Field Training Department, Faculty of Education at IUG, convened a study day titled ” Experiences of Palestinian and Arab Universities in Supervising Field Training During Covid-19 Pandemic”.
Opening Session:
Prof. Elyan Alholi, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said that “the cost of closing schools during Corona pandemic is 90% destructive to students around the world, which led to a setback in children’s ability to read, write, and do simple math, besides decreasing their set of skills and jeopardizing their health and safety. All that has affected universities including applied majors and practical courses.
Prof. Alholi highlighted that field education is the most important in teachers’ preparation and rehabilitation program, as it represents the practical implementation of skills and expertise that students gained in the Faculty of Education. In this respect, IUG initiated emergency plans at the beginning of the pandemic through forming three committees: supreme emergency committee, e-learning committee, and health committee.
Prof. Ibrahim Alastal, Dean of Faculty of Education, stated that the study day holds a significant title because it simulates the essential message of the faculty which is the integrated preparation of students in educational, practical, and value-based aspects. The practical education plays a crucial role in refining the skills and competencies of teachers, and that is the key element of teacher preparation elements in the faculty.
Prof. Alastal added that, the faculty of education pays considerable attention to the practical education included in the program, or evident in instructing students and coordinating with institutions that students are training in.
Prof. Salah Alnaqa, Head of Field Training Department, pointed out that “practical education was easy and accessible in the past, because the teacher’s job was to simplify knowledge and teach it to the students. Currently, with such contemporary challenges and developments, preparing teachers has become more difficult. Field and practical training accommodates modern society developments, carries out divergent functions, and attains all educational goals, because it includes experiences, cultures, and skills of institutions combined in a planned and organized way to upgrade awareness and comprehension levels.
Prof. Alnaqa hinted that the pandemic consequences have affected students, institutions, and the society, depriving them from the field training especially the Palestinian society. The pandemic has led us to rethinking the education process namely in times of crisis, as we need to build a more comprehensive educational system that includes all education requirements to make students able to encounter challenges and continue their education.
First Scientific Session:
In this session, Field Training Department demonstrated its experience in educational supervision at IUG during Covid-19 pandemic, and the following topics were discussed after: “the reality of educational supervision experience at Alaqsa University”, “the American approach of supervising university teachers”, “the reality of electronic educational supervision in the faculty of education at Palestine University during Corona pandemic from teacher and student points of view”, ” international experiences in supervising pre-service teachers during Covid-19 pandemic”, and “the role of universities and schools in improving the field training during emergency times: a suggested proposal”
Second Scientific Session:
In this session, the following topics were discussed: “success degree of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Alquds Open University in implementing practical education programs during Corona pandemic”, ” challenges facing field training supervisors during Corona pandemic- a case of Gaza University students”, ” international experiences in practical training alternatives during Corona pandemic”, ” a suggested strategy for field training and practical education in light of crisis and tendency towards e-learning”,” the quality of e-services provided to field training departments at Palestinian universities during Corona pandemic”, and “blended educational supervision and methods of employing it within practical education departments at Palestinian universities”.
