Today, the Pedagogical University hosted discussion-meeting of the University authorities with the headmasters and directors of schools and preschool educational
establishments of the capital; the subject of the discussion related to the process and outcomes of internships at educational establishments realized by pedagogues on their first semester at the Faculty of Primary Education, as well as elaborated its development perspectives.
In the process of the round-table discussion, which was the first in its format, the head of Department of Educational and Scientific-Methodological Coordination at the ASPU, the Vice Chancellor Mher Meliq-Bakhshyan introduced the new strategy of the University and emphasized the importance to review the academic programmes, as well as mentioned the necessity to have a new role and arrangement of internships.
“Internship is the main component for the future pedagogues to become properly specialized. It is intended to expand the hours of internships; besides, very soon the new internship package will also be ready. At the state graduate examination the mark received for the internship will also be of important meaning. Moreover, special commissions will be arranged to monitor these activities,” Mher Meliq-Bakhshyan mentioned.
However, it is difficult for the Vice Chancellor to say how specifically the internships will be arranged at the MA degree, but he is assured that they will have scientific- research nature.
In their turn, the directors of educational establishments expressed their surprise and content on the Pedagogical students’ level of preparedness and knowledge.
The Director of “Mkhitar Sebastiatsi” educational center Ashot Bleyan was pleasantly surprised at the quality changes of the Pedagogical University and its students. Moreover, he is sure that in the 21st century of media era teachers should have considerable freedom and personal methods to conduct the lessons.
Besides, during the meeting a number of problematic issues were covered; the period to implement the internship was discussed, too. So that to avoid passive internships, a lot of directors suggested that they should be arranged in November.
In his turn, the Head of the Department of Armenian Language and Elementary Education Ashot Galstyan confronted that the pre-alphabetical period is the most effective one for the teacher to solve educational problems.
Especially vigorous debates arose at the round- table about the 4th grade textbooks on mathematics which was then followed by the discussion of interns encountering considerable difficulties while using them.
Likewise, the Head of the Department of Mathematics and Elementary Teaching Methods Haykouhi Harutyunyan is also worried; however, she ensures that all will be done to correct the existing situation.
In addition, the Dean of the Faculty of Primary Education Heghinei Khachatryan considers that besides the beautifully designed packages, it is also particularly important to see the analysis prepared by Methodists and teachers on how the students conducted the lessons. The Dean of the Faculty is sure that students may conduct lessons, but the question may refer to how effective they are, what achievements the students gain, and whether they know what kind of flaws they have.
Besides, the students of the University were also present at the discussion. They expressed their content about the arrangement and implementation of the internship and asked to expand the time provided for the internship.
To conclude, all those present considered the meeting quite effective and decided to have it on regular basis.
As a matter of fact, an even more expanded meeting is intended in close future with the participation of directors of regional schools as well.
