Course Description

Pedagogy is a mandatory component of a BA subject-teacher degree. Pedagogy includes the knowledge, skills and attitudes that teachers require in their encounters with pupils, the school as an organisation and with society. The study of pedagogy is aimed at stimulating the students’ personal development, growth and ethical-awareness in relation to their professional studies. Through theoretical studies, actions and reflection, students will acquire the pedagogical insight which is of fundamental importance for teachers in their daily professional work. Students must therefore study, analyse and reflect concerning the importance of effective teaching and learning for children, youth and adults, and how it affects their development.

According to the current national curriculum the study of pedagogy is based on the following target areas:

• The teacher and the student
• The teacher and the school as an organisation
• The teacher and society

The subject reading material and the practical pedagogic problem-approaches which are focused on during the course will therefore reflect these target areas, and the course curriculum will also include a similar structuring into three target areas.

Since the approach to the course is intended to be function-oriented and closely related to realistic situations in professional life, problem-oriented and reflection orientation instruction will be emphasised. This requires active student involvement, where mutual influence and responsibility will be stressed. Parts of the course will therefore involve mandatory participation. As a rule, this will apply to the activities of the basis groups, the submission of portfolio assignments and all preparatory and follow-up tasks associated with teaching practice. Other mandatory participation sessions and attendance will be specified in the semester plan distributed at the beginning of the semester.

Assessment Methods

Throughout the period of study, students will be expected to work on mandatory written assignments, and execute tasks individually or in groups to be re-evaluated by the basis groups. This is a part of the formative assessment in the course (continuous assessment). Some of these assignments will be included in a separate ‘ Sample Work Portfolio’, which will be submitted for assessment at the end of the semester (the deadline for submission will be specified in the semester plan distributed at the start of the semester). The portfolio will include work from all the three target areas described above, and students will choose two of the six mandatory assignments to be submitted for assessment. Simultaneously, the course teacher will choose a random piece of work to be added to the portfolio. The final assessment of the individual portfolios will be based on the following selected pieces of documentation:

• Individual assignments (2 assignments, each of which count for 30% of the final grade for the portfolio)
• Group assignment (1 assignment which counts for 40% of the final grade for the portfolio)
• Written assignments related to the teaching practice and didactic plans (4 items)

Final examination and grade assignment

a) An internal portfolio assessment counting for 50% of the final grade (Sample Work portfolio).

b) A 4-hour individual written examination counting for 20% of the final grade.

c) A development project carried out in groups counting for 30% of the final grade.

The remaining assignments are evaluated as pass/fail.

A single grade is entered on the diploma, ranging from A to F, where A is the highest grade and E is the lowest passing grade. Each part of the assessment must receive a passing grade in order to receive a final passing grade for the course. Candidates who wish to sit the final examination must have their presentation portfolios approved before they may do so.

Please refer to ‘ Telemark University College ’s Examination Regulation’ for further information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean