38. Consensus IX Meeting

[Kerala University English Teacher Educator’s Forum -KUETEF]

After discussing issues related to curriculum transaction, the members present, arrived at the following consensus:

Lesson Plans

•The trainees should prepare thirty Lesson Plans for the thirty working days specified by the University during the Second Spell of Practice Teaching.

Models of Teaching

•Though during the Practical Examination for the 2009-10 batch, the examiners did not insist on trainees engaging a class based on Models of teaching, the teacher educator should direct the trainees to engage at least two periods on two models during Practice Teaching.

•It is a fact that not all Models of teaching prescribed in the syllabus is suitable for teaching of English. (Eg. The Inquiry Training Model which is a favourite of Science Teacher Educators) Hence, Teacher Educators should familiarize themselves with the Handbook on Models of Teaching brought out by the Department of Education, University of Kerala which has specimen Lesson Plans based on different models for the teaching of English)

•The Models of Teaching which are most suitable for English are

* Concept Attainment Model * Direct Instruction Model
* Advance Organizer Model and * Synectics Model

• Some Models do require more than 30 to 40 minutes (the normal duration of a school period) So, trainees may be encouraged to integrate relevant phases of models to normal classroom transaction (Eg.The presentation of Advance Organizers)

• A Model titled Constructivist Model which some trainees have adopted for writing Lesson Plans does not appear to be taken from any standard Reference Book similar to Models of Teaching by Bruce Joyce and Marsha Weil. As its origin appears dubious, its use should be discouraged.

The Interactive Model

•The Lesson Plan on Interactive Model available with some teacher educators if found suitable may be circulated among the members.

Criticism of the Three column Lesson Plan

•Many Supervisors in schools have dubbed the three-column-Lesson Plan prepared by trainees as outdated. But as teacher educators of colleges affiliated to the University of Kerala, it is obligatory on our part to instruct our trainees to follow directions specified in the syllabus regarding recording of principles drawn from Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy of Education in the Lesson Plans in the third column.

On teaching theories of Learning

• The irrational inclusion of Theories of Learning in the Second Semester which is invariably taught in many colleges after Practice Teaching need to be addressed when the curriculum is revised.

On the First Spell of Practice Teaching

• Many members found the First Spell of Practice Teaching (for ten days) failing to fetch the desired result as they are asked to teach in schools without being given a proper foundation in teaching and learning.! However, many felt that the ten-day exposure trainees receive during the First Spell of Practice Teaching prepares them for a better performance during the Second Spell of Practice Teaching.

On Micro Teaching

•There is a dire need to include Micro Teaching as a compulsory topic. If included it would ensure trainees familiarizing themselves with a few teaching skills prior to Practice Teaching. Hence, this should be brought to the attention of the Board of Studies.

Practicums in English

• Many trainees are finding the BEd course particularly taxing owing to the sheer number of Practicums they have to prepare – viz; four per paper and a total of forty Practicums! The members felt that two Practicums per paper would suffice. Hence this matter should be brought to the notice of the Board of Studies.


Specimen topics for Problem-based Practicums listed include the following:

• The Problems encountered by High School students in pronouncing certain sounds in English and suitable remedies to over come them.

•Addressing Problems in Spelling
•Problems ecountered in the teaching of Grammar.

Topics for General Practicums

Non-Problem based study which is more a Survey can include the following:

•A study on the practicability of organizing, Pair Work and Group Work
•A survey of the strategies employed for developing vocabulary in secondary school children.

Circular on Practicums

•The Circular from the Registrar regarding the kind of Practicums which may be given to trainees should be made available to the Teacher Educators who have recently joined the profession.

•The directions given in the Circular mentioned above is fairly comprehensive. But it is a fact that not all trainees are competent enough to take up Problem-based Practicums and complete them following all the steps. To overcome this, Teacher Educators should encourage brighter trainees to take up new topics on Problem–based Practicums. Let the weaker trainees take up the same topic for Problem Solving which is likely to have the same steps but ensure that they actually collect the relevant data from the schools they attend for Practice Teaching.

•While trainees choose a topic for their Practicum check whether it is manageable in terms of the ability of the trainee, the time available and the resources at hand. Necessary assistance should be provided to the trainee for identifying the problem, formulating a hypothesis (if necessary) and tips should be offered regarding ways of collecting data.

Innovative Work

As the current trend focuses on a shift to Computer–based learning , encourage trainees to prepare digital teaching materials or digital self-learning materials as part of their Innovative Work. Encourage trainees to exploit visuals, text, music, animation and video in the production of digital materials.

•While trainees suggest Innovative work which they intend to submit, ensure that it actually nurtures the production of novel and creative products that enhances language learning.

Extended Reading in the new Course Book

•While teaching topics under Extended Reading prescribed for study in the new Course Book, if the students require it let the trainee teach new words/ provide model reading. What is important is that the associated skill should be mastered by the students.

Intimating Board of Studies

All the issues discussed which affects proper curriculum transaction need to be brought to the notice of the Board of Studies through the Dean of the faculty of Education, Dr. M.S.Geetha.



Secretary,
KUETEF