ABSTRACT

The core sources for this chapter are unpublished papers presented at the 1996 conference of the International Consortium for Educational Development (ICED), held at Vasa, Finland, entitled Preparing University Teachers. This chapter presents a selection of overarching themes from the conference-those issues, contrasts, and similarities which were highlighted again and again in debate and identify directions of change in the preparation of university teachers around the globe. There are marked differences between the rationales of university teaching preparation programs. The six main rationales in evidence are: classroom practice, educational theory, reflective practice, personal growth, competence in the job and contextual relevance. Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) offers to accredit institutions whose programs meet certain requirements and embody certain values. In Europe there is considerable momentum behind the development of policies and practices which increase worker mobility between member states of the European Union through harmonization of training standards and qualification frameworks.