School Experience Model for Initial Teacher Education in Turkey 01.08.2019
Mathematics Education
Elementary Mathematics Education undergraduate program strives to develop well-rounded teachers who are committed to life-long learning as well as ethical, professional and social values. Our objective is to help teacher candidates become leaders, appreciate different processes of mathematical thinking and learning, and use theory and research to improve their work in a global, diverse and technological society.
All teaching and learning activities within our program are designed by taking into account of the theory of “constructivism” and its principle “learning by doing and experiencing”, which is also embraced by the University within School Model. In order to learn in meaningful ways as opposed to memorization of facts, learning processes in our program are based on acquiring knowledge through real-life experiences. In addition to internship experiences in grades 5th-8th at schools, teacher candidates will participate in research projects with faculty that will help teacher candidates understand and engage in teaching profession both as a practitioner and a scholar.
Our program holds following specific goals:
- Educating mathematics teachers for 5th-8th grades in elementary schools.
- Developing mathematics teaching materials for elementary schools in grades 5th-8th (daily and yearly lesson plans, teaching and learning activities, manipulatives, and assessment tools to monitor student learning) and sharing such materials with teacher candidates and other teachers.
- Conducting research in order to advance the field of mathematics education and sharing results with practitioners and other stakeholders.
Our program aims to provide a modern and comprehensive curriculum such that teacher candidates are equipped with knowledge, ability and experience with regards to classroom management, teaching methods to motivate students, assessment and research methods in education, and how to use technology in mathematics teaching, in addition to improving mathematics subject knowledge.
The curriculum structure is designed to improve teacher candidates’ both professional knowledge and social and communication skills. The classes that will be conducted with the innovative “flipped classroom” method will expand teacher candidates’ vision for teaching and learning. Teacher candidates will acquire new skills in conducting classroom discussion effectively, guiding and engaging students in meaningful ways and apply these skills in their future teaching careers.
In the MEF University Elementary Mathematics Education Program, instructional language is 100% English. Newly admitted students will enter the Preparatory English Language Program, which typically is for one academic year. The undergraduate program is for four academic years, excluding the preparatory class. For the students who wish to complete the 240 ECTS Bachelor program in 3 years, MEF University provides flexibility in course selection, course load, and plentiful course offerings in the summer schools.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
Graduates of our program will be able to work as mathematics teachers in grades 5th through 8th in public schools associated with Ministry of Education or private schools. Additionally, our graduates have the opportunity to work as instructional designers and editors in private education and scientific technology companies as well as gain positions as education experts/education coordinators/education directors in private elementary schools.
Our graduates may also continue their studies in masters and doctoral programs and work as academicians in public and private universities.