EDUCATIONAL CLUSTERS-THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHER TRAINING QUALIFICATION
EDUCATIONAL CLUSTERS-THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHER TRAINING QUALIFICATION

Summary/Abstract: The contemporary reality of societal development poses new challenges for education. The necessity to synchronize education with the needs of society and innovative development partly explains the emergence of new structures. The educational clusters are comparatively new and less researched phenomenon in pedagogical science. According to research a direct connection between educational clusters and an increased economic potential and regional development is established. The goal of the current study is to present the outcomes of a practical experience with a functioning educational cluster related to the qualification of teachers in Bulgaria. The research methods used in the study are theoretical analysis, SWOT analysis and a summary of empirical research. The SWOT analysis, summarizes strengths and weaknesses, outlines the opportunities for utilization of the positives and how such utilization would eliminate the risks, outlines the prospects for the development of educational clusters in continuing teacher training, suggests strategies for overcoming threats. The article examines the specifics of the formation of educational clusters as an innovative practice in teacher training. The article looks at the types of educational clusters, suggests a structure of an educational cluster for continuing teacher training and qualification, presenting the experience of the Department for Information and In-service Teacher Training at Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

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