Abstract Book of the 9th International Academic Conference on Education
Year: 2025
[PDF]
Re-conceptualizing Teacher Education: Toward More Flexible and Inclusive Pathways
Dr. Ginette D. Roberge
ABSTRACT:
Teacher education plays a crucial role in society, serving as the foundation for a teacher’s journey into acquiring knowledge and skills that can ultimately help foster the academic, social, and emotional development of their students. Teacher education programs carry the vital responsibility of preparing future educators for their careers by offering theoretical knowledge, social experiences and pedagogical practices, all of which are often subsequently applied by teacher candidates in various educational environments. With the shifting landscape of educating adult learners, designing and administering programs that fit their needs and circumstances is increasingly multifaceted and complex. This study utilized a combination of content analysis and cross-sectional survey methods to explore current trends in teacher education in Ontario, Canada. Insights were gathered from students, educators and various key stakeholders in educational settings in regards to optimal approaches that are flexible, timely, and that consider the needs of contemporary adult learners. The findings established the groundwork for the creation of new teacher education programs that align with current educational priorities and that are specifically designed to address the needs of modern adult learners. This presentation will highlight the key findings of the study, as well as some of the more innovative and notable elements of the teacher education programs that have been developed based on these findings.
Keywords: teacher education, adult learners, program development