An investigation into the effectiveness of training Foundation Phase Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Abstract

The main focus of this research was based on the use of a targeted programme: ‘Special Me Time', which the ITT students would carry out with the children on teaching placement. ‘Special Me Time' (Davis, 2008) consisted of six individual lessons, on a PSD/WB/ EL theme and was taught over a six week teaching placement period. On commencing the programme, students would undertake an initial baseline assessment to gauge children's PSD/WB/EL and then another assessment at the end. Students would teach and evaluate a lesson each week from the programme. Students would be required to gauge the children's contributions to these lessons and attempt to chart the children's progress, recording their findings in a ‘reflective' diary. The basic premise of the research was therefore to ascertain whether ‘Special Me Time' had any impact on young children's development or understanding of issues relating to PSD/WB/EL and whether ITT students had been sufficiently trained and supported in the implementation, execution and understanding of such a scheme.