Leading international and Australian scholars will join academics at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Faculty of Education to explore a new era of research in teacher education at a symposium to be held on the University’s Bathurst Campus from Sunday 13 to Tuesday 15 July.

 

CSU Strategic Research Professor in education, Bill Green, said the symposium will examine current and future issues and challenges for research on teacher education.

 

“The symposium theme is teacher education, which is one of the CSU Faculty of Education’s strategic research priorities. It is also a key aspect of the research program of the University’s Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE). 

 

“It links CSU’s comprehensive involvement in the provision of professional education in fields such as social work, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and dentistry within the University’s overall Growing Our Communities initiative.

 

“The nature of initial teacher education and on-going professional learning are widely recognised as critical factors impacting upon the quality of teaching in schools and early childhood centres.

 

“Research about teacher education is essential to understand the processes and problems associated with learning to teach, and designing practices and programs that support professional learning,” Professor Green said.

 

Dean of the CSU Faculty of Education, Professor Toni Downes, welcomed the visiting academics.

 

“Scholarly forums such as this keep CSU at the forefront of teacher education in Australia. By discussing and refining theoretical developments, by exchanging ideas with colleagues from around Australia and the world, CSU ensures that our students receive education that equips them as professionals who will enhance the schools and communities wherever they teach,” she said.

 

Four international scholars who are world-renown for their research on teaching and teacher education have been invited to this symposium: Professor Alex Moore from the Institute of Education at the University of London (United Kingdom), Professor Anne Phelan from the University of British Columbia (Canada), Professor Peter Grimmett from Simon Fraser University (Canada), and Professor Petra Ponte from Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands).

 

Ten Australian scholars regarded as leaders in the field will also attend, and 20 staff from the Faculty of Education will be working with the visiting scholars to chart new directions for research and to build cross-institutional collaborations.