Open AccessThe History of Initial Teacher Education in Wales: Lessons from the Past?
Author(s) -
David A. Egan,
Russell Grigg
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
wales journal of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2059-3716
pISSN - 2059-3708
DOI - 10.16922/wje.22.1.2-en
Subject(s) - general partnership , context (archaeology) , curriculum , argument (complex analysis) , pedagogy , teacher education , sociology , political science , medicine , history , law , archaeology
This paper outlines the historical context within which the current reforms to initial teacher education in Wales can be viewed. The first section sketches the main historical developments before exploring three key themes which continue to have strong resonance today: the rationale and curriculum for teacher education, the nature of school/University collaboration in teacher preparation and the development of educational research within initial teacher education, at University and school partnership level. The central argument is that if teacher educators are to contribute fully to the wider reforms which are taking place within the education system in Wales, they would be wise to critically reflect on past experiences of the three themes discussed. The paper concludes that a failure to do so might leave providers ill-informed, underprepared and always reacting to change rather than taking a proactive and well-defined role in influencing the future of education in Wales.