CHALLENGES INTO E-LEARNING MASTER PROGRAM FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY TEACHERS
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (ROMANIA)
About this paper:
Appears in:
INTED2009 Proceedings
Publication year: 2009
Pages: 4483-4487
ISBN: 978-84-612-7578-6
ISSN: 2340-1079
Conference name: 3rd International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 9-11 March, 2009
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
The actual education policy in Romania ignores the need of post university studies for kindergarten and primary teachers (through masters and in-service programs). Taking this as a leaving point, this work presents on the one hand the theoretical framework through the perspective of European education policies referring to the professional competencies implied by this, and on the other hand it focuses on the idea of developing an e-learning master program which should address to different types of beneficiaries: graduates of university colleges – institutors, teachers for preschool and primary schools, graduates of Education Sciences and Psychology Faculty and others. This way, our main focus is to underline the need of kindergarten and primary teachers' training through e-learning master programs. To pursuit the purpose of the article, we plan to generate a literature review analysis in the field, an analysis of the Romanian legislation framework and the actual stage of dealing with the problem at the European level, by studying similar European masters programs.To gain knowledge about the actual situation we made a research on the quality of pre-service training, the teachers' expectations through an e-learning master program (competencies, curricula, the study period of time etc.). The national educational policies are under the influence of European policy tendencies. The key moments in European education policies (Lisabona Convention – 1997, Bologna Declaration – 1999, European Conference of Education Ministers, Berlin – 2003) are key moments for the Romanian Reform of education, with influences on pre-service and in-service training for primary and preschool teachers. Documents as “The Higher Education System Strategy on 2002 - 2010” and “Low 288/2004 – The low about organization of higher education system” will change the structure of actual system for pre-service teacher education and training and, in the same time, they are sources who will bring legislative base in accreditation of master program for teachers from early education system. The analyze of educational policy documents and others regarding teacher training, such as literature of the filed conduct us to the two new and modern principles who legitimize the deep change trend of Romanian pre-service teacher education and training system. It is about professionalization of didactic career and compatibilisation of Romanian higher education with European one.
To conclude, the results of the proposed intercession can be revealed by three levels: 1) a new theoretical and political perspective over didactic competencies that can be created by post graduated study programs; 2) conceiving an assessment instrument of competencies; and 3) elaborating a theoretical and methodological framework for implementing an e-learning master program (plan of study, syllabus, ECTS, assessment, competencies etc.) designed for early stages education trainers.Keywords:
support, technology, education quality.