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Changing Geography in the Republic of Ireland. Shelagh Waddington National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Outline. Introduction Teacher Education PDE to PME Junior Cycle JCSA. Teacher Education: the current programme. Professional Diploma in Education [PDE] One academic year
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Changing Geography in the Republic of Ireland Shelagh Waddington National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Outline • Introduction • Teacher Education • PDE to PME • Junior Cycle • JCSA
Teacher Education: the current programme Professional Diploma in Education [PDE] • One academic year • Level 8 course • two subjects involved. NUIM version • All year • two days in school – 8 periods per week • three days in NUIM • January • block teaching practice for three weeks – 20 periods per week .
The new programme Professional Masters in Education • Two years • Level 9 course • 120 credits Principles • reflective practice • developing pedagogical capabilities • preparation for lifelong learning
School placement • reflecting totality of school experience • 40 credits over two years • two different schools • single sex/ co-ed • urban/ rural • type of management • DEIS • Year 1 – 4 periods per week increasing to 8 • observation of teachers • experience of examination preparation for Junior Cycle • Year 2 – 8 periods per week increasing to 10 • focus on Senior Cycle – otherwise as year 1
Geography methods • Year 1 – similar to current programme • with focus on Junior Cycle • Year 2 - deepening experience • with more focus on Senior Cycle • Assessment rethink • must be level 9 standard • more substantial? • more?
The Junior Cycle: revision from 2011! Junior Cycle – ‘rebalancing’ of individual subjects • up-dating of content • reworking of aims and objectives • addition of learning outcomes • reduction of amount of material • what should be removed? • draft ‘rebalance’ completed 2008 but never officially released to community, so only speculation available about this.
‘The system isn’t working well – so hard choices have to be made’ • Almost no students leave school after the JC • so no longer a terminal examination • Many students ‘disengaged’ from learning, especially in 2nd and 3rd year • 3rd year focussed on ‘test’ so rote learning and practice questions are the focus so students become even more ‘disengaged’. • Little focus on key skills and on learning how to learn and on creativity.
So what changes are proposed for the Junior Cycle? – changes announced in 2012, implementation to begin in 2014 New JC curriculum focusing on: • Students making a greater connection with learning • Improving the quality of learning that takes place • Better literacy and numeracy outcomes and a strong profile for key skills • Launch of the Junior Cycle Student Award
What is this Junior Cycle Student Award [JCSA]? • Subjects will continue to play an important role in the JCSA and short courses will also be available. • Core [compulsory] will be English, Irish and Maths • Schools will plan their own curriculum • Short courses [approximately 50% of regular courses] will be introduced • Schools may develop some courses of their own • Curriculum specifications will be less detailed than currently. • Major changes in assessment
Junior Cycle Student Award – what will they be doing? 2012 December 2013
Assessment Core subjects • 60% terminal examination • set and marked via State Examinations Commission [SEC] • 40% school-based assessment • based on work in years 2 and 3 Other full subjects • 60% terminal examination • set via State Examinations Commission [SEC] BUT school-based marking • 40% school-based assessment • based on work in years 2 and 3 Short courses – all school-based??
So what is the reaction so far? • Programme issues • transfer between schools/comparability of experience? • Assessment issue • Inequalities between schools • ‘to be introduced at a rate that would allow schools, students and teachers the time to embed the changes’ [Ruari Quinn – Minister for Education] • ...the emphasis ... was on individual achievement and not on performance in public examinations’ [Michael Moriarty – General Secretary Education and Training Board Ireland]
Conclusions A time of change and uncertainty • PDE to PME • introduces some very positive changes • cost implications for student recruitment • Junior Cycle • future for subject at this level? • and for recruitment beyone? • acceptance that change was needed but.....