PED 112: Theories and Principles of Education

COURSE AIM: 

Theories and Principles of Education syllabus aims at equipping students with relevant knowledge, attitudes and skills that will enable them to become professional teachers, capable of completely performing various roles within the teaching service at Primary level.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Define the formal, informal and non-formal type of educations
• Describe the characteristics of education in terms of goals, aims, objectives and functions in society
• Discuss practical ways of class management and control
• Discuss the need of planning and preparation by the teacher
• Prepare schemes of work, lesson plan and records of work
• Explain different approaches to teaching
• Discuss student teaching practice (STP) as an important component in the teacher education program
• Apply various teaching methods and techniques in both peer teaching and real classroom situations
• Design different types of questions, test and other tools/ instrument for assessing learning
• Analyse different theories of learning
• Discuss the qualities of a good teaching
• Explain the role of a teacher, head of department and head teacher/ school manager in school administration
• Explain the administrative structure of the MOE, including functions of education boards and PTAs
• Explain the structure and functions of the teaching service commission, trade union and profession (subject) associations
• Discuss education planning and implementation at national level.
• Discuss curriculum and discuss curriculum planning and development

CONTENT

Introduction to theory and practice education

Definition or meaning of theory and practice

Nature and relevance of theory and practice to teacher education

Definition/ meaning of education

Types of education- formal, informal and non-formal

Characteristics of education

Functions of education

Goals, aims and objectives in education

Principles of education

Conservative and liberal approaches to education

The school and classroom

General meaning of school

School as an organization

School as a model of the community

Classroom as a physical learning environment

Classroom organization

Class management and control

Planning for teaching

Meaning and importance of planning in teaching

Syllabus

Schemes of work

The lesson plan

Records of work

Teaching and learning materials

Teaching aids

Methods of teaching

Definition: teaching methods and technique

Types or groups of methods: transmission, critical heuristic, creative, information   gathering and social learning methods

Child and teacher- centred approaches to teaching

Some common methods and techniques: lecture, question answer, discussion, group work, demonstration/ experiments, projects, dramatization and role play.

Special education needs

Principles of learning

Definition of learning

Theories of learning

Factors of learning

The process of learning

Stages in learning

Motivation of learners

Assessing and evaluating learning

Meaning and importance of assessment and evaluation in teaching and learning

Types of test: placement, formative, diagnostic and summative

Criteria of good test

Public examinations

The examinations council of Zambia

Education management and administration

Definition of management and administration

Types of leadership

School administration

Qualities of a good administrator/ a good leader

The roles of a teacher, head of department and head teacher of school manager in school administration

The teacher profession or career

Definitions/ meaning of ‘profession’ and ‘career’ in relation to teaching

Qualities of a good teacher

The role of a teacher in the community

Discipline: punishment types and use

Education planning and implementation

Meaning and importance of education planning at national level

Priorities and strategies in educational

Problems of education planning and implementation in development countries in Zambia

Impact of educational expansion on the quality of education

Students teaching practice(STP)

Purpose and organization of STP

 Preparation for STP what to take-documents, books, materials. Assignments.

After STP what to bring back-documents, assignments, reports, etc.

Extra-curricular activities

The teacher, the law and national organization

Administrative structure of the ministry of education – DEBS, PEO, head Quarters, education boards, PTAs.

The teaching service commission

Trade Unions in the teaching service

Professional (subject Associations)

Conditions of service

 The education act. 1966 and 2000 (in craft)Curriculum planning and development

Definition of planning

Curriculum and society

Curriculum development

Types of curriculum

Curriculum change

The curriculum development centre (CDC)Cross-cutting issues in education in Zambia

Equity in educational provision

Special education needs

Gender in educations

Democracy in educations

Environmental and education

METHODS OF TEACHING

1. Two hours of lecture per week
2. One hour of tutorials per week

ASSESSMENT

2 assessments of equal weight                                    10%

1 seminar presentation                                                10%

1 test                                                                           10%

Project                                                                         10

Final examinations                                                    60%

Total                                                                           100%

PRESCRIBED READINGS

Duming, P.A et al (1990) Education for the Student Teacher(books 1, 2 and 3), Cape town: Longman

Farrant, J.S. (1993) Principles and Practices of Education. London: Longman.

Kasambila. K.P. (1995) Teaching Methods. Harare: College publishers.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

Castle. E.B. (1971) Principles of Education for Teachers in Africa. Nairobi: oxford edition university press.

Ministry of education (1996) Educating Our Future. National policy of education Lusaka: ZEPH

Ministry of education (2001) Teachers curriculum manual. Lusaka: CDC

Obania. P. (1980) General method of teaching. London: Macmillan

Urevbu. A. (1994) Curriculum Studies. Lagos: Longman