Department
of Elementary Education
Compared to
the past, the continuously changing role of teachers in
teaching-learning
process has become more important in the recent years. Traditionally,
teacher
is perceived as the unique source and the transmitter of knowledge.
However,
today teacher has become a guide who not only explains the subject
matter but
also facilitates the learning process.
In the
context of the recent reform efforts in faculties of education in
Turkey,
Department of Elementary Education was established at METU in 1998. The
department currently runs three teacher education programs:
b. Elementary
Science
Education
c. Elementary
Mathematics Education
The primary
goal of the Department of Elementary Education is to train teachers who
have
positive attitudes toward teaching and have necessary professional
skills for
their field. Teachers who graduated from this department are expected
to
represent a true role model for their students in terms of their
personal and
professional life, to follow innovations in their fields to maintain
professional development and have effective communication skills. The
program
also aims to develop teachers with a sound understanding of how
children learn;
confident in using technology; capable in problem-solving; attentive to
human
rights, democracy, and ethics. The program emphasises critical
thinking,
personal reflection, and professional development of preservice
teachers.
The
Department of Elementary Education also offers Master of Science
degrees in Early
Childhood Education and Elementary Science and Mathematics
Education
and Ph.D. degree in Elementary Education.