Untitled Document

Aims

The L.S.T.I. aims to develop and implement a new model for Teaching Practice which is free from the shortcomings of the traditional model. In particular it is intended that participating school will become much more involved in the exercise than they are at present. The key aims are as follows;

To involve participating schools as equal partners with the University in the professional training of student teachers of science.
To establish structures through which the experience and expertise of participating schools can be integrated into the professional training of student teachers within the University.
To establish structures through which the participating schools can benefit from the knowledge and experience of faculty and Departments in the University.

The training of second level teachers is a major activity of the University and is currently in a period of expansion. All teacher education programmes are under review as a result of changing circumstances in schools and society, and as a result of educational research.

This programme will assist in this process and will give the University access to a body of practical knowledge and experience which it has not fully utilised in the past. As a result of participation in this project schools will have a greater influence on the training of their prospective science teachers than in the past. They will also have access to the academic and professional knowledge within the University Departments with benefits for their current staff.