4

Peer Learning Activity

Practical Classroom Training within Initial Teacher Education

4–8 October 2009

Vilnius, Lithuania

Programme

The overall aim of the PLA is to explore and define the conditions for the successful organisation and implementation of policies on practical classroom training during initial Teacher Education, by analyzing policy examples from different countries and sharing points of view and approaches.

Sunday, October 4
Arriving in the afternoon. Registration.
18.00 / Meeting of the preparatory group. Atrium Hotel
19.00 – 20.00 / Welcome. Atrium Hotel
Monday, October 5
Location – Ministry of Education and Science, Volano 2/7, Kolegiju Hall
Day facilitator – Ursula Uzerli, Germany
Topic of the Day – Understanding what we mean by practical classroom training in initial teacher education
08.50 / Meet in Hotel Lobby for short walk to Ministry
09.00 – 09.50 / Plenary session
Welcoming speeches
Representatives of Lithuanian Parliament, Ministry of Education and Science
Introduction to Peer Learning and EU policy on Teacher Education
Paul Holdsworth, European Commission
09.50 – 10.20 / Small group discussions: participants’ expectations
10.20 – 10.40 / Group work presentations
10.40 – 11.20 / Plenary presentation
Practical classroom training in Lithuanian secondary schools: models, changes, innovations
Prof. Marija Barkauskaite, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Lithuania
Prof. Elvyra Peciuliauskiene, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Lithuania
Questions & answers
11.20 – 12.20
(coffee is served in the rooms) / Small group discussion:
“Good classroom practice” What does it mean and how can it be measured?
12.20 – 13.50 / Lunch (restaurant Aula, Pilies str. 11)
13.50 – 14.30 / Group work presentations
14.30 – 15.10 / Plenary – policy example 1
Teaching competencies (UK)
15.10 – 15.50 / Plenary – policy example 2
Acquisition of classroom competencies during intensive practice in schools (DK)
15.50 – 16.50
(coffee is served in the rooms) / Small group work:
Structured discussions on these two policy examples.
How do we understand nature and overall aim of practical classroom training?
16.50 – 17.40 / Group work reports:
Nature, aims and objectives of practical classroom training; the policy issues it raises
Comments of day rapporteur
Feedback on Day 1 and expectations for tomorrow
17.40 – 18.10 / Meeting of preparatory (organizers) group
19.00 / Reception (café at Universiteto str. 7/9)
Tuesday, October 6
Location – Ministry of Education and Science, Volano 2/7, Kolegiju Hall
Day facilitator – Csilla Stéger, Hungary
Topic of the Day: Policy approaches and key actors
09.00 – 09.30 / Plenary – policy example 3
System of training lower secondary school teachers (BE)
09.30 – 10.00 / Plenary – policy example 4
Classroom practice in the new MA in teaching (HU)
10.00 – 10.40
(coffee is served in the rooms) / Small group work:
Structured discussions on these two policy examples– how do they reflect issues raised yesterday and what new approaches do they bring?
10.40 – 11.20 / Feedback from groups work:
What we have learned?
What issues do we need to explore with the actors?
11.20 – 11.40
11.40 – 12.00 / Input from student teachers:
Student teachers’ reflections on practice in school: international project example
Daiva Penkauskiene, Modern Didactics Center
Input from beginning teachers:
Reflection on first years of working in school
Dalia Milasiute-Tumanoviene, Vilnius Gabija gymnasium
Roman Voronovich, Vilnius Šolom Aleichem secondary school
12.00 – 12.45 / Small group work. Structured discussion of the actors’ inputs:
What are the policy issues and challenges highlighted by student teachers and beginning teachers?
12.45 – 14.00 / Lunch (restaurant Aula, Pilies str. 11)
14.00 – 14.20 / Feedback from group work:
What more have we learned about the policy issues raised by classroom practice?
14.20 – 14.50 / Input from college teachers:
Student teachers’ professional competencies in school; international experience
Dr. Vitalija Graziene, teacher of Vilnius college
14.50 – 15.20 / Input from university teachers (tutors):
Student teachers’ preparation for classroom practice; professional competencies (in terms of knowledge, skills, approaches)
Vilma Leonaviciene, Vilnius Pedagogical University
15.20 – 16.20 (coffee is served in the rooms) / Small group work:
Structured discussions on the input of teacher educators
16.20 – 17.10 / Group work reports:
What do different actors tell us about the issues for policymakers concerning teaching practice?
How have we deepened our understanding of the aims and objectives of practical classroom training?
Comments of day rapporteur
Small discussions and clarifications concerning tomorrow’s visit to school
Feedback on Day 2 and expectations for tomorrow
17.10 – 17.30 / Meeting of preparatory (organizers) group
19.00 / Free evening
Wednesday, October 7
Locations: Vilnius Simonas Daukantas gymnasium, Jasinskio 11
Ministry of Education and Science, Volano 2/7, Kolegiju Hall
Day facilitator – Liesbeth Hens, Belgium
Topic of the Day – Practicing teaching and teaching practice: one school example
08.50 / Leaving to Vilnius Simonas Daukantas school
09.30 – 13.00 / Visit to Vilnius Simonas Daukantas school (so called “University school”).
Short presentation of the school.
10.00 – 12.30
(coffee is served in the rooms) / Structured discussion on the following topics:
What does it mean to be “University school”?
What are relations between the Vilnius Pedagogical University and the school in the preparation of future teachers and their further professional development?
Jolanta Knyviene, school principal
University teachers working as school teachers (part time)
What about students’ readiness for teacher’s profession: what does our school practice say?
Nida Kazemiakaite, school and university teacher
experienced teachers-mentors
Our understanding of a good teacher: how do we see it?
Representatives of school board (pupils, teachers and parents)
12.30 / Leaving for the Lunch
13.00 – 14.30 / Lunch (restaurant Aula, Pilies str. 11)
14.30 – 16.00 / Feedback from school visit:
What we have seen heard and learned at the school?
How does this correspond to the previously discussed issues and policy examples?
Start to identify the main lessons from the PLA
16.00 – 16.30
(coffee is served in the rooms) / Comments of day rapporteur
Feedback on Day 3 and expectations for tomorrow
16.30 – 18.30 / Meeting of preparatory (organizers) group
17.00 – 18.30 / Guided tour in old city (optionally, according request)
19.00 / Dinner (restaurant “La Boheme”, Sv. Ignoto str.4/3)
Thursday, October 8
Location – Ministry of Education and Science, Volano 2/7, Kolegiju Hall
Topic of the Day – Conclusions of the PLA; recommendations for participating countries
09.00 – 10.30 / Plenary
Presentation and discussion of main policy conclusions
10.30 – 11.15
(coffee is served in the rooms) / Small group work (national pairs)
Prepare comments and advice on host country’s policies for classroom practice in initial Teacher Education
What will I report back? What actions could be taken in my country to improve policy on practical classroom training?
11.15 – 12.30 / Plenary
Brief report back on what we are taking back to our countries
Feedback to hosts on their policies
Final words
12.30 – 13.30 / Lunch (restaurant Aula, Pilies str. 11)
13.30 / Departure