A tribute to the best and greatest thread in the world: Off Topic

[Wolfshade]

This is a really bad idea. This means that, as opposed to mere mortal Education degree teachers, who need three years full-time to become qualified, they're going to be a qualified teacher after 16 weeks (or maybe less, not sure) of actual education in the theory of teaching

And no, I don't believe in on-the-job training for teaching.

No GTPs? or the new equivalents?
On the job training I think is important for those who are less academic. Let us be perfectly honest two physics could teach science with having very little/no knowledge of chemisty or biology or even the sylabus is for ks3/4/gcse what have you.

[Denzark]

This is a really bad idea. This means that, as opposed to mere mortal Education degree teachers, who need three years full-time to become qualified, they're going to be a qualified teacher after 16 weeks (or maybe less, not sure) of actual education in the theory of teaching

And no, I don't believe in on-the-job training for teaching.

You have clearly missed the part where it says 'exceptional' individuals. I don't think the gubmint or the troops themselves think they will instantly be able to command respect just by dint of being ex military and shouting a lot, its a shame the teaching unions, instead of contributing to the debate about how to get rid off sub-standard teachers, are closed minded enough to think these people will automatically fail.

[Kirsten]

teachers do amazing things and are mostly wonderful people, but there have been numerous reports lately about the difficulty of getting rid of bad teachers. It is a very thorny issue.

[Aenir]

Because... Why not?

[Wildeybeast]

This is a really bad idea. This means that, as opposed to mere mortal Education degree teachers, who need three years full-time to become qualified, they're going to be a qualified teacher after 16 weeks (or maybe less, not sure) of actual education in the theory of teaching

And no, I don't believe in on-the-job training for teaching.

I'm not sure how you think we learn how to teach without on the job training. That's exactly what learning to teach is. Whether you do it through university or GTP, you are in the classroom, teaching the kids, planning lessons, marking work and so forth.

As for the issue of the soldiers getting fast tracked, it is utter nonsense. I fail to see why a soldier has any greater skill at disciplining a child or creating a relationship based on respect than any other sensible adult. Soldiers are used to working with other adults and expecting instant respect and obedience, that simply doesn't happen with children. The way you deal with them is completely different to the way you deal with adults, and that takes time to learn, regardless of what previous experience you may have.

I'd also have serious concerns about the motivation of soldiers wanting to switch to teaching. If they really wanted to be teachers, they would have become teachers in the first place and not bothered with the army. Anyone viewing this as simple job switch is going to be in for a very rude awakening and will not last long.

If the government wants to offer the military extra incentives to train as teachers, then fine, but a fast tracked training process, especially for people who will mostly be lacking the specialist subject knowledge required to teach at secondary level, is laughable. As is the government's idea that this will have any significant impact on raising educational standards or addressing the problems of the 'breakdown of society'. Anyway, I suspect this will be largely moot debate, I doubt there will be any significant take up and the next government will abandon it as a waste of money.

[Chris*ta]

I'm not trying to say that on the job training isn't important to learning teaching. What I'm saying is that I don't see why ex-soldiers should be excepted from learning the theory that is required of other potential teachers. And I don't believe that being a soldier (even one who trains other soldiers) or an exceptional soldier can replace this theoretical knowledge.

I agree with Wildey that it's largely academic (so to speak ) as I doubt there will be many takers. I do worry about the (few) kids who get largely untrained teachers as a result, though.

[Kirsten]

I'd also have serious concerns about the motivation of soldiers wanting to switch to teaching. If they really wanted to be teachers, they would have become teachers in the first place and not bothered with the army. Anyone viewing this as simple job switch is going to be in for a very rude awakening and will not last long.

I agree with most of what you say, but this bit is wrong. it is perfectly reasonable for somebody to plan to have two careers in their lives, especially when the first is the army. plenty of people serve their time and then go and do a different job. a lot of people don't stay in the army for life. I want to be a teacher, but not for another ten years or more, it will be the job I 'retire' to all being well.

[Psychosplodge]

So [URL="http://kadrey.tumblr.com/post/52498876623/lightskin-mike-noreason2gohome-the-sum-of"]this[/URL] is amazing

first image

[Bitrider]

^^ That should have gone into the Art thread. ;D

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

O_o