Teacher Training in the Baltic States


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The Transformation of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Baltic States - Survey of Reforms and Developments


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Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, among the newest member states of the European Union, are part of the "Copenhagen process," the EU’s training and education initiative. These nations have enjoyed special attention in European Vocational Education and Training (VET) policy. This book reviews and analyses reforms in VET and its applications. The book will benefit researchers studying VET in the Baltic states, and in the broader context of internationalisation.




Challenges to Teacher Education in Difficult Economic Times


Book Description

Teacher education in a financial crisis – what are the consequences and how can probity be maintained? Education, like most other parts of everyday life, is experiencing the challenges brought about by global financial constrictions. This book presents the experiences and views of practising teacher educators from multiple countries and continents on how the melt-down in world economics has affected and will continue to affect teacher education and concomitant experiences in schooling. The ramifications are seen to extend into every aspect of teacher preparation, continuing staff development and teacher support, and there are significant implications for the quality of teaching and learning, and the ethos and standing of the process of education as a whole. Drawing on educational theory and social, political, and economic discourses, the book addresses issues such as policy, philosophy, organisation, funding, resources, modes of teaching and learning, curricular change, recruitment and retention, amongst others, and provides a snap-shot across diverse contexts. It aims to provide an evaluative, analytical but reflective picture of teacher education in the light of the world economic crisis, whilst exploring good practice and suggesting future strategies to develop the quality of teacher education and professional support, teaching and learning. The volume provides an insight into the need for a new paradigm for teacher education: one that involves teacher educators in devising a discourse of positive and radical change. It will be a valuable resource for teacher educators, educational leaders, policy makers, educational commentators and teachers seeking to engage with the scholarship of teaching as a means to engage in continuous professional development.




The Baltic Sea Region


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Language Teacher Education


Book Description

'Language Teacher Education' is an introduction to language teacher training and development for teachers and providers in pre-service and in-service programmes. The text outlines the main theories of human learning and applies them to teacher education. Based on a broadly social constructivist perspective, it suggests a framework for planning pre-service and in-service programmes, and is illustrated both with case studies from a range of training situations around the world and appendices containing teacher education materials. Language Teacher Education is intended to inform readers' practical decisions and to help them build their own theories of teacher learning.




Objectives and Strategies for Education Policies in the Baltic Sea Region


Book Description

Objectives and strategies for education policies in the Baltic Sea Region The Baltic Sea Region is often considered the most innovative and economically strongest region of Europe. However, these strong developments and dynamics are at risk to face their limits. A rather high unemployment rate exists in many countries in the region, while at the same time, a lack of skilled work force is growing - which might indicate, that the existing qualifications are not in line with the actual demands. A strong commitment is needed from all countries around the Baltic Sea Region, in particular with respect to the most important pillar of any well-working system, the education policy. The whole region is clearly characterised by small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To stay competitive on a global scale, these companies need employees with the best possible qualifications. The text included has been discussed and adopted by the Hanse Parlament, an umbrella organization of 50 Chambers of Crafts and/or Commerce, and the Baltic Sea Academy, a network of 16 academic institutions that closely cooperate for the benefit of SMEs in the region.This publication summarizes the opportunities and challenges to then provide concrete recommendations, from early childhood education, general education, vocational training and higher education. The book includes the identical text in English, German, Polish and Russian language. Bildungspolitische Ziele und Strategien für den Ostseeraum




OECD Economic Surveys: Baltic States 2000


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OECD's 2000 survey of the Baltic economies. This edition includes special features covering banking and financial system reform, enterprise reform and economic restructuring, and labour market and social policy developments in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.




The Palgrave Handbook of Teacher Education in Central and Eastern Europe


Book Description

This handbook provides a comprehensive, scholarly overview of teacher education in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), since the fall of communism in 1989. It looks closely at recent trends, emerging practices, and possible futures for teacher education in twenty-one CEE countries – reaching from the Balkans, through the Visegrad Group, to Eastern Europe and the Baltics. The contributing authors reflect on their own countries’ uphill battles and journeys towards modernising teacher education over the last three decades. Subsequently, contemporary teacher education policies, structures, and practices are explored in light of Bologna reforms, EU higher education policies, and globalisation processes. Each chapter also offers some predictions about likely future trajectories – with concrete suggestions on how to develop and improve teacher education systems in response to the growing pressures of neoliberal ideologies. The Palgrave Handbook of Teacher Education in Central and Eastern Europe provides a valuable reference that enriches the work of scholars, students, policymakers, and practitioners across CEE and beyond.