Secondary Teacher Education Programme (STEP)
The Secondary Teacher Education Programme (STEP) is a course of study for practicing and prospective teachers. The aim is to train, sustain and provide the appropriate resource base for teachers who will teach the Institute of Ismaili Studies’Secondary Curriculum to Ismaili students worldwide. The master’s level teacher preparation aspect of the STEP is being undertaken through a pioneering collaboration between The Institute of Education (IOE), The University of London and The Institute of Ismaili Studies.
The experience gained from classroom teaching and master’s-level studies will also prepare course participants for future careers as educational leaders either within the AKDN network or at other educational institutions.
The experience gained from classroom teaching and master’s-level studies will also prepare course participants for future careers as educational leaders either within the AKDN network or at other educational institutions.
The programme extends over two academic years and culminates in two postgraduate awards: the Master of Teaching (MTeach) and Master of Arts, Education (Muslim Societies and Civilizations). Following completion of the academic programme in London, participants proceed to an in-service phase as Secondary Teachers employed by their national Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board/Committee (ITREB/C).
The Master of Teaching (MTeach) and Master of Arts, Education (Muslim Societies and Civilizations) is a concurrent programme of study which leads to two postgraduate degrees. The programme is designed for Ismaili teachers at different stages of their careers, who wish to enhance their professional learning by integrating a humanistic, civilizational and normative approach to the study of Islam in their teaching practice primarily within the Ismaili religious education system worldwide.
The MTeach provides intellectually challenging and sustained practice-based, in-class and virtual learning opportunities with peers from across disciplines and phases along with experienced Institute of Education tutors. It incorporates the participants’ teaching experiences into course design, assessment, and fieldwork around a common vision of accomplished teaching practice.
The MA Education is structured around a sequence of core modules designed to develop knowledge and understanding of the Ismaili heritage within the broader dimensions of Islam and it’s civilizations. It emphasizes a teaching and learning stance that prepares participants to understand and respond analytically to relevant scholarship and research, through humanistic, civilizational and normative approaches, in order to facilitate an understanding of the philosophical and pedagogical frameworks and content of The Institute of Ismaili Studies’ Secondary Curriculum.
The MTeach provides intellectually challenging and sustained practice-based, in-class and virtual learning opportunities with peers from across disciplines and phases along with experienced Institute of Education tutors. It incorporates the participants’ teaching experiences into course design, assessment, and fieldwork around a common vision of accomplished teaching practice.
The MA Education is structured around a sequence of core modules designed to develop knowledge and understanding of the Ismaili heritage within the broader dimensions of Islam and it’s civilizations. It emphasizes a teaching and learning stance that prepares participants to understand and respond analytically to relevant scholarship and research, through humanistic, civilizational and normative approaches, in order to facilitate an understanding of the philosophical and pedagogical frameworks and content of The Institute of Ismaili Studies’ Secondary Curriculum.
The concurrent MTeach and MA Education programme provides focused professional development for individuals wishing to teach at Ismaili Religious Education Centres (RECs) at the secondary level, using an innovative, humanistic, civilizational and normative approach to religious education. The educational outcomes of the programme emphasize pedagogical decision-making based on multiple sources of instructional materials, broad subject-matter knowledge, the IIS secondary curriculum framework and content and field-based training. Through coursework and practicum experiences, participants foster and develop an analytical stance towards research and scholarship in teaching and learning, and have the opportunity to reflect on their role in the process of education.
In addition to traditional essays, course participants will produce portfolios, reflective journals and evidence studies as they develop an increasingly complex understanding and appreciation of their young students: from perceiving them as adolescents, to thinking about them as active learners in learning environments, to examining the religious education and community systems that support their learning.
The programme also provides a viable career path in teaching within religious education and secular contexts for those qualified members of the Ismaili community who wish to make a significant contribution to the education of young students.
In addition to traditional essays, course participants will produce portfolios, reflective journals and evidence studies as they develop an increasingly complex understanding and appreciation of their young students: from perceiving them as adolescents, to thinking about them as active learners in learning environments, to examining the religious education and community systems that support their learning.
The programme also provides a viable career path in teaching within religious education and secular contexts for those qualified members of the Ismaili community who wish to make a significant contribution to the education of young students.
The programme is currently open in thirteen countries only; Canada, France, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, UAE, Uganda, UK and the USA. Therefore only individuals from the Ismaili community of these countries are eligible to apply.
Participants will be deployed as teachers in the relevant cities once their three year contracted employment commences.
Participants will be deployed as teachers in the relevant cities once their three year contracted employment commences.
Top of page
The application cycle for Cohort V will open in August 2010. For an application pack, please email step@iis.ac.uk or contact your national ITREB/C STEP Team for more information.
The STEP is a fully-funded scholarship programme. Successful applicants receive accommodation and a living allowance (stipend) for their stay in London. Accommodation and programme-related travel costs are also covered.
For further information, please contact IIS Student Services on: step@iis.ac.uk.
For further information, please contact IIS Student Services on: step@iis.ac.uk.
Last updated: 16/08/2010 17:41