Sunday, May 6, 2012

Orot Israel College Featured At a Book Launch Event

by Dr. Shraga Fisherman and Rav Yosef Hershlikovitz – Elkana Campus

Dr. Shraga Fisherman and Rav Yosef Hershlikovitz’s new book, “Lehi’ot Mechanech: Sipurah Shel Michlalah B’Nisui” (“To Be an Educator: The Story of a College Experiment”), describes an innovative six year experiment conducted at Orot Israel College geared to train homeroom teachers. Although the homeroom teacher plays a primary and significant role in student education, little research has been done on training programs for homeroom teachers. The experiment’s goal was to shed light on this topic.
The groundbreaking book was launched at the Mofet Institute. Chaired by Mrs. Lily Russo of the Education Ministry’s Experiments and Projects Division, the launch event included a round table discussion involving educators, school supervisors, principals, teachers from the schools that took part in the experiment, Orot faculty members, and representatives of the Mofet Institute. The panel examined several questions, including: Should homeroom teachers undergo special training? If so, when is the optimal time for this training to be held? And finally, what conclusions can be drawn from the experiment?
The participants all concurred that a homeroom teacher requires specific training. Although a homeroom teacher must possess certain innate personal character traits such as empathy and warmth – these traits are insufficient. Many professional and pedagogical skills must be taught.
However, the participants differed with respect to the question of the ideal time for homeroom teacher training. While some felt that pre-service training is preferable due to trainees’ availability and openness to new ideas, others recommended in-service training after the homeroom teachers’ have the benefits of experience and maturity.
According to the authors, the experiment proved that education students can be taught the critical skills they need to serve as homeroom teachers. In addition, the experiment delved into related issues such as teaching morals and values, pedocentric education and interpersonal communication, and focused on three identity systems: personal identity, spiritual identity, and professional identity.
The Orot Israel College students who took part in the experiment acquired extremely valuable tools which will help them develop both personally and professionally as they pursue their careers as educators in the field.

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