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In response to Frank Samuel's question about effective teacher in-service
programs I point Lookjed reader's to some practical examples of Lookstein
Center work in this field. Having been involved in curriculum and
in-service programs at the Center for the last three years, in particular
with Australian schools, I will map out the rationale behind our work in
this area. It has a number of stages.
1. A study of the school is undertaken by a team from the Center. Its
purpose is for the team to understand the school from within so that it
can make the most meaningful recommendations for school improvement. This
on -site study is preceded by an in-depth self study undertaken by the
Principal, Jewish Studies Head and Jewish Studies teachers themselves.
This self study is guided by the members of the team who are to make the
on-site visit. A report is presented at the end of the first stage with a
recommended clear plan of action.
2. In our experience, one of the best ways to facilitate improvement in
the level of Jewish Studies is to decentralise Jewish Studies in to its
various disciplines. These include Tanach, Hebrew Language, Halacha,
Mishna and Gemara, Jewish History, Jewish thought. Coordinators of these
disciplines are appointed from among the school staff and trained to be
responsible for their particular discipline in the school. This training
takes place as part of an in-service Seminar following the submission of
the report and usually includes both elements of curriculum development
and teaching methodologies.
A follow up seminar, taking place in Israel, exposes the coordinators to
the very best lecturers in their discipline and enables them to gain their
own expertise in their area together with the opportunity to acquire
resources in their area. The goal of the program is to build a local core
of skilled teachers who are able over time to write their own curriculum
and teach others the methodologies they have learned. It is a sort of
"Sarei Alaphim, Sarei Meot, etc.
For more details of schools that have been involved in this program and
others like it-please write to me at the address above.
Eli Kohn
Coordinator of Commonwealth Countries
Lookstein Center</HTML>
