Final report - European Commission - Europa

TEACHER TRAINING IN ENTERPRISE EDUCATIONLinda Brownlow, University of Strathclyde, UKWhile Enterprise in Education activities have been an accepted part of Scottish education for many years, in 2003 theScottish Executive Determined to Succeed programme was launched. It stated that children and young people shouldhave the opportunity to:develop enterprising attitudes and skills through learning and teaching across the curriculumexperience and develop understanding of the world of work in all its diversityparticipate fully in enterprise activitiesenjoy appropriately focused career educationAll student teachers on all Initial Teacher Education courses at the Faculty of Education of The University ofStrathclyde (Glasgow) attend ‘awareness-raising’ sessions in the early stages of their courses. As well as introducingthe philosophy behind Enterprise in Education, this also encourages them from the very beginning of their course toconsider adopting an enterprising approach to teaching and learning. Those students who wish to study this area inmore depth can then undertake an option module later in their course.For one particular group of students, i.e. those studying for the Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree – a four yearcourse, there is an opportunity to undertake a 48 hour module over two years (Year 3 and Year 4 of the course).In Year 3, students work in groups and undertake an enterprise project at their own level. For many of these students,this is a completely different way of working, compared to other methods of delivery in the course. For some, theprospect of an enterprise project, to be completed over an 8 week period, is fairly daunting, but after the initialbriefing they are able to generate ideas and progress with the project very quickly. For assessment purposes they arerequired to compile a group report of their project, and deliver a presentation to peers about the processes involved.This is followed by an individual piece of reflective writing, identifying the personal and professional benefits of theexperience to the student, and consideration of the implications for teaching and learning in general. Studentevaluations of the module are extremely positive and many are able to recognise very important benefits.This module is consistently rated extremely highly by the students, who then extend their knowledge of Enterprisein Education during the module in the following year. After graduation, they take this depth of knowledge into theteaching profession and for some this may help when they apply for teaching posts.These modules are delivered by staff of the Centre for Studies in Enterprise, Career Development and Work(Enterprising Careers) www.strath.ac.uk/enterprisingcareersFor those practising teachers who wish support, the centre also provides a wide portfolio of in-service trainingcourses. Teachers who wish to gain additional qualifications can study for the Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma inEnterprise in Education.37Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education and Learning