System snubs qualified teachers via Kairosnews
Quote: ''Requiring excessive numbers of pedagogy or education-theory courses,'' the report said, ''acts as an unnecessary barrier for those wishing to pursue a teaching career.''
Comment: Not sure what to think about this. I think the article is too one-sided - i.e. against the value of formal instruction on how to teach. One comment sounds great in theory..."Once we get the kind of people we want, we can train them in the schools.''...but the reality is that most education institutions are too busy to make that a focus. Generally, I'm in favour of the value of informal learning as being the equivalent of formal learning (developing a skill through actual work rather than through formal education)....but that is not the tone of the article. The article devalues the role of education theory courses in developing qualified instructors. Translating that to the online environment, it would suggest let people who know their stuff teach it. Horrible mistake based on my experiences as an online student. Teachers MUST be trained before they teach online...if not, student dissatisfaction and high drop out rates are inevitable.