Prospective Teachers On Leading Edge Of Learning

The University of Victoria is at the forefront of getting new teachers prepared to provide education in 21st century schools.

An initiative with Reynolds Secondary School this semester gave 16 prospective secondary English teachers weekly opportunities to immerse themselves in school and classroom life, get mentoring from experienced teachers, and meet a range of educators in a variety of education contexts.

Most existing teacher education programs wait to give pre-service teachers in-class practicums. The Teaching Reynolds UVic Project attempts to better integrate the two primary learning spaces—the university and the classroom—by putting prospective teachers in the school in their first term to make immediate connections between theories of learning and practice, and better integrate the principles of 21st century teaching and learning into the UVic teacher education program.

Three Reynolds teachers were hired by UVic to collectively lead a teaching seminar course for the UVic learners, who also worked closely with four campus-based instructors, enabling them to observe different instructional methods, including ways technology can be used, assessment practices and collaborative approaches to learning and teaching.

Media advisory: Program co-ordinators and participants will hold a celebration of their experience Friday, Nov. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Reynolds Secondary School. UVic students will showcase some of their learning and thoughts on the initiative.

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