Can teachers and teaching change for the better? Joan Borg Marks University of Malta HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Plan A few general ideas about the education in Malta The University of Malta Past initial teacher education in Malta The new route for initial teacher education starting as from 2016-2017 HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

About malta HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Republic of Malta consists of 3 islands Malta, Gozo and Commino. HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

General ideas About the Education in Malta – A personal view School management, teachers and parents aim at having students/children achieve academically Schools (practitioners) and the University (researchers) strive to bring best practice into the classroom Parents try to support their children’s learning with private lessons (Some) teachers do sometimes teach to the test HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

The University of Malta HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Some Historical developments regarding the University of Malta The University of Malta traces back its origins to the Jesuit’s Collegium Melitense founded in 1592 This became a public University in 1768 The Faculty of Science was established in 1915 The Faculty of Education was founded in 1978 HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Past Initial teacher education (ITE) in malta (1) – routes towards becoming a teacher Finishing a 4-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.) course Having some degree in the topic to be taught and getting a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Having been awarded a teachers’ warrant) HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Past ITE in Malta (2) – Course credits To become a secondary school Physics teacher one had to follow a 4-year course offered by the Faculty of Education. (Private communication Dr. C. Bonello) Physics education – physics content and pedagogy Dr C Bonello: Head of Dept Mathematics and Science Education HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Past ite in Malta (3) – The Physics content Year 1: Mechanics and matter (4), mathematics for physicists (2), electricity and magnetism (5), waves and optics (5), thermodynamics (4), physics practical-1 (4): 24 ECTS IN TOTAL Year 2: Introduction to earth systems (6); the science of life (6), thermodynamics and kinetic theory (4), waves and quantum mechanics (4), Geophysics (4), quantum mechanics (2) OR classic and relativistic mechanics (4), Mathematics for physicists (2), physics practical-2 (4): 32/34 ECTS IN TOTAL Year 3: No mention in the prospectus of any physics theme covered Year 4: The Earth and the Universe (4): 4 ECTS IN TOTAL (Private communication Dr. C. Bonello) HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Towards a change At faculty of education level 28 weeks for a PGCE course was too short; B.Ed. students were dwindling in number; Employability HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Questions needed to be Addressed In which areas are teachers needed? Is teaching an attractive career in Malta today? Who is being drawn towards the profession? Is the ITE addressing a national changing educational scenario? Can teachers and teaching change for the better? HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

The process leading to the change (1): Reflection Reflection led to the idea of ‘a principle driven change’: A move towards a more school-based model of ITE (a “new apprenticeship of observation” [Darling-Hammond, 2006:193]), including the introduction of school-based mentors in ITE, thus creating better partnerships with schools and stakeholders; The adoption of a consecutive model of ITE, leading to selection of suitable candidates and in which content (subject-matter) knowledge precedes pedagogical content knowledge. (Prof. S. Caruana, Faculty of Education Presentation, 2016) HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

The process leading to the change (2): The aims Attract and select suitable candidates into the teaching profession; Give them the right tools; Ensure that they stay competent throughout the course of their teaching career. Source: Musset, P. (2010), “Initial Teacher Education and Continuing Training Policies in a Comparative Perspective: Current Practices in OECD Countries and a Literature Review on Potential Effects”, OECD Education Working Papers, No. 48, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5kmbphh7s47h-en (Adapted from Prof. S. Caruana, Faculty of Education Presentation, 2016) HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

The process leading to the change (3): Further refinement of ideas Ongoing discussions with partners, namely: Ministry for Education & Employment; Church & Independent school representatives; The Malta Union of Teachers; The University; Other tertiary institutions in Malta Faculty members engaged in a process to design the various components of the new programme of studies HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

The Master in Teaching and Learning (MTL) The result A new programme of studies starting in October 2016 taking ITE to Master Level: The Master in Teaching and Learning (MTL) One of the requirements for interested candidates would be to first get a Physics Bachelor Degree or maybe some other degree which includes at least 70 ECTS in Physics. This degree will be followed up with a MTL course, over 2 years of study. HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Proposed MTL Course content (Prof. S. Caruana, Faculty of Education Presentation, 2016) HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

The MTL Curriculum Field Placement Subject Methodology Themes in Education & CPLE The Research Component Educational Context Knowledge (Prof. S. Caruana, Faculty of Education Presentation, 2016) HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Conclusion (1): the change A change taking ITE from Bachelor Level to Master Level Reflecting about problems in the past and needs of the present Collegiality in making decisions Emphasis on teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogy HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Conclusion (2): the future A brighter teaching profession? More motivated teachers? More motivated learners? We certainly hope to have teachers who are effective in what they are meant to do – teach. HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

Thank You HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016