Research, theory and practice in initial teacher education: new contexts, new challenges

Abstract

In this chapter, I look at the post-Bologna framework by highlighting new contexts and new challenges with regard to the tensions in teacher education curriculum and structure or organisation. Next I will focus on the research dimension in ITE which remains a controversial issue in existing literature. Inquiry-based teacher education has been advocated in more recent literature, but it is far from representing a common approach and it faces various challenges. This chapter also includes a brief overview of the teacher education model at the University of Minho mainly in regard to its approach to practicum in the context of post-Bologna.