This paper examines the emergence of new accountabilities in teaching and teacher education in Ireland in the 15 years period 1997-2012. Framing accountability in terms of the three main approaches to it globally in education systems, that is, compliance with regulations, adherence to professional norms and attainment of results/outcomes, we…

With a view to linking ideals with action in development education, the preparation of teachers for practice in this area merits consideration. Given the theory/practice disconnect associated with initial teacher education, it is appropriate to explore means of effectively initiating beginning teachers into development education. To that end, a…

This paper investigates key elements in a positive practicum, from the perspective of post-primary pre-service teachers in Victoria, Australia. Four key issues emerged: the emotional and professional support given by the supervising teacher, the freedom for pre-service teachers to develop their own teaching style, the provision of specific and…

Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, Comparative and International Education (CIE) has almost disappeared from the curricula of teacher education colleges in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Yet, CIE is experiencing a revival at postgraduate level. This article will explore the reasons for this dichotomy and the decline of CIE…

This article presents and discusses some results obtained from the analysis of data collected by the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (NUI) Applications Centre (PDEAC), which was established in 1999 to administer the selection of student teachers for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at the education departments of the four NUI…

This article reports on the outcomes of a study that compared implicit and explicit teaching approaches on the development of contemporary conceptions of the nature of science (NoS). The sample comprised two groups of prospective primary teachers in the Republic of Ireland, all non-specialists in science. Research has shown that contemporary…

Research into student teachers' perceptions, attitudes and prior experiences of learning suggests that these experiences can exert an influence on practice which can be relatively undisturbed by their initial teacher education. This article is based on the initial findings of an all-Ireland survey of all first-year students on B.Ed. courses in…

This paper explores a number of themes relating to gender and teaching. The existing balance of women and men in the teaching profession in Ireland and internationally is examined; patterns at entry to initial teacher education in Ireland are outlined; gender differences in final awards are presented; finally, sociological questions raised by…

This study is about examining beginning teachers' needs in relation to helping primary school children with mild learning difficulties. Both pre-service and in-service teachers were approached to assess their experience and needs in this area. In common with previous work in Ireland and internationally, beginning teachers were found to have…

The Laptop Integration in Teacher Education project provided laptop computers for a cohort of students undertaking a one-year Initial Teacher Training course at the University of Ulster for the award of Post Graduate Certificate in Education. The study sought to measure the value of laptops to student teachers whilst on Teaching Practice. Data…

This is a study of the abortive attempt by the direct rule Conservative government in the early 1980s to impose unity on the diversity of initial teacher education (ITE) provision in Northern Ireland (NI) through the work of the NI Higher Education Review Group, chaired by Sir Henry Chilver. Harnessing hitherto untapped archives, it shows how…

The homogeneity that once represented Irish society will soon be represented only in the annals of history. The influx of people of diverse nationalities, together with the increasing presence of children with physical and intellectual disabilities, and children coming from a range of non-traditional backgrounds will make our classrooms…

The 13 papers collected in this volume illustrate the issues that currently interest educational researchers in Ireland. Seamus O. Suilleabhain explores education as a profession and the concept of professional identity. Papers written by Jim McKernan, Diarmuid Leonard, and Luke Murtagh examine curriculum research and development as a professional…