What skills and experiences do our teachers need as they look to educate students post-COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? We connect with the University of Dundee MA education IB Pathway class to learn more about how lecturers, student teachers and schools are preparing for instruction and hear about their virtual practicum experiences at the International School of Como.
As a result of worldwide school closures and the cancelling of international travel by the University of Dundee as a safety measure due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), student teachers on the IB Pathway of the MA education programme had to forego their in-person practicum abroad for a new way to develop their teaching practices. By partnering with Jane Whittle at the International School of Como, MA IB Lead Nikki was deftly able to offer a virtual practicum experience with all the necessary opportunities for student teachers to succeed in this new age of teaching. Below Nikki, Jane and four student teachers share their experience completing virtual practicums.
“Arrangements for this virtual opportunity evolved fairly rapidly and our students responded with great flexibility, willingness and a commitment to their ongoing education”.―Nikki Doig, lecturer at the University of Dundee.
“I have gained the resilience and adaptability to change how I encourage and engage students to support their learning”. ―Amellia Elizabeth Menmuir, IB pathway student teacher at the University of Dundee.
“Something that has been reinforced again and again throughout this and has stuck with me is that not all learning is done within the four walls of a classroom”.―Georgia Fullarton, IB pathway student teacher at the University of Dundee.
“This opportunity taught me so much about how technology can open so many more opportunities to demonstrate the Primary Years Programme (PYP), develop dialogues and foster stronger relationships with researchers, such as those at Dundee University”.―Jane Whittle, deputy principal and head of primary, International School of Como.
“This allowed me to step outside my comfort zone because I experienced first-hand the kind of different technical and pedagogical obstacles might happen in an online learning environment”.―Amy Fraser, IB pathway student teacher at the University of Dundee.
“As both students and teachers have become more accustomed to technology in this time, these skills should not be shelved as they can benefit face-to-face teaching also”.―Julia Savaniu, IB pathway student teacher at the University of Dundee.
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