Objectives of the department of primary and lower secondary school studies
The aim of the department of primary and lower secondary school studies is to educate students for teaching in the primary and lower secondary schools of this country and to prepare them for further study in their chosen subjects of study.
In the course towards a B.Ed.-degree in the department of primary and lower secondary school emphasis is placed on educating teachers who can address educational issues in a critical and reflective manner and have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to take on the responsibilities teaching places upon them. On this basis the studies are intended to supply the student teachers with a sound pedagogical knowledge as well as knowledge of the separate subjects of primary school. There is particular emphasis on practical training of the student teachers by offering long and continuous field study.
In the first year of study the student teachers get a common introduction in methodology, pedagogical ideology and the basic subjects of primary school. Specialization then commences with the choice of elective fields in the second year. The elective fields offered are: studies and teaching of younger children, Icelandic – language and culture, natural science and mathematics, and arts, taught in collaboration with the programme of study for teaching at the pre-school level. Furthermore, Modern Studies (See: Faculty of law and social sciences) are evaluated as the equivalent of an elective field of study. A minimum of ten students are required to select each of these fields of study in order to ensure that the subjects involved will be taught. Apart from their own elective fields, students are able to select courses in other elective fields of the department of study or in other faculties of UA, for the purpose of intensifying and widening their knowledge.
One field of study is offered on a distance learning basis, consisting of various courses in the programmes of study offered to local students.
All students have the option of selecting elective areas at the Iceland University of Education. However, this has to be done in conference with the head of department.
Teaching Arrangement
The aim of the department of primary and lower secondary school studies is to educate students for teaching in the primary and lower secondary schools of this country and to prepare them for further study in their chosen subjects of study.
In the course towards a B.Ed.-degree in the department of primary and lower secondary school emphasis is placed on educating teachers who can address educational issues in a critical and reflective manner and have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to take on the responsibilities teaching places upon them. On this basis the studies are intended to supply the student teachers with a sound pedagogical knowledge as well as knowledge of the separate subjects of primary school. There is particular emphasis on practical training of the student teachers by offering long and continuous field study.
In the first year of study the student teachers get a common introduction in methodology, pedagogical ideology and the basic subjects of primary school. Specialization then commences with the choice of elective fields in the second year. The elective fields offered are: studies and teaching of younger children, Icelandic – language and culture, natural science and mathematics, and arts, taught in collaboration with the programme of study for teaching at the pre-school level. Furthermore, Modern Studies (See: Faculty of law and social sciences) are evaluated as the equivalent of an elective field of study. A minimum of ten students are required to select each of these fields of study in order to ensure that the subjects involved will be taught. Apart from their own elective fields, students are able to select courses in other elective fields of the department of study or in other faculties of UA, for the purpose of intensifying and widening their knowledge.
One field of study is offered on a distance learning basis, consisting of various courses in the programmes of study offered to local students.
All students have the option of selecting elective areas at the Iceland University of Education. However, this has to be done in conference with the head of department.
Teaching Arrangement
Teaching in the department of primary and lower secondary school teaching is conducted both on the local study basis and by distance learning. The course descriptions are the same and the number of credits is the same. The time of study in distance learning is distributed throughout a four year period of study in lieu of the three years of regular local studies. In distance learning there is only one programme of study available, i.e. there is no choice of elective fields. Students in the distance learning programme are instructed by the use of tele-conference equipment and computers. The faculty reserves the right to determine the minimum number of students at each receiving terminal as well as in the first year in general.
