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Prof Makhanya
Prof Mashile
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The Education Cluster in the College of Human Sciences hosted the Annual Teacher Education at a Distance Conference from 1 to 3 October 2008. A total of 170 participants attended, including academics and researchers in teacher education and open and distance learning, school principals, teachers, postgraduate students, representatives from the Ministry of Education and a number of delegates from elsewhere in Africa.
Papers were delivered on the following subthemes:
- Teaching practice
- Postgraduate studies in teacher education
- Research in open and distance learning
- Teacher education priorities
It soon became clear from the presentations that open and distance learning is the future of teacher education in Africa. Teacher education programmes should be developed specifically for ODL. Case studies of successful ODL teacher education programmes in Africa also need to be compiled. New models for teacher training are needed and the development of innovative pedagogy should be promoted. Teachers need to be able to do reflective research in order to improve their own teaching competence. Collaborative reflection with peers (CRP) is important, as students learn in communities of practice and this resonates with the African idea of community. Student teachers need to be socialised into becoming and being teachers, as becoming a teacher does not happen in isolation.
 Conference delegates |
 Prof Catherine Hoppers | |
