Teaching Practice Curriculum in Teacher Education: a proposed outline

Abstract

Summary The paper addresses the problem of effectively interweaving theory and practice in the preservice teacher education. It proposes the teaching practicum as a means par excellence for the formation of the reflective teacher. Based on current international research, and keeping in mind the Greek situation, it proposes a curriculum of developing observation skills, of actual student teaching, of experimentation by action‐research, of use of simulation technologies and of development of students’ ability for critical analysis and evaluation of the educative situations. At the same time the theoretical aspects of issues related to the practicum are tackled in campus‐based seminars. It advocates the use of specially prepared ‘clinical schools’, the technologically advanced pedagogical laboratory and the team approach for guidance and supervision. Finally, the outline of the actual schedule for the four semesters in which the practicum takes place and the brief description of activities concludes the prop...