Theory or practice? Controversy around training teachers of pre-school and early school education Cover Image

Teoria czy praktyka? Kontrowersje na temat kształcenia nauczycieli edukacji wczesnoszkolnej
Theory or practice? Controversy around training teachers of pre-school and early school education

Author(s): Wiesława Leżańska
Subject(s): Social Sciences, School education, Sociology of Education
Published by: Wydawnictwo Akademii Nauk Stosowanych WSGE im. A. De Gasperi w Józefowie
Keywords: early-childhood education; preschool teacher; early-school teacher; training of teachers

Summary/Abstract: The article presents divagations on the issue of modern approaches to training teachers of young learners, i.e. tutors working in nurseries and the first grades of primary schools. The main thesis advanced by the author is to present the position of theory and practice in the education system aimed at this group of teachers. According to the author, nowadays there is a great need for the revision of binding strategies and assumptions, which are the foundations of the teacher training process, and for the redefinition of their professional functions and roles. The author supports the concept of tight interaction between theory and practice, and between the place where practical training takes place and the educational institution. This is the only approach that renders it possible for students to correct their personal theories of operation and it also allows for a real alternative to the traditional technical and rational approach to teacher training to be developed. Practical training of future teachers should then be perceived as a source of hands-on professional knowledge and not as the application of remembered rules and principles. When developing her own concept of training teachers of early school education, the author mainly applies the conception of reflective practice by Donald A. Schön and the concept offered by J.E. Russell. The article concludes in the presentation of the project of a new major called Childhood Education, prepared by the Department of Nursery and Early-School Education at the University of Lodz.

  • Issue Year: 31/2016
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 11-26
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish
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