Mentoring Design and Technology Teachers in the Secondary School

Reviews

John Robson, Associate Lecturer D&T, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

There is a real need for this book, given the growth of the number of routes that now exist to gain entry into the teaching profession. In particular, most growth has been seen in school-led schemes. There is a worrying variance in the quality of these. Much of the variance is to be found in the quality of the mentoring being provided. The proposed publication would be a step towards resolving this issue…..and ultimately improving and maintaining the quality of teachers and the teaching of the subject!

I suspect that the market for this type of book to grow, given the growth of school-led teacher training and decline of provision for this in HEIs. Teachers in school require this kind of publication to guide their work in developing quality ITT and to reduce the variance I have already referred to. With fewer academics from HEIs to call upon, I can only see the demand for texts of this kind growing. Of course, the book will also usefully serve the needs of University-based courses (where these exist!) when considering practice in schools

Major strengths and distinctive features:

• • It is a practical guide for mentors
  • Can also be used by trainee teachers, NQTs and potentially more experienced teachers in their own CPD
  • Provides ideas for practical tasks / things to do as part of the mentoring process
  • Daws evidence from research, observation and experience
  • Case studies are used to illuminate issues, ideas and theme
  • Provides a subject focus
  • Can be used across a range of different teacher education providers and schemes
  • Supports the work of the busy teacher in school who has the role of Mentor
  • Inclusion of risk taking in the classroom – moving teachers – moving from pedestrian to innovative practice
  • Access to a range of supporting resources both in the book and from an associated website

Weaknesses and the necessary modifications needed:

• • Mentor as counsellor – the soft skills required
  • Mentor as role model
  • There is much about "What to do". It might be good to include "What not to do"
  • Supporting the weaker trainee. What about how the weaker trainee and providing the appropriate support? I think not enough attention is paid to this and is quite crucial. A strong trainee will succeed anyway - even despite inadequate mentoring. The weakest link is in the mentoring always!

Do you recommend that we should publish this book?

I recommend that you should publish this book. It is long overdue!