Teaching in a Nutshell: Navigating Your Teacher Education Program

Designed to help student teachers develop an approach to teaching that is both theoretical and practical, this text focuses on key aspects of teaching rather than trying to "cover the waterfront." Based on extensive research on teachers’ views, their own long experience as teacher educators, and other sources, the authors recommend 7 priorities for teaching and teacher education:


program planning


pupil assessment


classroom organization and community


inclusive education


subject content and pedagogy


professional identity


a vision for teaching


Each chapter deals in turn with one of these priorities, using a common format. Activities throughout help readers understand what the priority means in both theory and practice.

This text is a companion to the authors’ 2009 book for teacher educators, Priorities in Teacher Education: The 7 Key Elements of Pre-Service Preparation. By making these 7 priorities and related knowledge explicit, it helps student teachers to acquire essential knowledge and skills, to understand the teaching/learning process more fully, and above all to be as prepared as possible for the demanding work of teaching.

Clare Kosnik is Professor, Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Learning, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto.
Clive Beckis Professor, Centre for Teacher Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto.

Introduction
Chapter 1. Program Planning
Chapter 2. Pupil Assessment
Chapter 3. Classroom Organization and Community
Chapter 4. Inclusive Education
Chapter 5. Subject Content and Pedagogy
Chapter 6. Professional Identity
Chapter 7. A Vision for Teaching
References