An introductory course in teaching methods for vocational teachers

Abstract

A program for training entry level teachers has existed in Nova Scotia since 1952. During the period 1972-1982, the program was held in five different locations. With each change, there has been a complete revision of the program: new teachers, new administrators, and new materials. The Nova Scotia Teachers College has recently become the permanent home for the vocational/technical teacher education program. This provides the stability of the program necessary to introduce the course package developed for this study. This study reviews the development of vocational education in the province of Noca Scotia and the parallel development of a Vocational Teacher Training program. In addition, vocational education and vocational teacher training in the United States and Western Europe was examined. The main function of this work is to present a course of study for the beginning vocational teacher in teaching methods. This course was developed and modified during the summers of 1982-1983 at the Nova Scotia Summer School for Technical and Vocational Teacher Education at the Nova Scotia Teachers College. The methods and procedures outlined here were field tested during this period and adjusted in response to student feedback. It is hoped that this complete action research project will provide a continuity of course materials for the program which currently does not exist.