RATIONALE
To become a teacher you need to supplement
your subject knowledge with professional knowledge about
learning and teaching and to develop your professional
judgement. Capel et al (1995, p.6)
This is indeed
true since an individual’s thorough knowledge of
his subject does not necessarily make him an effective
teacher. Effective teaching requires the teacher to find
strategies appropriate for the age and ability of students.
Teachers need to be aware of the characteristics of the
students they teach as well as a variety of teaching methods
that can be applied to any classroom situation.
The Education
Department enables student teachers to develop their philosophy
of education through exposure to issues in education,
studies in child development and teaching methods and
exposure to micro-teaching. Professional training is further
enhanced by courses that focus on personal and professional
development. Specialist courses cater for trainees at
the early childhood, primary and secondary levels
CORE
COURSES
EDU
101 Teaching Methods I
EDU 102 Teaching Methods II
EDU 103 Child Development
EDU 104 Introduction to Curriculum
EDU 105 Personal and Professional
Development
EDU 106 Practicum I
EDU 107 Education and Society
EDU 201 Health and Family Life Education
EDU 202 Philosophical and Socially Sensitive Issues
EDU 203 Classroom Testing, Measurement
and Research
EDU 204 Psychology of Learning and
Teaching
EDU 205 Practicum II
EDU 301 Education Administration
SPECIALIST
COURSES
Early Childhood Courses
EDU 111 Child Development
for Early Childhood Teachers
EDU 112 Methodology for the Early Childhood Teachers
EDU 211 Curriculum Studies for Early Childhood Teachers
EDU 212 Psychology and Learning for Early Childhood Teachers
Primary Courses
EDU 131 Child Development
for Primary Teachers
EDU 132 Classroom Practice for Primary Teachers
EDU 231 Curriculum Studies for Primary Teachers
EDU 232 Psychology and Learning for Primary Teachers
Secondary Academic and Pre-Vocational Course
EDU 191 Methodology
for Secondary Teachers.
EDU 192 Adolescent Psychology
EDU 193 Special Educational Needs for Secondary Teachers
I
EDU 293 Special Educational Needs for Secondary Teachers
II
Education
Options
From
September 2003 the Education Department is offering a
major option in Special Educational Needs for Primary
and Early Childhood students. There is also a minor option
for Secondary Academic and Pre-Vocational students.
Early
Childhood Special Educational Needs Major Option
EDU 213 Special
Educational Needs for Early Childhood Teachers I
EDU 313 Special Educational Needs for Early Childhood
Teachers II
Primary
Special Educational Needs Major Option
EDU 233 Special
Educational Needs for Primary Teachers I
EDU 333 Special Educational Needs for Primary Teachers
II
Course Descriptions
EDU
101 Title: Teaching Methods I
30
hrs 2 credits
Year 1 Semester 1
RATIONALE
It is essential
that student teachers clearly understand the educational
practices that contribute to desirable learning. This will
help them to develop their proficiency in the use of a wide
repertoire of teaching skills and enable them to facilitate
learning in the various learning situations that they will
encounter.
AIMS/GENERAL OBJECTIVES
· To
introduce student teachers to skills and techniques which
are essential for successful teaching.
· To familiarize student teachers to the conditions,
climate and ways which promote successful student learning.
· To develop an understanding of the nature of
teaching and learning in the classroom.
EDU 102 Title:
Teaching Methods II
30 hrs 2 credits
Year 1 Semester
RATIONALE
The government of Guyana aims to provide quality education
in all of the ten Administrative Regions. Teacher competence
is therefore of critical importance. Hence, this course
attempts to expose trainee teachers to a variety of pedagogical
principles and practice associated with effective planning,
organizing and managing the classroom.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
To expose trainee teachers to a variety of techniques
necessary for effective teaching.
· To enable trainees to use the knowledge and skills
gained when planning lessons and organizing and managing
the learning environment.
PRE-REQUISITES:
Successful completion of Teaching Methods I.
EDU
103 Title: Child Development
30
Hours
Year 1 Semester 1
RATIONALE
It has been
said that a teacher has not taught unless the children
have learnt. It follows therefore, that the nature if
the learners has to be taken into consideration in any
curriculum planning session if that session is to have
any practical success. Understanding of children is therefore
important for any teaching instruction.
AIMS/GENERAL OBJECTIVES
· To
promote understanding of the children and the way they
learn.
· To enable trainee teachers to choose the best
possible methods of teaching for the particular needs
of the children they teach.
EDU
104 Title: Introduction to Curriculum
45 hrs 3 credits
Year 1 Semester 1
RATIONALE
Educators are
aware that without planning, disorder will characterize
curriculum activity. If teaching must be successful, a
master plan should be formulated. Within each classroom
teachers need to decide on and establish what they want
their pupils to plan effectively for their classrooms
and to manage curriculum.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
· To
provide student teachers with an understanding of the
basic principles and stages of the curriculum development
process.
· To equip student teachers with knowledge and
skills they can successfully use in the classroom situation.
· To help student teachers to critically examine
the various interpretations of curriculum.
EDU
105 Title: Personal and Professional Development
30 hrs 2 credits
Year 1 Semester 2
RATIONALE
In
today’s society, teachers represent one of the major
educational elements of an always-growing population.
To teach and educate pupils and youths, teachers must
gain a wide knowledge, learn and apply teaching methods
and techniques and also, they must be able to use their
own personalities, values, attitudes and beliefs to educate
through role modeling. Therefore, the demands of the teacher’s
role are multi-purpose and as a result he/ she must possess
great knowledge, good social and interactive skills and
strong personal and moral values.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
Enable student teachers to understand the ethical and
professional issues, attitudes and behaviours of their
profession.
· Encourage student teachers to ensure that these
notions are internalized, adopted and converted into a
personal set of actions and intentions that can be consciously
put into practice.
EDU 106
Title: Practicum I
30 hrs 2 credits
Year 1 Semester 2
RATIONALE
The young
teacher who enters the classroom for the first time will
be exposed to many facets of the job apart from actual
teaching. The teacher has to be able to mark registers,
write journals, calculate ages in years and months dress
appropriately and act in accordance with standards expected
of a teacher. This course seeks to introduce student teachers
to a variety of skills needed as well as aquaint them
with the various codes and regulations which govern teaching.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
Develop basic literacy and numeracy skills
Appreciate the need for teachers to conduct themselves
in a manner befitting the profession.
EDU 201 Title: Health and Family
Life Education
30 hrs 2 credits
Year 2 Semester 2
RATIONALE
Over
the years many problems have been confronting the education
system of Guyana. These problems have not only been blocking
learners from maximizing their potential for learning
and positive development, they have also been influencing
their health and life opportunities. More importantly,
learners have become increasingly vulnerable to “new”
threats to their health, development and total well-being.
This course seeks therefore, to present the participants
with a positive perspective of health as a resource for
living and to provide them with strategies which can be
used to address the diverse problems that can result from
inappropriate choices.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
To help student teachers to critically analyse the factors
influencing their health, make informed decisions to promote
their health and to acquire and practice specific health
skills to support their decisions.
· To provide student teachers with information
that will encourage and enable them to develop positive
values and skills in relating to their own environment.
· To make student teachers knowledgeable about
the main health problems, risks and issues associated
with human sexuality.
· To help student teachers to become committed
to taking specific action to effect qualitative changes
in their personal eating and fitness patterns.
· To help student teachers to demonstrate in their
relationships behaviours that reflects the importance
of developing effective self-concept and social relationships.
EDU
203 Title: Classroom Testing, Measurement and Research
45 hrs 3 credits
Year 2 Semester 2
RATIONALE
Student
teachers need to understand that the assessment process
is not simply that of ranking pupils at the end of the
year, but rather it is an essential element in the teaching
process and one which can be very useful in guiding classroom
teaching. This course seeks to introduce student teachers
to knowledge that will equip them to develop and use assessment
instruments which accurately, carefully and thoroughly
assess the learning process, help teaching effectiveness
and contribute to the academic and psychological growth
of pupils.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
To help student teacher to understand that accurate information
is crucial for sound decision making.
· To help student teachers to understand their
responsibilities for gathering accurate information.
· To equip student teachers with the understanding
and skills needed to assess and improve pupils’
learning and teacher effectiveness.
EDU
204 Title: Psychology of Learning and Teaching
45 hrs 3 credits
Year 2 Semester 2
RATIONALE
In
the teaching and learning situation, both the teacher
and the learner are faced with problems and difficulties
which can affect their performance. However, the competence
and professionalism of the teacher can have a positive
influence on the interest and social development of the
learner. This course seeks to assist the student teacher
to be prepared, to be competent, and to be confident in
his efforts to provide the learner with learning experiences
and to create an environment to which the learner can
react positively.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
To guide student teachers into critically constructing
and evaluating their outlooks regarding the nature of
the learning process.
· To help student teachers to know the factors
that contribute to the process of learning.
· To provide student teachers with a comprehensive
picture of modern learning theories and to help them to
understand the basic concepts, similarities and differences
of important contemporary theories.
EDU
205 Title: Practicum II
30 hrs 2 credits
Year 2 Semester 2
RATIONALE
The young
teacher who enters the classroom for the first time will
experience many difficulties. First of all, there is the
need to be adjusted to the school system. Then, there
is the problem of writing schemes of work and planning
of lessons. In addition, the young teacher is expected
to produce effective and a satisfactory standard of classroom
management. Such a person must therefore be well equipped
to do a good job as a teacher.
This module is designed to assist the trainee teacher
to deal with classroom difficulties with which he/ she
may be confronted.
AIMS/GENERAL
OBJECTIVES
·
Develop an understanding of mechanisms that may enable
them to be prepared for their job as teachers.
· Demonstrate a satisfactory standard of professionalism.
· Inculcate attitudes that will lend to effective
classroom learning.
