Studies in the Department of Teaching combine supervised teaching and courses in education, educational research literacy, pedagogy, and teaching methods. This usually is a two-year program and courses are scheduled on Sundays and/or Thursdays. A number of tracks allow you to complete the program in one year (see About the program in the side menu) by scheduling classes at least twice a week, provided you are able to fit all the program’s courses in your class schedule. The curriculum is compatible with the teacher training outline established by the Council for Higher Education (Ariav Committee outline). There are four components in the program:

Education

Courses that impart the theoretical knowledge that a well-educated teacher should have. Also, courses that provide the 21st century teacher with the theoretical tools they will need and an opportunity to see them applied in class. 

Courses about:

• Philosophy of Education: philosophical aspects of educational work
• Development and Maturation: psychology of adolescence
• Education and Society: Sociological aspects of school and the educational system
• Learning and Teaching
• Teaching for higher order thinking

Training courses

Fieldwork courses and workshops are offered in the subjects (the discipline you will teach in school) and in the pedagogical and educational topics every teacher needs:

(a) Pedagogy and methodology in the school subject

Subject-specific courses about the practical and theoretical aspects of teaching the subject in school. The methodology workshop which accompanies your fieldwork includes preparation for teaching and followup reflection, feedback on classroom observation and personal conversations with a pedagogical instructor, reviewing professional literature and current research, learning topics in school curriculum, and more. Participation in the methodology workshop and supervised fieldwork is compulsory also during the semester break. Students are exempt from workshop and supervised fieldwork during school vacations that do not coincide with University breaks.

Courses

• methodology workshop in teaching the school subject*
• didactic seminar in the school subject

*Two methodology workshops are offered in the same subject in a small number of subjects, one in each year.

(b) Supervised fieldwork in the school subject

Fieldwork is an opportunity to learn first-hand about the world of school and classroom. Fieldwork allows you to learn by practice, while benefiting from the support of pedagogical instructors and coaching teachers. To receive your teaching certificate in any of the programs you must complete one day a week of fieldwork throughout the two years of your teaching certificate program. Fieldwork takes place in schools in Jerusalem or its surroundings. Students spend an entire morning at school 7:30/8:00am to 1:00/1:30pm (exact time is set by the workshop supervisor and depends on the school schedule). Students are kindly requested to be punctual: unplanned absences and late arrivals are not permitted. Supervised fieldwork is accompanied by a methodology workshop taught by a pedagogical instructor: a mentoring teacher who is a member of the Department of Teaching faculty. Fieldwork includes observing trainer teachers, participation in educational school activities, and independent teaching in a class or a smaller group. As part of your fieldwork you will be required to submit fieldwork reports. In some cases you will be asked to start you fieldwork or your fieldwork preparation before the academic year begins. These hours will count toward your workshop requirements during the academic school year. Students whose achievements or participation in fieldwork is inadequate will be required to schedule additional fieldwork hours during the current or following year. In exceptional cases, their participation in the fieldwork course will be discontinued.

(c) Pedagogical training and general educational field work assignments

Some educational challenges and tasks are common to all teachers and these require practical training in addition to studying the theory. Each student may choose fieldwork courses and a pedagogy workshop on topics such as the following: homeroom teacher (form tutor) role; working with students with learning disabilities; alternative assessments; working with bright and gifted children; introduction to multi-cultural education; teaching life-skills. These are one-term courses. 

(c) For additional information about structure of fieldwork courses

(d) evaluation

To be eligible for a teaching certificate you must pass all fieldwork courses (passing grade is 70). Fieldwork continues through the year without a break between semesters. To pass the fieldwork courses, you will be evaluated throughout the year and must be on a par with expectations of a beginning educator on the following:

• Professional identity: having developed over the course of your traininga personal educational philosophy and an awareness of social, ethical, and moral dilemmas in education.
• Participation: Regular attendance, active participation and contribution, timeliness, completing assignments.
• Function as teacher of the discipline: minimum required proficiency in the discipline, required pedagogical-didactic knowledge (integrate thinking skills, diverse teaching methods, class preparation, constructing exams and handouts, etc.) 
• Interaction with students: class management skills, positive communication with students, inclusion, differential and individualized approach, handling discipline.
• Team work: ability to collaborate with colleagues, understanding educational system needs, and working with school requirements. 
• Learning: ability to provide and receive feedback, reflective skills