PPQR THE ICELAND MALTA EXPERIENCE

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PPQRTHE ICELAND MALTA EXPERIENCE

• 31st August 2nd September 2006
• Iceland University of Education

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The participants

• Sólrún Björg Kristinsdóttir University of
  Education, Iceland
• Michelle Attard Tonna University of Malta

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Main issues of workshop

• Teacher Education and Training
• 1.1 Pre-service Education
• 1.2 In-service Education
• 1.3 Distance Education

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1.1 Pre-service Education in Malta

• The university of Malta has full responsibility
• Department of Primary Education offering
  specialisation in early and middle years
• A range of subject specialisation for the
  secondary sector
• Core areas and teaching practice in both options

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Pre-service education in Iceland

• Various institutions offer this initial training
  course
• Duration of five years
• Wide spectrum of subjects to choose from
• Early childhood is offered as one of the optional
  subjects

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Teaching practice

• In Malta student-teachers have full
  responsibility of class under their care
• In Iceland, teachers of the actual class are
  present to mentor the student-teachers
• Both countries allocate considerable importance
  to teaching practice

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A visit to Háteigsskóli school
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1.2 In-service Education

• In Iceland
• Related to teachers contract
• Professional development needs identified through
  appraisal interview
• In-service policy for each school

• In Malta
• Compulsory by collective agreement
• Three working days each scholastic year
• A large number of teachers trained at the same
  time
• Increasing number of schools organising in-house
  courses

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In-service Education

• In Iceland
• Professional development of teacher must relate
  to school development policy
• Obligation of 150 hours of training annually
• Outsourcing provides schools with range of
  courses

• Various other training opportunities available
• Workshops, conferences and European programmes
• Main people responsible for setting up INSET are
  Education Officers employed with the Education
  Division

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1.3 Distance Education

• In Iceland, this has been going on for a number
  of years
• Very popular with students of a specific profile
• Range of courses available general education,
  preparation for academic studies, vocational
  education

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Distance Education

• Teachers specifically trained for distance
  education
• Mechanics of IT software
• Pedagogical issues
• Courses require students to sit for an exam

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Distance Education

• In Malta, an e-learning strategy and action plan
  on a nation-wide scale is being devised
• National programmes of teacher training in ICT
• A national effort to increase access to IT across
  all areas of society
• The Education Division does not offer distance
  learning

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Distance Education

• Distance learning is mostly sourced by foreign
  universities/institutions
• The courses offered lead to certificates,
  diplomas and degrees and many Maltese students
  choose to undertake this alternative
• Distant courses are evaluated and accredited by
  the Malta National Academic Recognition
  Information Centre (NARIC)