In recent years, universities have been improving their support programs to improve the quality of future teachers as Australia braces for a shortage in educators at a time when enrolments are booming.
Earlier this year, Victoria University announced a partnership with early learning provider Goodstart to address the gap in early childhood teachers, especially in regional and rural Victoria. For its part, Swinburne University is resorting to crowd-sourcing technology to encourage more students to consider a teaching career.
Now, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is the latest to contribute to improving the quality of educators through two innovative programs.
On Monday, QUT announced the launch of the second season of its podcast for educators, Teacher Podclass.
QUT Faculty of Education Professor Simone White said they came back with a new season after receiving positive feedback from listeners.
The podcast covers a wide range of topics which can help teachers improve their practice in and out of the classroom, such as optimising the use of technology, fostering relationships to boost student learning, and including Indigenous perspectives in their teaching.
Professor White said they have now included teachers and educators as guests in their podcast, which is hosted by QUT researchers who share their experiences in the profession.
The podcast also serves as an additional resource to the University’s free online courses as well as professional development programs catering to both school leaders and in-service teachers.
Professor White encouraged educators to make use of QUT’s online courses, which are available through FutureLearn. The online module can be used to gain credit for a Graduate Certificate in Education or Master of Education.
The University on Monday also welcomed 26 teachers from Papua New Guinea who will be taking part in a three-month STEM education course. The program, which is funded through the Australia Awards PNG, gives the teachers the chance to visit Queensland schools as part of their training.
Professor Dann Mallett, course leader for the Graduate Certificate in STEM Education, said the program will also focus on how these high school educators can make use of digital technologies to enhance their teaching.
Participating teachers submitted a STEM project which they are expected to finish by the end of the course. Mallett said that the exercise seeks to develop the participants’ technical and communication skills to improve their students’ learning.
QUT international projects development manager David Kozar also said that the program, just like other Australia Awards Scholarships, hones the participants’ leadership skills.