Upper Secondary School Teacher Training in Pedagogy

The goal of this Master’s degree study programme is to prepare teachers to teach pedagogy at secondary schools in the Czech Republic. To this end, graduates are equipped with relevant competencies, obtained by studying specialized theories, pedagogy, and psychology, as well as pedagogical and didactic disciplines with an emphasis on the broader basis in pedagogical theories, pedagogy, and psychology, as well as diagnostics and special pedagogy on the one hand and the application aspects in pedagogy and didactics on the other.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• use their deep knowledge of the discipline
• apply knowledge in the discipline in teaching students in line with the curricula of the secondary school
• draw on a wide range of didactic methods and techniques including the use of ICT at school; approach students in a differentiated way
• manage the teaching process in class, motivate students, and evaluate their performance
• approach students in a differentiated way;
• communicate and cooperate with students, their parents, colleagues and other external subjects efficiently

Graduates can find jobs at any of the secondary schools in the Czech Republic where pedagogy is taught as a subject.

• Secondary school teacher

Practical training is an inseparable part of the study and its culmination. The practical training involves exposure to the classroom as well as getting acquainted with and sometimes even participating in different school activities (such as taking part in school library management under supervision, helping organize practical training and/or leisure-time activities, attending teaching staff meetings where possible, etc.). In this way, students are able to apply all knowledge and skills acquired throughout their study. The practical training also includes feedback from the supervisor – one of the key components of the practical training and a climax of the study in the degree programme. The practical training module is supported with passive participation in classes as a part of the courses in didactics.

The recommended length for a bachelor’s major thesis is 120 000 to 200 000 characters.

Students can choose from two basic types of thesis: A) Theoretical/Empirical thesis containing a research project, B) Theoretical/Applicable thesis (related to teaching pedagogy). The text should keep to the one main topic expressed in the title. It should present the current state of knowledge of the topic. Source literature should be up-to-date and representative. The principal arguments should be cogent. The text should be terminologically consistent and terminology should be appropriate. The thesis should have clear conclusions.

The analysed sample and method used should be sufficiently described. A quantitative or qualitative method should be appropriately selected. The presentation of results should be understandable. The interpretation and discussions should be appropriate and correct. Tables should be done well, and be clear and understandable.

An integral part of the thesis is an illustration of data material collected (in the thesis appendix). For qualitative research, this involves the insertion of three to five pages of interview transcript or field notes; for quantitative research it involves the insertion of three to five scanned filled in questionnaires. The data must be made anonymous, i.e. actual names must be replaced by pseudonyms. Where other research procedures and methods are used, the illustration of data material collected should be consulted with the thesis supervisor.

Text: clearly and logically structured with suitable choice of chapters and meaningful linking of theoretical and application or empirical sections. Major and minor theses are written in first person singular.

Theoretical section: demonstrates the ability to work independently with a representative sample of Czech and foreign language literature, expresses his own substantiated position.

Empirical section: demonstrates the ability to understand the research undertaken, shows methodological consideration and the ability to understandably, meaningfully and clearly present the results of research.

The graduates (or students) of the Master’s Teaching Degree in Pedagogy can carry on to study the qualification programme in Counselling for Education or the Degree Programme in Educational Management, which are also offered at the Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University.