International Teacher Education Student Conversation Project 

This project entails a a short series of online conversations between teacher education students in multiple countries. We believe that such conversations with others in different contexts can be helpful in: a) understanding the viewpoint and experiences of others, b) learning more deeply about your own experiences and context through comparison, and c) broadening the perspective of the global nature of the profession. The participating instructors will collaboratively create mixed groups of teacher education students from various courses and countries. In these small groups, students will spend time getting to know one another and learn about their contexts and expereinces. 

The project in short:

• Who: teacher education students (with an interest in exceptionality/ special education needs) from various programs/ countries- in pre-made mixed groups - see Country-Specific Information for context
• What: participate in 2-3 student-arranged online group meetings to get to know each other and discuss the key questions (below) between late November-mid January - see Conversation Questions
• Why: meet new friends, expand your thinking on teacher education, share and hear your own experiences as a student and vision for your future classroom
• How: Your instructor or program liaison will share your information to form the groups and remain as a key contact for the project. Once groups are set, your team will be instructor to set mutually agreed upon meeting times and format (messenger, Zoom, Google Meet, or other platform)- see Activity Steps and Timeline

 

Country-Specific Information

Canada

Austria/ ​Österreich

The Netherlands/ Nederland

Belgium (Flanders)/ België

 

Conversation Questions

In your group conversations, we ask that your at least cover the three questions below. 

1. Describe your experience in (home county/ state/ province) as a primary/ secondary school student (compulsory level).
2. Describe your experience in (home county/ state/ province) as a teacher in training (university/ college level).
3. What are your expectations for your future classroom? How would you describe what you expect to find/ experience as a teacher in your system?

Some additional group questions/ discussion items follow:

• How can you contribute to high quality inclusive education and inclusive thinking, now and in the future as a teacher teachers?
• What sorts sorts of training and/or experiences would you like to be able to work with diverse student population, including students with disabilities?
• Are you pursuing additional training and experiences related to your future teaching career outside of education? If so, what?
• Who was your own favourite teacher and why?
• Why do you want to be a teacher?
• What was one of your favourite lessons/ school activities as a student? Why?
• What are your hobbies? 

 

Activity Steps & Timeline

• End of November (Week 48)- Students will receive an email with team member contact information.
  • See here for Group Assignments.
  • See here for time zone information. 
• End of November-Start of December (week 48-50)- students set up meeting time schedule with their team (2-3 one-hour meeting slots)
• November-mid January (anytime with Week 48-50, 2023 & Week 2-3, 2024) Students meet and discuss questions

Comments and Questions?

Please reach out to your group Faculty Leader (see assignments here) or your own instructor with questions of concerns.

Partner Institutions