Workshops

Workshop 1a and 1b

”Quality Assurance and Multiple Providers for Teachers In-Service Training and Continuing Professional Development”

The purpose of this workshop, as part of the Conference, is to examine the current situation and options for reform on a) opening the teachers In-Service Training (INSET) and Continuing Professional Development (CDP) to multiple providers and b) introducing quality assurance mechanisms, including accreditation systems, for INSET and CDP providers and programs, in order to improve quality and guarantee sustainability of Education systems. During the workshop, expert presentations by representatives from EU, South-East European countries and US, and small workgroups will provide high level assessment and debate. The workgroups will focus on: a) How to provide national and local stakeholders with options and good practices for introduction of multiple accredited INSET and CPD providers? b) What are the best options for flexible, cost-effective, sustainable, and independent systems of quality assurance for INSET and CDP of teachers? c) How to guarantee continuous awareness of equity issues and, for South-East European countries, of EU harmonisation requirements for quality assurance?

WORKSHOP 2

Quality assurance mechanisms – Case studies

Case studies in “Good Practice” enable the exploration of various levels of experience gained in different countries as well as the implications for the professional development of teachers.

During the workshop, examples for Austria, Greece, and SE countries will be presented. The workgroups will look at the elements of these examples that could, under certain conditions be applied in other counties. The titles of the projects are:

· “Working towards sustainable development at schools. Austrian experience with e-Learning – Clusters and the Quality in Schools (Q.I.S.) Initiative” , J. Horschinegg, Austria

· “Science Laboratory Centres in Greece. Outsourcing in-service teachers’ training and support to school Science Laboratories”, Th. Pitsouli, J.Christakopoulos, Ch. Chamalidis

· “Quality Assurance Mechanisms: the case of Greece”, A. Katsis, N. Kotsira, G. Koukopoulou

· “Private Sector Development in Education in SE Europe – Case Studies of Good Practices”, F. Tsakona

WORKSHOP 3

Teachers’ Training & Continuous Professional Development I

The following presentations are scheduled:

· “European Programs: Adriving force in the Reformation of the Curriculum Mobility Programs”, M. Kourou, H.Ioannidou

· “Promotion and internal transfer of positions of educators in the Greek Educational System”, A. Andreou

· “Learning Together, achieving Together: the collaborative process of CPD”, Tim Brosnan

· “The new approach to staff development and quality improvement in the Hungarian public education sector”, Katalin Molnar - Stadler

WORKSHOP 4

Quality Assurance : Good Practices of School Support Actions

Within this workshop the speakers will refer to educational programmes implemented in France, Finland and Greece.

All the above mentioned case studies, have to do with educational innovations introduced under difficult circumstances.

The presentations aim to bring forward the positive results of the experience gained as well as the positive results and the difficulties met throughout their application

WORKSHOP 5

Teachers’ Training & Continuous Professional Development II

The following presentations are scheduled:

· “Improving the Education of Teachers and Trainers: the work of the European Commission”, Sean Feerck

· “Professional Development of School Teachers’ in SE Europe in the frame work of TEMPUS programme”, Athanasopoulos Panagiotis

· “Evaluation- Accountability of teachers: Results of a research in Cyprus regarding views of teachers and parents”, Christos Pantelidis

WORKSHOP 6

The Cross-Thematic Approach to Teaching and Learning of ICT and Foreign Languages: Implications for the Professional Development for Teachers

The recent reform in the Greek primary and Secondary Education has introduced the Cross Thematic Approach (CTA) to teaching and learning as a step towards the integration of school knowledge and real life.

According to the CTA subjects are elaborated from a holistic point of view and not as separate units. The aim is to achieve a horizontal link through the subject matter of the taught areas belonging to the same cognitive group, so that each subject is analyzed and elaborated in ways, which highlight its multi dimensional issues.

The workshop, focusing on the CTA, investigates its relation with ICT and foreign languages. The implicit aim is to provide the opportunity for the exchange of good practice and to highlight the need for a new broader perspective to teacher education and training, so that the needs emerging from the changing roles of the educator in the evolving school environment will be met.

WORKSHOP 7

‘The contribution of teachers and trainers to the quality of training in the European Union and the SA countries .

The objective of the workshop is to analyse the specific contribution of VET teachers and trainers to the quality of training and to formulate recommendations on the basis of that analysis.

The workshop will focus mainly on approaches and practices developed within EU countries with a view to identifying key transversal aspects which could be applied in other contexts and systems.

The workshop will be structured around three main presentations on the following issues:

(a) The place of teachers and trainers in quality approaches in the EU: initial assessment of a TTnet study in the EU Member States;

(b) Quality in professional development practices for VET teachers: findings of a TTnet network working party on innovative practices in the EU;

Workshop 8

"Improving Teacher Preparation and Professional Development: Country Experiences from an International Teacher Policy Review"

"This seminar will discuss recent initiatives in France, Ireland and Sweden to reform initial teacher education and teachers' professional development. The countries are participating in the major OECD project. Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers. Initiatives to be discussed include integrating different forms of teacher education into a common model, providing more effective support to beginning teachers, and linking teachers' professional development more closely to school needs. The discussions will be conducted by leading policy makers and researchers from the countries concerned."