A Teacher Education Model for the
21st Century
A Report by the National Institute of Education, Singapore
TE212
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2TE21
NIE as a university-based teacher education institution
has a strong foundation in terms of the structure and
substance of its teacher education programmes. Like
many high-performing teacher education providers in
the world, NIE’s model provides theoretical foundation
to produce the “thinking teacher” whilst concurrently
having strong partnerships with key stakeholders and the
schools to ensure strong clinical practice and realities of
professionalism in teacher development. Our strength also
lies in a strong base in subject matter and pedagogical
content knowledge, as well as a strong connection to
educational research. The adoption of the universitybased
model demonstrates that teaching is a profession,
where the development of teachers is underpinned by
evidenced-based learning, and where teachers require
the award of a degree as a pre-requisite for joining the
profession.
Previous reviews affirmed both the structure and
substance of NIE’s teacher education programmes. In the
light of changing needs in Singapore’s education system
and developments in the global educational landscape,
this current review builds on existing strengths to bring
teacher education onto a higher plane of excellence,
drawing on the perspectives of stakeholders and putting
the 21st century learner at the very heart of our educational
goals. ‘21st century learners call for 21st century
teachers’ is the impetus for the Programme Review and
Enhancement (PRE) 2008-2009. Based on extensive
literature review, understanding of existing and emerging
trends, local profile, changing landscape in policies and
initiatives, and research data, we explored possible and
viable avenues for enhancements – the culmination of
these efforts is a new Model of Teacher Education for
the 21st century (TE21) at NIE .
The NIE TE21 is a transformative endeavour that will guide
the design, delivery and evaluation of NIE’s programmes
in order to provide the best education to our aspiring
and serving teachers to become 21st century teaching
professionals. It is a key initiative under the teaching
strategy of the NIE 3:3:3 Roadmap (the 5-Year Strategic
Plan 2007 – 2012) and a concrete response to the
educational challenges brought forth by the current global
landscape as well as anticipated future needs. Thus far,
21st century has been characterised by knowledge-driven
economies, rapid information exchanges and fast-moving
communication technologies which have created new
demands on education systems worldwide. In the 21st
century landscape, education must focus on nurturing the
whole child – morally, intellectually, physically, socially and
aesthetically. Students need to acquire new knowledge,
skills and dispositions to ensure their survival and success
as individuals, as members of the community, and as
citizens of our nation. To achieve this, we must develop
teachers who are able to undertake greater responsibilities
as they are at the forefront of educating our youth. It is
now universally accepted that the quality of the teaching
force determines the quality of education. As we raise
the standards for our children, our 21st century teachers
will also need the right values, skills and knowledge to
be effective practitioners who will bring about the desired
outcomes of education.
Enhanced Partnership with MOE and
Schools
The robust partnership between NIE, MOE and schools
is a key driver of NIE’s internationally recognized teacher
education programmes. To strengthen the tripartite
relationship along the whole continuum and reinforce
the theory-practice nexus, NIE advocates an “Enhanced
Partnership Model” to leverage on the proven strengths of
NIE’s university-based approach while emphasizing much
closer collaboration with MOE and schools than what
currently exists.
The commitment from all key stakeholders – NIE, MOE
and schools is required in transforming teacher education
to produce 21st century teachers. The Enhanced
Partnership Model is one of the key levers that will
determine the successful implementation of the proposed
TE21 recommendations. This model provides the
collaborative framework of shared values and goals in the
interest of teacher learning and education research, while
recognising the need for mutual respect for each partner’s
roles, beliefs, perspectives, experiences, expertise and
knowledge. The enhanced partnership between NIE
and schools is particularly significant in strengthening
the theory-practice nexus. Together with MOE, a strong
tripartite relationship will promote solidarity of intentions
and efforts to provide teachers with the best support for
their work in 21st century classrooms.
TE21 : Towards a strong teaching force for
the 21st century
The new TE21 Model puts forward 6 broad recommendations
(R1 to R6 referred to below) that are intended to enhance
the key elements of teacher education, including the
underpinning philosophy, curriculum, desired outcomes
for our teachers, and academic pathways. ( Figure 1)
Executive
Summary 3 3TE21
The 21 Century Learner - the heart of our teacher education goals
Competencies
VALUES3 SKILLS KNOWLEDGE
Aspiring
& Serving
Teachers
21st Century
Teaching
Professionals
Pathways
Programmes Curriculum
Partnerships
Schools
NIE
MOE
R1
R2
Theory Practice
Nexus
Pedagogies Assessment
R3
R4 R5
R6
st
Strengthening the NIE TE21 Model - Mapping the Recommendations
R1. New V3
SK
R2. Graduand Teacher Competencies
R3. Strengthening the Theory-Practice Nexus
R4. Programme Renements and An Extended Pedagogical Repertoire
R5. Assessment Framework for 21st Century Teaching & Learning
R6. Enhancing Pathways for Professional Development
Figure 1 : NIE Teacher Education Model and the 6 key recommendations4
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4TE21
These enhancements reflect a holistic approach to
strengthening teacher education at NIE across the
continuum, from ITP to TPD in a manner that is current,
relevant and responsive in meeting the needs of our
schools.
R1: New Values3
(V) Skills (S) and
Knowledge (K) Model
The V3
SK represents the underpinning philosophy
of teacher education at NIE. It guides for the design,
delivery, and enhancement of NIE’s programmes and
courses, to develop teachers who possess the positive
attitudes, necessary skills, depth and breadth of content
knowledge. ( Figure 2 )
These are the essential prerequisites in meeting the
challenges of the 21st century classroom. The V3
SK
model focuses on three value paradigms: Learnercentred,
Teacher Identity and Service to the Profession
and Community. Learner-centred values puts the learner
at the centre of teachers’ work by being aware of learner
development and diversity, believing that all youths can
learn, caring for the learner, striving for scholarship in
content teaching, knowing how people learn best, and
learning to design the best learning environment possible.
Teacher identity values refer to having high standards
and strong drive to learn in view of the rapid changes in
the education milieu, to be responsive to student needs.
The values of service to the profession and community
focuses on teachers’ commitment to their profession
through active collaborations and striving to become
better practitioners to benefit the teaching community.
The V3
SK model also underscores the requisite knowledge
and skills that teachers must possess in light of the latest
global trends, and to improve student outcomes.
KNOWLEDGE
Developing
Education Professionals
SKILLSVALUES
Empathy
Belief that all children
can learn
Commitment to
nurturing the potential
in each child
Valuing of diversity
V1 - Learner-Centered
Values
Aims for high standards
Enquiring nature
Quest for learning
Strive to improve
Passion
Adaptive and resilient
Ethical
Professionalism
V2 - Teacher Identity
Collaborative learning and
practice
Building apprenticeship
and mentorship
Social responsbility and
engagement
Stewardship
V3 - Service to the
Profession and Community
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Reective skills & thinking dispositions
Pedagogical skills
People management skills
Self-management skills
Administrative & managment skills
Communication skills
Facilitative skills
Technological skills
Innovation and entrepreneurship skills
Social and emotional intelligence
SKILLS
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Self
Pupil
Community
Subject content
Pedagogy
Educational foundation and policies
Curriculum
Multicultural literacy
Global awareness
Environment awareness
KNOWLEDGE
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Attributes of the 21 Century Teaching Professional st
Figure 2 : New Values, Skills and Knowledge (V SK) Model 35 5TE21
R2: Graduand Teacher Competencies
(GTC) Framework
The GTC Framework articulates a set of professional
standards, benchmarks and goals for NIE graduands.
The GTCF, which outlines the 21st century skills, is a
Performance Dimensions Core Competencies
Professional Practice 1. Nurturing the child
2. Providing quality learning of child
3. Providing quality learning of child in CCA
4. Cultivating knowledge:
i. with subject mastery
ii. with reflective thinking
iii. with analytic thinking
iv. with initiative
v. with creative teaching
vi. with a future focus
Leadership & Management 1. Winning hearts & minds
i. Understanding the environment
ii. Developing others
2. Working with others
i. Partnering parents
ii. Working in teams
Personal Effectiveness 1. Knowing self and others
i. Tuning into self
ii. Exercising personal integrity
iii. Understanding and respecting others
iv. Resilience and adaptability
Organisation of the GTCs
By aligning the GTCs with the professional standards set
by MOE, a common language will be established and
graduands will continue to develop these competencies
beyond ITP. The GTCF will be embedded in NIE’s
programmes and courses, and will also be used in
evaluating student teacher outcomes. It provides mentors
with a good developmental framework to work with,
and student teachers w