Graduation ceremony at Levinsky College of Education
Levinsky College President Prof. Lea Kacen and Mr. Azriel Nevo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the College, with President Shimon Peres
Technology is an important teaching tool at Levinsky
Levinsky College of Education has several “firsts” to its credit. Founded 101 years ago, it was the first seminary in Eretz Israel established to train teachers in Hebrew, the newly revived national language. It was also the first to train teachers for early childhood education; the first teacher training institution to go academic, leading the way for others; and the first academic education college to receive accreditation for its graduate programs. Dedicated to training the teachers of the future, the college retains its devotion to the Hebrew language in all its programs, and continues to play a pioneering role in numerous educational fields.
One of Israel’s largest education colleges, Levinsky has trained some 40,000 educators over the years. Of the 5,000 students presently enrolled in the college, most are pursuing various education degrees: B.Ed. and B.Ed. in Music on the undergraduate level, and M.Ed. and M.Teach on the graduate level, while 800 students already have academic degrees and are studying towards teaching certificates. A subsidiary of the Jewish Agency for Israel and founded by the Women’s Division of the New York UJA, Levinsky is unaffiliated politically and welcomes students from all sectors of Israeli society.
Synergizing technology and education
Training students to meet the challenges of teaching in the digital age, Levinsky College has created a center for digital learning. Many of its students carry out their practice teaching in the adjacent Alterman High School, the first all-digital school in Tel Aviv that has completely done away with paper. “Our students are learning to be the teachers of the future. Schoolchildren have been using electronic devices in class under the table. It’s time to put them on the table and use them in all areas of teaching and education,” declared Levinsky’s President, Professor Lea Kacen, who has recently been elected to head the body that represents Israel’s 23 colleges of education.
One of the college’s innovations in this area is a project that incorporates tablets in special education classes. The research that tracked the program showed how significant this tool can be. “Our special education students used tablets to work with children who have communication, language and motor problems. The results were immediate,” Prof. Kacen reported. This program impacted not only the children, but also the teaching staff and parents, too. “Unfortunately, the Ministry of Education is cutting back on the implementation of 21st century programs, such as the ‘computer for every student’ model. But, as in the past, donors can be our partners for furthering the practical work and research involved in this essential move toward integrating technology in education,” Prof. Kacen explained.
Creating a learning community
The partnership model, real partnerships where everyone has a say, is nothing new for Levinsky College. It was at the forefront of transforming the practical teaching component of teacher training into partnerships with local schools. No longer do individual student teachers go into a classroom to teach model lessons and then get critiqued. Now groups of students work in schools with the support of their pedagogical advisors, interacting with the teaching and administrative staff. Veteran teachers learn new methods, and students gain confidence while working together with a team of advisors, including their peers. “This is a win-win situation,” declared Prof. Kacen, in which “a real learning community is created.”
The kindergarten located on the Levinsky College campus is promoting another innovative model that advances ‘mainstreaming,’ a concept that has been long in coming and even longer in implementing. This model integrates two kindergarten classes, regular and special education, for many activities. “They share a common schoolyard, and the doors between the two kindergartens are open,” Prof. Kacen described.
Reaching out
Levinsky has several programs that bring its expertise to Israel’s periphery. Aside from partnering with schools in communities such as Lod, Levinsky has a branch campus in Eilat, which has trained 85% of the teachers presently working in the town. “And most of these teachers stay, as opposed to others, who come and go,” Prof. Kacen pointed out. “Our plan is to expand the Eilat campus, as well as music education around the country, with emphasis on the periphery,” she added.
“Of course, our main Tel Aviv campus is also outgrowing its premises,” she noted. “We have a plan for a music building, which would also serve as a community center for the new neighborhoods that will be built in the area surrounding the campus. We already have the teachers and faculty, and the land; we just need funding.”
Levinsky’s School of Music Education not only prepares teachers to work in Israel’s public school system, but also caters to teachers from the Diaspora and different sectors of Israeli society. “It is the only place in the world that trains ultra-Orthodox women to be music teachers (at the Ron-Shulamit conservatory in Jerusalem),” Prof. Kacen stated with pride.
The School of Music also sponsors “Live Music Encounters,” a program developed in conjunction with Israel’s finest orchestras to expose children, often in outlying areas, to classical music. Orchestra members and Levinsky College students teach them about the instruments and guide them to appreciate the music. The lessons culminate with a trip to a major concert hall. The children are enthralled by the music, and their behavior is exemplary, even if some hum along with the music or pretend to be conducting the orchestra.
Levinsky College recently introduced a new model for teaching music – a choir made up of an entire class. The research that examined the results of this project showed that participation in the choir increased the children’s self-confidence and love of music.
Dream fund
The college is initiating a plan to help meet Israel’s increasing need for more mathematics and science teachers, especially in high schools. “My dream is to establish a fund to support the most outstanding people in these fields, people who would love to teach but cannot afford to leave their lucrative high-tech jobs,” explained Prof. Kacen. After obtaining their teaching credential at Levinsky, they would teach part time and the fund would subsidize their income to the level to which they are accustomed.
“The Ministry of Education cannot implement boutique programs like these. They must be developed from the ground up. Then, after they are proven effective, the Ministry will adopt them,” she stressed. Partnering in these initiatives is a chance to contribute to the next generation of Israel’s students, not only those studying education at Levinksy College, but also the children whom these future teachers will be educating.
Linking Israel and the Diaspora
Levinsky College’s International School is connecting Hebrew teachers in Israel with their counterparts around the world – on campus, in its Ulpan, through exchange programs and joint research, and online. With the emphasis on Hebrew language and culture as well as Jewish studies, the International School offers degree granting programs for overseas students, and special programs in Spanish, English and Russian.
Last year, the college initiated “Lili – Live Ivrit Levinsky International,” a new project that will enrich and empower Hebrew language students all over the world. LiLi makes the Hebrew language come alive in an innovative environment, and strengthens the connection between Israel and Jewish Studies in the Diaspora. It provides an opportunity for Levinsky students to practice their pedagogical training with Hebrew teachers in the Czech Republic, Poland or South America, who may not be trained teachers. Another win-win situation, in Prof. Kacen’s words.
For more information about the Levinsky College of Education, go to: www.levinsky.ac.il, or marketing@levinsky.ac.il.
