it 8
at least.
6) Teachers who don't want to be observed should find something else to do.
7) Pay teachers well enough to attract good students to schools of
education.
8) Get rid of the agricultural school calendar.
I would add three more;
9) Preparation, the better the preparation for any task, the greater the
chance of
successfully completing it.
10) Presentation, knowing your subject well and being able to be
systematic and
structured yet able to respond intuitively to the needs of your
students is essential.
11) Personality, Enthusiasm is infectious. Be natural and be yourself.
Where does the use of new technology enter the equation. I would suggest
when we all have free access to wireless note pads that help us to share
ideas with anyone in the world. When I leave Singapore at the end of this
year I will maintain my links with many friends and colleagues that I have
had the pleasure to work with.
Ray Lewis
Education and Staff Development Department
Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore
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