With the vivid shift in the field of education, especially due to technology, teacher training courses are absolutely worth it in 2024.
To be a successful teacher and impart skills to students efficiently, it’s important to keep up and adapt to new changes in the field, and this goal can be easily achieved by teacher training courses. These courses are designed to train teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their responsibilities, ultimately leading to student success and achieving good grades; and the best part? One does not even need a degree to pursue this career path.
So, this blog will provide you with an answer on how beneficial teacher training courses are in 2024, what career prospects they hold, whether or not they are time and cost-efficient and to kick start what qualifications are required to train as a teacher.
Benefits of Teacher Training Courses
Teacher training courses are widely recognised across the UK but it’s completely natural to ask what benefits these courses provide to teachers and ultimately to students, before enrolling on one.
Here are how teachers can benefit from teacher training courses:
Keeping Up with the Evolution of Education
Not all traditional teaching methods are relevant in today’s fast-paced digital world; with these technological changes in the educational field, teachers must keep themselves up-to-date and relevant to provide the best possible education.
1. Integration of Artificial Intelligence
Today, all of us are familiar with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how no industry remains untouched; and just like other industries, education is no exception. Being a teacher is no easy task; from delivering lessons to grading tests, they have lots of roles and responsibilities to fulfil. With the ease of AI, teachers can analyse a large amount of student data which can accurately identify their strengths and weaknesses and hence provide preferred learning styles accordingly. Additionally, it can automate tasks like grading which frees up valuable time for teachers to focus on other tasks like designing lesson plans and providing helpful feedback to students.
But how do teacher training courses help? By equipping educators with the skills to leverage AI effectively, teacher training courses ensure these advantages translate into practical classroom applications. These courses guide teachers on seamlessly integrating AI tools into their existing curriculum and teaching, maximising more efficient learning and its impact on student learning.
2. Designing Modern Pedagogies
Effective teaching goes beyond just assigning tasks or grading them. It requires the integration of the latest teaching strategies and methodologies. This is where teacher training comes into play. Engaging in these teacher training courses; educators can learn the development of modern pedagogies and methodologies. It can help them design and implement new techniques like project-based learning, flipped classrooms and gamification to implement in the classroom. Ultimately, they have a better idea of which elements of learning to include and when they should be included to make the learning more fun and engaging.
Emotional Intelligence and Well-being of Students
Some skills are never taught in schools but it never makes them less important for students to learn like Emotional Intelligence. This is especially true today, where fostering students’ Emotional Quotient is a growing focus. However, how can teachers effectively guide students in understanding their own emotions and those of others if they haven’t developed strong emotional management themselves?
Teacher training courses are now opting to address EQ on a bigger scale to help teachers understand its importance and management. These courses are a perfect way to learn to openly discuss the EQ and their impact on students. As a result, helping teachers create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable to exlpore and grow emotionally.
Catering to Diverse Learning Styles
All students have a unique learning style, demanding individualised attention in the classroom. Teacher training programs can equip educators with the skills to address this challenge easily. These programs go beyond simply teaching content delivery; their focus is more on incorporating diverse learning styles, ensuring lesson plans are tailored to students’ needs and preferences. This, in turn, develops a deeper engagement and seamless immersion in the learning material. Other than that, they equip teachers with the technical aspects of better student management skills, which are important for creating a classroom environment that caters ultimately to diverse learning styles.
Fostering an Inclusive Environment
Undoubtedly, fostering an inclusive environment is no longer optional, it has become crucial. This ensures all students feel valued, supported, heard and seen, allowing them to thrive and excel in their personal and academic careers.
To effectively integrate this technique, teachers can benefit from training courses which will help them with the tools to navigate diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and individual needs. Through these courses, teachers can learn strategies for differentiated instruction, unconscious bias awareness, and effective communication techniques. This will allow them to create a classroom where every student feels like they belong and can reach their full potential.
How do Teacher Training Courses Offer Practical Teaching Experience?
Teacher training courses usually include practical teaching experience to assist potential teachers in developing the essential skills and confidence required for the classroom in the long run.
For instance, a TTT (Train the Trainer) course is designed for those who are subject matter experts but lack the expertise to transfer their knowledge and skills to others. This suggests that after completing any of the teacher training courses you will be able to observe and train others in a real classroom setting. In this way, along with subject matter expertise, you will gain hands-on experience in planning and delivering classrooms more efficiently.
Do Teacher Training Courses Increase Career Prospects and Earning Potential in 2024?
Certainly! When you are equipped with recognised qualifications or certifications such as PGCE, it allows you to learn comprehensive skills and gain extensive knowledge regarding teaching methodologies and strategies; as a result, it will make you a competitive candidate and set you apart from others for teaching jobs and positions.
Are Teacher Training Courses Expensive and Time-consuming?
When it comes to teacher training courses, the cost and time will depend on how you choose to learn. For example, the cost of enrolling in a PGCE program is higher compared to taking online courses such as the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training also known as DET/DTLLS.
Therefore, it is important to choose a mode of learning that fits your budget. It’s also worth remembering that different learning methods offer different advantages. For instance, e-learning allows you to progress at your own pace, unlike traditional classroom settings. Ultimately, the choice depends on what suits you best.
Do Teachers who Complete Training Courses Experience Higher Job Satisfaction?
Teacher training programmes, besides providing teachers with the opportunity to upskill in their respective fields and pedagogies, also provide them with the required certification to teach in standard schools across the country. Suggesting that, when hunting for teaching job, these teacher training programs will set them apart from the rest of the applicants and provide them with opportunities like better salary packages.
Final Words
Like other fields, the field of education is also constantly changing, and in the year 2024, teacher training courses are essential for educators who want to navigate and adapt to these changes effectively. These courses provide numerous benefits, such as keeping teachers informed about the evolving strategies around teaching and the various learning styles, improving student management skills and promoting an inclusive classroom environment.
Gaining recognised qualifications like a PGCE or a TEFL certification significantly boosts career prospects and earning potential. Qualified teachers are also more competitive and relevant in the job market. While the cost and duration of teacher training courses vary, the investment is more than justified by the increased job satisfaction and the profound fulfilment that comes from delivering high-quality education.
