The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic forced the world to respond in new and unconventional ways. Quick thinking and unusual flexibility were required whilst operating under conditions of uncertainty and fear. This article deals with agility in the implementation of distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic as it occurred at Ohalo College of Education with the outbreak of the epidemic in Israel in March 2020. Within 48 hours from the moment that Israel’s government announced a nation-wide lockdown, the College shifted from frontal teaching and learning to social distancing and distance teaching. The College adopted agile leadership that led to moving 700 courses to distance learning and teaching, with 150 lecturers and 1,500 students in their homes; the semester continued, but differently, in light of the lockdown and limitations ordered by the government. It is clear that such swift organization, executed with maximum flexibility, did not benefit from proper planning and was far perfect. This article offers a look at academic agility as demonstrated during the transition of a college of education to distance learning under emergency conditions. It will be examined through an analysis of survey responses from students. The goal of the survey was to assess students’ attitudes toward the implementation of this strategy.
The current study relates to the construction of a course entitled "Educating for the Future" (EFTF) to equip student-teachers with high order thinking skills. The course included several stages, programs, mini projects and learning environments adapted for a "technology-assisted pedagogy" based on Intel methodology. Student-teachers learned to combine new teaching methods with information technologies while stimulating interest, thinking and creativity in their students. 454 student-teachers completed the course. Evaluation after one year showed a necessity to switch to using also other pedagogical methodologies. Second year evaluation showed that students demonstrated required behaviors and skills during their "student teaching" experience and that they change their attitudes towards adopting 21st century skills.
The current research examined how students participating in professional training in education and teaching characterized the concept of the "teacher leader". Layered analysis was employed using quantitative data alongside a qualitative examination of metaphorical representations indicating deeper unconscious perceptions. The significance of the investigation lies in revealing the meaning given in the student-teachers' reflective worldview to their future role as teachers and educational leaders. Participants were one hundred twenty-five undergraduate students studying in various stages of their B.Ed. courses in education and teaching at a teacher education college in Israel. The research process identified four key indices, describing the main qualities required for the teacher leader: Personal Relations, Student Empowerment, Personality Traits, and Functional Traits. Key findings indicated that, according to the students' opinions, Personal Attitude received the highest score of the four examined indices. Thus, from the perspective of these future teachers, a clear association was created between Personal Relations and Personality Traits, as the most significant dominant traits in the concept of the "teacher leader".
Teacher-training has been developed through a complex weave of processes, models and theories, founded on experiences in educational settings. In 2015, the Academia Class program was added to teacher-training programs in Israeli academic colleges and universities and added new ways of thinking about student teachers’ practical experience. The program was widely implemented and became the flagship for teacher-training processes in Israel. As part of the program, student teachers and education students in their third year of studies participate in broad practical training for 12-16 weekly hours (for a year) in various educational institutions. Some of the changes engendered meaningful insights and processes that helped to reshape training processes. This article is derived from qualitative research that was involved in forming new models in teacher training, and offered an improved and enhanced approach to clinical practicum. Traditional pedagogic instruction is based on a “triangular instruction model” (student/teacher trainer/pedagogic instructor). The present study aims to expand this model by offering a new “pentagonal model.” The pentagonal model incorporates the following roles: student/coach-teacher/pedagogic instructor/coordinator teacher/academic instructor. The proposed model creates an ecosystem based on teacher-training processes and reinforces reciprocal connections, and different figures in new roles. It aims to connect the loose ends among the various participants involved in the practicum process in a more comprehensive and holistic manner. The practicum is performed in real time in the education field, in a clinical manner and is very meaningful for the future teachers’ work. Research method: Qualitative action research, documenting the expansion of the practical experience model at Ohalo College in northern Isrel. The proposed model is based on the authors’ experience from the past five years, as recorded in protocols, and work papers, as well as many meetings and discussions. It is important to emphasize that the model was tested and gradually improved, becoming refined through a dynamic process using feedback between the college and its students, and between the teachers and the instructors and pedagogic instructors. Participants included more than 500 students, 500 school and kindergarten teachers, and 40 pedagogic instructors, instructors, lecturers and others in relevant roles. The theoretical framework for the model relies on the concept of Pedagogic Content Knowledge (PCK), which emphasizes and reinforces pedagogic activity in the context of disciplinary knowledge content. In our opinion, the implementation of the model according to the approach described below creates a stable foundation for the student teacher practicum, in a manner appropriate given the current winds of change. The model should be applied in conjunction with essential changes in structural and behavioral policies necessitated by the Academia Class program.
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