Short Course Progressive Education and Effective Teaching

Introduction

The educational reform movements at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century resulted in the development of new pedagogical theories and teaching practices. The pedagogical theories and teaching practices in the educational reform movements such as Montessori, Daltonplan, Freinet, Jenaplan or Waldorf (also called Rudolf Steiner schools) will be one focus of the minor studies. Another focus will be comparing these theories and teaching practices with current research knowledge on these present-day teaching practices.

Aim of the programme

The main objective of the minor is to study thoroughly the pedagogical views and didactic approaches advocated in each reform, their history and development as well as the different discussions and criticisms about them. The different educational movements have evolved a vision, as well as theories on children’s emotional, social as well as cognition development. Based on that knowledge, they have adapted teaching practices to match children’s needs. A comparison between this vision and these theories as well as teaching practices and current research on present-day educational methods and children’s development will be another main objective of the minor.

Another substantial part of the minor is devoted to understanding, analysing and improving current school practice on chosen topics such as group work, individual work or fostering self-responsibility.
One educational reform movement is to be chosen and a field study conducted. The research can be done individually or as a group and will be supervised by a teacher. These studies can be:

• Empirical research such as the effectiveness of certain teaching practices.
• Analytical research such as the differences between theory and school practice.
• Alternately, the student could chose to develop a didactical method on one subject for a school.

The Netherlands have a unique tradition in educational reform movement. These types of schools are widely spread all over the country. There are, for example, more than 250 elementary Dalton schools.

Course content

The minor consists of theoretical and practical learning objectives. Students will have a combination of lectures and group work. Assignments will be given and the course completed with a research report. Field experts as well as (guest) teachers from different academies or universities will provide the lectures and supervise the students.

Specific Requirements

This programme is intended for 2nd year bachelor students in educational teaching, social sciences such as pedagogical studies, psychology and others. Please view our general entry requirements for more specific requirements.

Costs

The length of the course is one semester and will start in September 2008 and will end January 2009. It is also possible to subscribe only for one quarter and do the second quarter remotely. The length of one quarter is 10 weeks.