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

2. 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
HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

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

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

5. HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.
(Adapted from Prof. S. Caruana, Faculty of Education Presentation, 2016)
HOPE Annual Forum ConstanŢa, 7-10 September 2016

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

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