Academic and Practical Study

The importance of academic study?

We can liken learning to teach on a PGCE/iPGCE course to learning to drive.

Learning to drive is not just about how to handle and manage the car you are in, but about decoding what is in front of you and understanding the rules of the road.

Theoretical and practical knowledge must be demonstrated in order to pass. How safe would you feel if you were in a car with someone who handled the car like a Formula 1 professional, but did not understand the road signs?

By combining knowledge of education with practical application, PGCE/iPGCE study paves the way for safer and more informed learning environments for both pupils and teachers.

Academic study helps you become a reflective practitioner

Reflection and self-awareness are essential skills of professional teachers.

Reflective practice is a cycle of learning that combines learning through experience with guided study and independent research.

Completing academic assignments is part of the reflective process of becoming an expert teacher – it’s an opportunity for you to really explore just how effective what you’re doing in the classroom is.

There are three ways in which this happens:

1. You’ll get into the habit of proving your ideas
2. You’ll get into the habit of reading about education and questioning the validity of widely-accepted views
3. You’ll model good academic practice

Completing a PGCE/iPGCE will allow you to reflect on both the teaching style of others, as well as your own teaching style, and in turn, become a better teacher.

At the National Institute of Education and Teaching (NITE), we encourage our trainees and graduates to carry forward the principle of continued reflective practice throughout their careers, and continually strive to learn and develop, no matter how many years of teaching they do, so that they are experts in their craft.

What do you think?

Are there particular academic skills that you think would make you a good teacher? Why do you think those skills are important?

You may like to consider skills such as evaluation, analysis, synthesis and reflection.