Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation –Islamic Teacher Education Course

Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation –Islamic Teacher Education Course
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
“Seek Knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave” – Tirmidhi
In the light of this command we as teachers cannot underestimate the importance
of continuous professional development. Despite the commendable efforts of the
Muslim community to establish Muslim schools there remains a great deal in the
quality of educational provision which must be improved if we are to offer for our
children what they are entitled to. Perhaps the most worrying and yet the most
easily corrected is the need for our Muslim teachers to understand the Islamic
perspective on a range of contemporary educational issues. Islam provides us a
clear articulation of the possible contribution that education can make to an
active theory of social change which focuses on economic, cultural, intellectual,
spiritual, emotional, moral as well as the physical development of individuals whilst
ensuring that the outcome for the society remains uppermost in the hearts and
minds of the believing educator. We as educationalists are failing our first duty if we
do not have some understanding of these whilst we embark on the most
challenging task of educating the next generation of Muslim children.
To meet this need, and drawing upon the experience of six years of annual teacher
training sessions, Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation is offering a one year Teacher
Education Course within the framework of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The course is
designed to offer personal and professional support for Muslim teachers and
Educationalists in their continuous professional development. The course is based
on the ‘Shakhsiyah Framework’.
We believe that this fresh approach to teacher education with a distinctly Islamic
perspective is unique and the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation is proud to be
presenting such a pioneering initiative in this country.
The course is open to all teachers and educators and is particularly relevant to
those working in Muslim schools. The first year of this course will run between August
2008 and June 2009 at ISF London Branch. Certificates of Course Completion will be
issued by the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation in association with the International
Board for Educational Research and Resources (IBERR). There are a maximum of 15
places available.
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Aims of the Course
1. To develop teachers/educators who are motivated, knowledgeable and
skilled in delivering education catering for the needs of Muslims in the 21 st
Century.
2. To develop an understanding of the aims and objectives of education from
an Islamic perspective.
3. To develop an understanding of Islamic concepts related to education.
4. To develop an understanding of the similarities and differences between
Islamic and other educational theories, concepts and perspectives.
5. To develop an understanding of the responsibilities of the Muslim teacher as
a role-model.
6. To develop a better understanding of the role and responsibility of an
educator within a culturally plural community and a multi-faith society.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
1. Reflect on their practice and that of others from an Islamic perspective.
2. Design and deliver educational activities, ‘lessons’ and courses from an
Islamic perspective.
3. Actively assist in reviewing curriculum/course content and develop all
aspects of educational provision with Islamic perspectives.
4. Review, monitor and evaluate teaching strategies and offer advice on how
best to develop them in line with Islamic perspectives.
5. Use course knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of Muslim
schools and other community educational projects.
Course Structure
The Course will consist of:
Two modules consisting of 5 Units each. Each Unit will be delivered through a
One Day Seminar.
Module 1: Theories, concepts and perspectives of Islamic Education
Module 2: Practical Strategies - Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment
A 3000 word Essay on one Module 1 course unit of the attendee’s choice –
Deadline: 4 th October 2008
A 3000 word Module 2 project demonstrating implementation of skills and
concepts learnt - Deadline: 28 th March 2008
Teaching Observation – Attendees will be observed in their teaching
environment between January and June 2009. They will be expected to
demonstrate implementation of Islamic values and practice in their teaching
Required Reading – Attendees will be expected to do a certain amount of
minimum reading. Other titles will also be recommended.
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Course Dates: [10 One Day Seminars 9.00am to 5.00pm]
Module 1: Theories, concepts Module 2: Practical Strategies - and
perspectives of Islamic Education Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment
Monday 18 th August 2008 Saturday 1 st November 2008
Tuesday 19 th August 2008 Saturday 3 rd January 2009
Wednesday 20 th August 2008 Saturday 31 st January 2009
Thursday 21st August 2008 Saturday 28 th February 2009
Saturday 4 th October 2008 Saturday 28 th March 2009
Assessment
Written tasks will be assessed on a scale of pass, merit or excellent. The assignments
produced will be moderated and graded by the Course Managers and the
certificate of attendance will indicate the level achieved. No attendee will be
allowed to ‘fail’ the assignment as individualised help and support from a
designated tutor will be on offer until the assignment is deemed to have reached
at least the pass level. The teaching observation will be assessed similarly.
All elements of the course will need to be completed to a satisfactory level for a
certificate to be issued.
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Course Content
Seminar 1 [18.08.08] –The Concept of Education in Islam
An introduction to the over all course. This seminar seeks to set a basis for the
course. Attendees will question deeply held assumptions about the concept of
education. Through dialogue and interactive sessions the group should devise a set
of conclusions. Evidences from Qur’an, Ahadith and learned Ulema will be used to
inform this dialogue.
The concept of ‘Education’ from a contemporary and Islamic perspective
Education for Muslims in Britain
The Qur’anic concept of Tawhid as the fundamental bedrock of the Islamic
view of Education
Secular challenges that face Islam and the world
Issues within Islam that need to be dealt with purposefully
Arab, Asian and African Cultures – Their impact on Islamic education
The relationship between the state and the function of the educational
system
Is Islamisation enough? What is ‘Education in the Islamic Spirit’?
Can there be co-operation between ‘Islamic’ and ‘Secular’ Education?
Seminar 2 [19.08.08] - Understanding the Learner from an Islamic Perspective
The Islamic perspective on child development and “Every Child Matters”–
The three 7 year stages in detail
Loving learning for the sake of Allah
Lifelong learning in practice
Seminar 3 [20.08.08] - Tarbiyah – Nurturing and Development
Child Centred Education and “Every Child Matters”– Allowing the fitrah to
flourish
Personalised learning and “Every Child Matters”– – the Islamic view of the
human being
Qualities of the Muslim Teacher and “Every Child Matters”– – heir to the
Prophets (as)
Education as a process of osmosis
Imam al Ghazali’s views on tarbiyah
Akhlaq
The Nafs and purification
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Seminar 4 [21.08.08] - Ta’alim – Acquisition of Knowledge and Hikmah
Sources of Knowledge in Islam – Qur’an and Hadith, the material world
Hifz in the Internet age
Spiritual and moral development through ta’alim
Islamic concepts – Insan, Hayat, Deen, Qayyinaat, Aql, Qadaa wal Qadr –
Tawhid as a basis
Concept of Hikmah and wisdom
Seminar 5 [ 04.10.08] – Taadib – Outward behaviour and manners
The manifestation of ta’alim and tarbiyah
The manifestation of ‘a Nafs in sukoon’
Etiquette and manners
Du’a and ‘protocol’
Relationship with others - individuals, society, organisations, animals and
environment
Seminar 6 [01.11.08] –Shakhsiyah Islamiyah – Integrating Ta’alim, Tarbiyah and
Taadib
Holistic Education and the development of the individual
Defining and understanding Shakhsiyah Islamiyah as the goal of education
Practical strategies for Tarbiyah, Ta’alim and Taadib
Teacher – Learner relationship, the need for human-scale education
Shakhsiyah in the context of contemporary society
Seminar 7 [03.01.09] – Halaqah
The Halaqah as a historical model, from Dar al Arqam to the 21 st Century
Oral Teaching to develop Shakhsiyah – incorporating tarbiyah, ta’alim and
taadib
The spiritual element
Thinking skills, Dialogic and questioning techniques
Self-reflection and ‘intuition’
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Seminar 8 [31.01.09] - Holistic Integrated Curriculum – Theory and Practice
Thematic Planning and Holistic Learning
Learning for Life [This life and the next]
Education from a global perspective – universal approach
Islamic and World History
Skills based and understanding driven
Seminar 9 [28.02.09] - Integrating Arabic – More on Integrated Curriculum
Qur’anic Arabic as the language of Islam
The importance of tajweed and hifz
The Qur’an as the Primary sourcebook for Curriculum development
Language as a tool of learning
Celebrating multilingualism
Arabic and Thematic planning
Seminar 10 [28.03.09] - Assessment for the Learner
Celebrating the learner’s work
What is the purpose of assessment in Islamic Education?
How can this goal be achieved?
Trusting the teacher and Narrative evaluation
Record keeping and target setting for personalised learning
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