The digitalization of society is still increasing. Training courses also make extensive use of the Internet and e-mail. The computer programs used, such as Blackboard, are becoming increasingly professionalized. Combine this with the shortage of teachers, further internationalization and traffic jam problems and voilà: a digital teacher training course is born. No more long travel times, no more attending lectures and even studying abroad. But what does the DigiPabo actually entail?
What is the DigiPabo?
The DigiPabo is a digital form of a Pabo. The Pabo is a higher vocational education course to become a primary school teacher. In this case, the study can largely be followed digitally, via the internet. It was originally set up for Dutch students who live abroad and want to obtain a Dutch teacher training diploma, but nowadays it is also accessible to students who do not live abroad. Students do not attend lectures and will therefore never meet most teachers in real life. The study can only be followed part-time and is split into a four-year and a two-year variant. Students who already have at least a higher professional education diploma may follow the two-year variant. Previously it was possible to be admitted to the shortened variant by taking an entrance exam, but this has now been abolished.
Because it is a part-time study, it can be combined with a job provided that at least one weekday can be kept free for the internship. It is possible to start in September and February.
How can that be done digitally?
The students are divided into study groups and are assigned a tutor, a mentor. Communication takes place via e-mail and via Blackboard (literal translation: blackboard). Blackboard is already used in many courses to communicate on forums, exchange documents, post news, etc.
Exams are taken four times a year at the university of applied sciences in The Hague. Students who live in the Netherlands will then come to the university. Students abroad may take the exams, under supervision, in their country.
Furthermore, it is mainly based on self-study. The literature to be studied is announced well in advance and students are responsible for the way in which they study it. Digital contact with teachers is possible.
Papers and portfolios are all submitted digitally, by post or email. (Group) presentations are also posted and commented on on the Internet, Blackboard.
Internship
A prospective teacher must of course gain experience in teaching. That is why all students must do an internship. On average it amounts to 1 to 2 days of internship per week. However, this varies per academic year and per variant. Students abroad often do an internship at an international or Dutch school. For students who live in the The Hague region, someone occasionally comes by to watch part of an internship day. The other students occasionally make video recordings of their internships and then send them in.
And then?
After the training, students receive the degree of Bachelor of Education. This diploma entitles you to teach at a primary school and, in some cases, the first years of pre-vocational secondary education. It is possible to follow a master’s degree afterwards or to follow a university course (via a bridging programme).