Search results for: Teaching assistants

This article explores the role of teaching assistants in the training and assessment of primary initial teacher education students and considers their continuing professional development )CPD) needs in relation to this role. Most of the teaching assistants who participated in the research project worked in schools where initial teacher education (ITE) took place. However, teaching assistants were generally not given guidance on the needs of individual ITE trainees or information on Standards for QTS by their schools or by university-based tutors when visiting the school. Conclusions from the findings were that the majority of teaching assistants would welcome specific CPD in the area of ITE trainee support in schools and the potential role for teaching assistants within this.

The current study examines the potential of employing recent graduates to facilitate the learning of current students in a BEd program. The study included 46 participants. The authors argue that the use of recent graduates is a form of intergenerational learning that is characterised by knowledge-based, as opposed to age-based, generations. The authors refer to the Jared Phenomenon as a special instance of intergenerational learning. The authors define this phenomenon, describe the contexts which it is applicable and identify three dilemmas associated with the application of this phenomenon.

The purpose of this paper is to report on some of the changes that have taken place in the working conditions of English primary school teachers following a national agreement governing the working conditions of teachers. The article is based on two sets of teacher interviews: the first set having been conducted in 2002 before the national agreement came into operation; and the second set taking place 4 years after its implementation in the same schools. The most significant change since the first survey has been the increase in the use of teaching assistants to undertake various duties. However, despite the reform, the time given to parents and dealing with pupils' problems as well as the teachers' workloads have increased.