Can trainees’ perceptions of the delivery of the foundation subjects & R.E. in Primary Teacher Education be enhanced by using a Three-Lens Model of Delivery?

Abstract

This paper reports on  the findings of a small-scale research project, carried out by a team of teacher educators working in the Primary Foundation Subjects at a university in the North West of England. The team worked together to develop the Three-Lens Model, a teaching model that aimed both to provide a unification of subject delivery across the module whilst splitting subject delivery into three clear areas: subject-“ness” (subject identity), how to teach (pedagogy) and ideas of what to teach (toolbox).

 The paper presents a discussion of the perceived effectiveness of the Three-Lens Model. It gathers data from trainees across a variety of cohorts and programmes within the School of Education who were exposed to the model of delivery for one year and specifically questions how successful it was in providing a cohesive delivery structure and in raising the trainees’ perceptions of the pedagogical element of their training.  The findings suggest that this was a largely successful delivery model which could potentially benefit other training providers.