EDDi XLV
Teacher Training in Tough Times
Dear subscribers
How about this for an opening line:
I don’t feel like a ‘real teacher’.
Yes, we know. It grabbed our attention too.
It was the sentiment shared by a contributor to this week’s ‘Training in Tough Times’ Special.
The same writer went onto note that:
“I lack the experience to know what it’s like when schools are ‘normal’ as opposed to the ‘new normal’”.
For this trainee, her experiences of school were almost entirely offline - from behind a screen and, when lucky to be in a school, from behind a mask. Far removed from the ‘normal’ routines and rhythms most of us are used to and trained for.
From the submissions received, we’ve selected a representative spread. Capturing the thoughts, feelings, musings and authentic voices of trainee teachers who have lived through these tough times, we have contributions from the UK, China, Thailand, and the Netherlands:
Rachael Cooper: I didn’t think it would be like this.
Anne Leonard: PGCiE Action Research in Quarantine: Building Student (and Teacher!) Confidence Through Online Writing Workshop
There are also pieces from two training providers:
Rebecca Sherratt: Teacher Training in Tough Times: A PGCE Course Leader’s Experience
Dr. Shannon Bruce Ramaka: Mission Impossible-Coordinating Teaching Practices During COVID-19
Highlighting the effects of Covid across the educational industry, accompanying these is a piece giving the perspective of an educational publisher:
Samantha Radovich: Learning and Development: Reflections from a Publisher’s Perspective
And finally, there is a fascinating piece looking at how a Theatre Studies teacher in Armenia retrained himself and his students to deliver virtual performances.
Jason Lasky: Virtual Realities: When IB Theatre Evolved in Isolation
Also a voice over artist, Jason has kindly narrated a sample of ‘International Schooling: The Teacher’s Guide’ (4 mins). You can listen here:
For anyone interested, Jason is available for Voice Over work and can be contacted here. And that link to the recording again (4 mins).
Finally, thank you to everyone who submitted pieces for this week’s special. Apologies that we couldn’t include them all. We hope that the attached links reflect the breadth of ‘tough times’ trainees (of all types) and those involved in educational training have had over the last 12 months
And, before you dive into the articles, don’t forget that if you’d like your voice to appear in EDDi, the last edition of this year will be a ‘What Next for International Education?’ special. More details below.
Happy reading (and listening)
EDDi
What Next For International Education?
We are looking for short snippets, quotes or extended musings (well, 500 word musings). You can choose to write about any topic you like and in any style. But, if you need some inspiration, we’d value your thoughts on:
In the immediate term, what might next year look like? Will learning continue to be on, off and blended?
What will the teacher recruitment situation look like?
Once countries are vaccinated, will the flood gates open with teachers rushing home (are we looking at year of broken contracts)?
What will happen to student numbers?
Will the market remain localised, overseas students either remaining locked-out of countries or reluctant to travel, preferring options closer to home?
Where will the growth markets be? Will there even be any growth markets?
What have we learnt or implemented over the last 12 months that education should keep?
We’d love to share the EDDi readerships view of ‘what next?’
Have your say via the submission form here.
INTERESTED IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION?
The Teacher’s Guide is getting around!
Seen here up a cliff face in Thailand. When we said ‘a companion to your international adventure’ we didn’t quite mean literally!
Grab a copy to take on your own adventure or listen to a short sample here (4 mins).