Comparative Studies of Education consists of a Theoretical approach (15 ECTS Credits) and School/pre-school practice and research report (15 ECTS Credits). It is possible to take only the Theoretical approach, 15 ECTS, but the School/pre-school practice and research report (15 ECTS Credits) builds on the Theoretical approach.
Language of Instruction: English
Teaching semester: Autumn or spring
The course provides insight into the Norwegian educational system (pre-school, primary or upper secondary school), and enable students to make comparisons with their own countries. The main goal is to help students to become internationally oriented practitioners and/or scholars when they return home. The target group is students who are graduated as qualified teachers in their home countries, or students who are admitted at a teacher training program in their home countries.
Students should be reasonably proficient in English.
Comparative Studies of Education consists of a theoretical part and a practical part.
a) Theoretical approach (15 ECTS Credits)
- The Norwegian system of education compared to the education system of the home country (including pre-schools)
- The characteristics of Norwegian schools (including pre-schools)
- The role of the school in the Norwegian society
- The role of the Teacher in Norway (particularly use of Local Knowledge)
- The possibilities and challenges connected to rural areas and education
- Theoretical perspectives on the relationship between local and global environments and educational institutions
b) School/pre-school practice and research report (15 ECTS Credits)
This part contains teacher practice and foster research skills in relation to comparative analysis of Norwegian and home country educational systems. Based on the topics of the theoretical assignment and the educational system of the home country, each student will receive guidance on how to research educational practice. The research report is an in-depth study that is selected by the individual student, based on the teacher practice and tutoring from the school mentors in a Norwegian educational institution, and supervised by campus tutors.
All students must submit an assignment and a research report.
a) The assignment addresses similarities and differences between the Norwegian school system, and the school system in the student’s home country, as well as a comparison of the national curriculum of Norway and the curriculum arrangements in the student’s home country.
b) The research report is an in-depth study that is selected by the individual student, based on the teacher practice and tutoring from the school mentors in a multigrade school, and supervised by campus tutors.
Lectures and tutorials will be given, and excursions to educational institutions will be organized. Discussions will be an important part of the study. There will also be organized a period of teaching practice with a school/pre-school (minimum 4 weeks). The practice is tailored to individual needs and interests, with on-site supervision from school mentors.
PE314 001 Theoretical approach (15 ECTS Credits) - individual oral exam where the candidate is assessed on a scale from A-F, where A-E denotes pass (A is the highest achievement) and F denotes fail.
Count: 50%
PE314 002 School/pre-school practice and individual research report (15 ECTS Credits). The research report is assessed on a scale from A-F, where A-E denotes pass (A is the highest achievement), an F denotes fail.
Count: 50%
The curriculum will be adapted individually and depend of the focus chosen by the student (pre-school/primary school/upper secondary school). The student must also be able to find relevant literature in English about the educational system of his/hers home country, as part of the curriculum will have a comparative perspective.