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structure was evolved to maintain school group identity and yet allow
for wider discussion of pertinent issues by more than one school
group. Four themes are discussed in this section.
Responsive structures
The school is seen as a knowledge base for students but one where
active involvement on their part is required to generate and use
the knowledge. This is related to the students* course work as well
as to the variety of courses they follow in the Institute. The
student's personal concerns are emphasised as a basis for profes-
sional knowledge .
The nature of pedagogy
The emphasis is placed upon utilising the 'students’ experiences
whether these are individual or common through the school group.
Located as they are within the school such experiences are essent-
ially active and require a special place within the course.
PGCE in process of teacher education
It is suggested that the PGCE course needs to involve itself broadly
with what students bring to the course.
This affects students’
perceptions and use of knowledge about the school.
Schools themselves
vary and this variation is an important source of learning.
The
course needs to be sensitive to these elements and able to utilise
them for the students’
professional development.
Reflection and theorising
Emphasis is placed upon the level of debate and discussion which
the course provides. Consideration is given to the place of educa-
tional issues within the course. The possible relationship of issues