- National Institute of Education
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Coordinates: 1°20′57″N 103°40′41″E / 1.3492301°N 103.678124°E
The National Institute of Education (NIE) is an institute of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.
NIE, Singapore, provides all levels of teacher education, from initial teacher education programmes to professional development programmes for in-service teachers and executive leadership programmes for Principals, Departmental Heads and other school leaders. NIE also administers postgraduate programmes that lead to the award of higher degrees in Arts, Education, Physical Education and Science. In addition, NIE also offers part-time programmes that make it possible for current primary level teachers the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Education degree.
Expanding her wings beyond local shores, NIE is also lauded for programmes such as Management and Leadership in Schools (MLS) and Leaders in Education (International) (LEPI) by overseas education leaders.
NIE, Singapore, is a founding member and inaugural chair of the International Alliance of Leading Education Institutes (IALEI), which was first established with seven other world-leading education institutions in August 2007. Currently, the IALEI has seen an inclusion of two new members to the think tank that will influence the education sector globally. Together, they will draw expertise and research in education to generate ideas, identify trends and serve as a collective voice on important educational matters and thus influence policies and practice in education.
The National Institute of Education, Singapore is one of the leading teacher preparation institutions in the world. NIE collaborates with MOE and its schools to transform the teacher preparation system and to ensure it continues to meet changing needs of the education system. NIE also plays an important role in providing education research and research based-pedagogical curriculum and direction to the Ministry and its schools. This is all in line with the mission of the Ministry, which is to mould the future of our nation.
Contents
Programmes
NIE is organised in a programme-driven matrix system comprising two main Programme Offices with 12 supporting Academic Groups. The Office of Teacher Education administers the initial teacher preparation programmes, leading to diploma, degree and postgraduate diploma qualifications, to equip student teachers with the knowledge to lead in the service of learners.
The Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning offers higher degree programmes (master’s and doctoral degrees) as well as a variety of professional development programmes and courses for Singapore teachers ranging from short-courses to leadership programmes to enhance the career pathways of serving teachers and educators.
The Academic Groups of the Institute are:
- Asian Languages and Cultures
- Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
- Early Childhood and Special Needs Education
- English Language and Literature
- Humanities and Social Studies Education
- Learning Sciences and Technologies
- Mathematics and Mathematics Education
- Natural Sciences and Science Education
- Physical Education and Sports Science
- Policy and Leadership Studies
- Psychological Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
The External Programmes Office was set up in October 2005 to act as an educational consultancy to meet the bespoke training requirements of local and international clients. In July 2009, this Office was renamed as NIE International, a private company and a subsidiary of NIE/NTU.
Degrees and Diplomas Awarded by NIE
Diplomas[1]:
- Diploma in Education
- Diploma in Physical Education
- Diploma in Art Education/Music Education/Home Education
- Diploma in Special Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education - PGDE[2]
Undergraduate degrees[3]:
- Bachelor of Arts (Education) - B.A.(Ed.)
- Bachelor of Science (Education) - B.Sc.(Ed.)
- Bachelor of Education - B.Ed.
Higher degrees[4]:
- Master of Arts - M.A. (by coursework or research)
- Master of Science - M.Sc. (by coursework or research)
- Master of Education - M.Ed. (by coursework only)
- Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D.
- Doctor in Education - Ed.D.
Research
NIE has built up substantial research capacity that is of great value to Singapore education. It has laid a strong foundation for educational research that has attracted international attention. The Singapore Government actively supports the Institute in education research and is strongly committed to evidence-based policy development and improved pedagogical practices in schools.
The Office of Education Research (OER) oversees education research across NIE to forge an NIE-wide programme of research, development and innovation. It facilitates the governance, planning, monitoring, quality assurance and dissemination of education research across the Institute.
The office supports four research centres viz the Centre for Research in Pedadogy and Practice, Learning Sciences Laboratory, Centre for International Comparative Studies and UNESCO-NIE Centre for Arts Research in Education.
History
The roots of NIE can be traced back to the Teachers' Training College or TTC that was established in 1950, to meet the pressing need for teachers in Singapore. Between 1950 and 1971, the role of producing teachers was shared by the TTC and the School of Education at the University of Malaya (predecessor of the University of Singapore). TTC entered a new relationship with the University of Singapore in 1971, and resulted in the establishment of IE (Institute of Education) in 1973. The College of Physical Education (CPE) was set up in 1984 by IE to train specialist teachers in Physical Education. In 1991, IE and CPE merged to form NIE or the National Institute of Education. They occupied the campus at Bukit Timah Road, before moving to the main campus of the Nanyang Technological University in 2000[5].
International Recognition
One of NIE’s executive programmes, the Leaders in Education Programme (LEP), has attracted international attention. The six-month programme prepares senior education officers for principalship. NIE received endorsement of its five-year strategic plan by an MOE-appointed International Advisory Panel, comprising academics from overseas universities, in August 2007.
Additionally, Singapore’s education system and teacher education programmes were ranked among the world’s best in a report by McKinsey and Company in September 2007.[6]
Student Clubs
The Trainee Teachers' Club which promotes and safeguards the interests and welfare of student teachers in NIE organises a range of social, sports, cultural and educational activities together with its 13 sub-clubs, namely:
- ASEAN Club
- Bachelor of Arts Club
- Chinese Language Education and Research (CLEAR) Club
- Club Jeux
- DanceFuzion
- English Language and Literature (ELL) Club
- Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Club
- NIE Green Club
- NIE Travel Club
- Physical Education and Sports Science (PESS) Club
- Service Learning Club
- Tamil Language Club
References
- ^ http://www.nie.edu.sg/studynie/initial-teacher-preparation-programme/diploma-education-programmes
- ^ http://www.nie.edu.sg/studynie/admissions/teacher-education-undergraduate-studies/post-graduate-diploma-education-programmes
- ^ http://www.nie.edu.sg/studynie/admissions/teacher-education-undergraduate-studies/degree-programmes
- ^ http://www.nie.edu.sg/studynie/higher-degree-programmes
- ^ http://www.nie.edu.sg/nieweb/about/loadMain.do?id=General%20Info&pid=4325388
- ^ http://www.mckinsey.com/App_Media/Reports/SSO/Worlds_School_Systems_Final.pdf
External links
- National Institute of Education Official website.
- Office of Teacher Education - delivers the Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) programmes that lead to the award of both diplomas and degrees.
- Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning - oversees NIE's higher degree programmes, the professional development of teachers, the training of school leaders and the management of academic research.
- NIE Portal Student Teachers' Portal for news, announcements, content and online services.
- Classroom of the Future COTF, A state-of-the-art facility for ICT learning
- NIE CeL NIE Centre for e-Learning
Categories:- Education in Singapore
- Teacher Education
- Teacher Training Programs
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