Teacher Education in the 21st Century

Professor TAN Oon-Seng is Director of NIE. Prior to this, he was Dean of Teacher Education there and spearheaded the Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21) Model, which is a major milestone for teacher education both nationally and internationally; President of the Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association (2008-2010) and Vice-President (Asia and Pacific Rim) of the International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology (2008-2011). He is Editor-in-Chief of the Educational Research for Policy & Practice journal and Lead Editor of the Asia Pacific Journal of Education. In 2014, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) by Singapore's President for his dedication and achievement in the field of education.
Associate Professor LIU Woon-Chia is Dean of Teacher Education at NIE. She is Associate Professor with the Psychological Studies Academic Group and founding member of NIE's Motivation in Educational Research Laboratory. She was Associate Dean of Practicum and School Partnerships (2009-2014) and Sub-Dean of Diploma Programme (2008-2009). She co-chaired the Theory-Practice taskforce in NIE's Programme Review and Enhancement initiative that culminated in the TE21 Model (2008-2009) and the Theory-Practice Core Team, TE21 Implementation Steering Group; was President of the Educational Research Association of Singapore; and represented Singapore in the World Education Research Association (WERA) Council. She is co-convener of the WERA-International Research Network conference.
Professor LOW Ee-Ling is Head of Strategic Planning & Academic Quality at NIE. She is Professor at the English Language & Literature Academic Group and was Associate Dean of Teacher Education (2009-2013). She obtained her PhD in Linguistics (Acoustic Phonetics) from the University of Cambridge under its Overseas Graduate Scholarship. She won a Fulbright Advanced Research Scholarship in 2008, which she spent at Lynch School of Education. She had a leading role in the TE21 Model and NIE's Strategic Roadmap: Towards 2017. In 2012, she was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) by Singapore's President. She represents Singapore in Stanford University's International Teacher Policy Study and Harvard Graduate School of Education's Global Education Innovation Initiative.

This book examines the evolution and innovation of teacher education in Singapore in the 21st century. It covers teacher education reforms in the conceptualising and implementing of the Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21) Model and discusses curriculum improvements that are aligned to new competencies; values development that re-envision teacher professionalism and calling; pedagogical changes that emphasise self-directed inquiry and technology-enabled learning; strengthened theory-practice linkages and enhanced teaching practices through school partnerships and mentoring; and impactful education research in areas such as assessment and developing teaching competencies, practices and mentoring. Teacher education in Singapore focuses on developing professional leaders in the field of education who are proactive problem-solvers and empowered researchers. It entails a long-term vision of education and an innovative approach to develop teachers with design skills and an inquiring mindset to understand learners in the fast-changing digital and mobile world. This book is aimed at scholars, researchers, policymakers, teacher educators and teachers as well as anyone interested in learning the philosophy behind Singapore's unique TE21 Model for the 21st century and beyond.

Includes the conceptualisation and implementation of Singapore's Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21) Model

Chapter 1 Teacher Education Futures: Innovating Policy, Curriculum and Practices.- Chapter 2 Teacher Education Policy: Recruitment, Preparation and Progression.- Chapter 3 Championing the Teacher Factor.- Chapter 4 Underpinning Philosophy of Teacher Education in Singapore: A Values-Driven Paradigm.- Chapter 5 Nurturing 21st Century Educators: An EPIIC Perspective.- Chapter 6 In Focus: The Role of Education Studies in Teacher Education.- Chapter 7 Preparing Mathematics Teachers in Singapore: The Issue of Mathematics Content Knowledge.- Chapter 8 Science Teacher Education for the Changing Landscape.- Chapter 9 Reconceptualising Experiential Learning in the Pre-Service Geography Fieldwork Module.- Chapter 10 Developing Thinking Teachers through Learning Portfolios.- Chapter 11 Redesigning and Reconceptualising of Field Experience for Teacher Accreditation.- Chapter 12 Mentoring and School Partnerships.- Chapter 13 Building Character and Citizenship through Service Learning.- Chapter 14 NIE Learning Space: Physical and Virtual Learning Environment.- Chapter 15 Teacher Learning and Development across the Continuum: Pre-service to In-service.- Chapter 16 Quality Assurance in Teacher Education in Singapore.- Chapter 17 Riding toward the Future.