pdf 4.2MB - ESCalate

DISCUSSIONS IN EDUCATION SERIESThis same principle has governed my own approachto the development of a strong and successfulprogramme of Initial Teacher Education.Excellence and social justice have been guiding lightsfor me in my journey from teacher educator toleader of a successful and influential team at theUniversity of Derby. Throughout, I have maintained acommitment to professional improvement whilst stillbeing true to the values which led me to join theprofession ten years ago. Importantly, as members ofthe Higher Education Academy (HEA) we have aduty to support each other in developing ourapproaches to teacher education. This duty exists at apersonal and institutional level. A commitment tosubject and professional bodies such as the HEA andthe Universities’ Council for the Education ofTeachers (UCET) should be central to our sense ofmutual support.The tone of the learning experience is as importantas the content. As teachers we model cognitivelearning strategies, social skills, emotional resilience inintellectual endeavour and social responsibility. That iswhy treating students with decency and humanityshould be central to how we approach teaching:‘Every time we learn something, we learnsomething about learning.’ (Claxton, 1990)My teaching approach is centred on self-regulatedlearning and understanding the power of learningstrategies. Reading about the possibility of teachinglearning strategies for self-regulated learning inPalinscar and Brown (1984) was an epiphany for me.Their work has become a theoretical driving force formy research and teaching. My own experience as ateacher suggested that learning (in schools and atuniversity) can be thrillingly engaging or passive andtedious. This was in part informed by my research toexplore the experience of learners in teachereducation:■ The assessment lives of student teachers.Teaching inspired research project, University ofDerby, 2006.■ The development of teacher reflection onplacement. ESCalate workshop, 2007.■ The power of the tutorial. Teaching inspiredresearch project, University of Derby, 2008.■ Professional resilience in student teachers.Research inspired curriculum grant project,University of Derby, 2009.When students pay higher fees to study, the qualityof their learning experience will be an even moresignificant factor in their choice of where to study.Research into learning and teaching in school anduniversities will provide the insight and foundationsupon which improvement and adaptation to changingcircumstances are built, for example by rationalisingthe student experience of assessment, more centredon and regulated by the student. The seminar is apowerful mediating tool for formative assessment14