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Teacher Education in the 21st Century

Singapore’s Evolution and Innovation

  • Includes the conceptualisation and implementation of Singapore’s Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21) Model

  • Details the implementation process with chapters devoted to different aspects of the TE21 Model

  • Consolidates the research literature leading to the development of the TE21 Model and makes educated predictions regarding the future of teacher education internationally

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Teacher Education Futures: Innovating Policy, Curriculum and Practices

    • Oon-Seng Tan, Woon-Chia Liu, Ee-Ling Low
    Pages 1-9
  3. Championing the Teacher Factor

    • Oon-Seng Tan, Woon-Chia Liu
    Pages 33-43
  4. Underpinning Philosophy of Teacher Education in Singapore: A Values-Driven Paradigm

    • Oon-Seng Tan, Ee-Ling Low, Jasmine B.-Y. Sim
    Pages 45-57
  5. Nurturing Twenty-First Century Educators: An EPIIC Perspective

    • Bee Leng Chua, Stefanie Chye
    Pages 59-76
  6. In Focus: The Role of Education Studies in Teacher Education

    • Kam Ming Lim, Vivien Swee Leng Huan
    Pages 77-106
  7. Preparing Mathematics Teachers in Singapore: The Issue of Mathematics Content Knowledge

    • Eng Guan Tay, Suat Khoh Lim, Weng Kin Ho, Tin Lam Toh
    Pages 107-131
  8. Science Teacher Education for the Changing Landscape

    • Jon Sien Darren Wong, Kim Chwee Daniel Tan, Yew Jin Lee, Tuck Lee Augustine Tan
    Pages 133-153
  9. Developing Thinking Teachers Through Learning Portfolios

    • Woon-Chia Liu, Caroline Koh, Bee Leng Chua
    Pages 173-192
  10. Redesigning and Reconceptualising of Field Experience for Teacher Accreditation

    • Woon-Chia Liu, Geok Chin Ivy Tan, Angela F. L. Wong
    Pages 193-215
  11. Mentoring and School Partnerships

    • Lay Hoon Jessie Png, Woon-Chia Liu
    Pages 217-232
  12. Building Character and Citizenship Through Service Learning

    • Vilma D’Rozario, Soo-Yin Tan, Ava Patricia C. Avila
    Pages 233-252
  13. NIE Learning Space: Physical and Virtual Learning Environment

    • Shanti Divaharan, Philip Wong, Ashley Tan
    Pages 253-265
  14. Quality Assurance in Teacher Education in Singapore

    • Maureen Frances Neihart, Lee Ling
    Pages 283-300
  15. Riding Towards the Future

    • Oon-Seng Tan, Woon-Chia Liu, Ee-Ling Low
    Pages 301-313
  16. Erratum to: Preparing Mathematics Teachers in Singapore: The Issue of Mathematics Content Knowledge

    • Eng Guan Tay, Suat Khoh Lim, Weng Kin Ho, Tin Lam Toh
    Pages E1-E1
  17. Back Matter

    Pages 315-319

About this book

This book examines the evolution and innovation of teacher education in Singapore in the 21st century. It covers teacher education reforms in the conceptualising and implementing of the Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21) Model and discusses curriculum improvements that are aligned to new competencies; values development that re-envision teacher professionalism and calling; pedagogical changes that emphasise self-directed inquiry and technology-enabled learning; strengthened theory–practice linkages and enhanced teaching practices through school partnerships and mentoring; and impactful education research in areas such as assessment and developing teaching competencies, practices and mentoring. Teacher education in Singapore focuses on developing professional leaders in the field of education who are proactive problem-solvers and empowered researchers. It entails a long-term vision of education and an innovative approach to develop teachers with design skills and an inquiring mindset to understand learners in the fast-changing digital and mobile world. This book is aimed at scholars, researchers, policymakers, teacher educators and teachers as well as anyone interested in learning the philosophy behind Singapore’s unique TE21 Model for the 21st century and beyond.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Nanyang Technological University, National Institute of Education, Singapore, Singapore

    Oon-Seng Tan, Woon-Chia Liu, Ee-Ling Low

About the editors

Professor TAN Oon-Seng is Director of NIE. Prior to this, he was Dean of Teacher Education there and spearheaded the Teacher Education for the 21st Century (TE21) Model, which is a major milestone for teacher education both nationally and internationally; President of the Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association (2008–2010) and Vice-President (Asia and Pacific Rim) of the International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology (2008–2011). He is Editor-in-Chief of the Educational Research for Policy & Practice journal and Lead Editor of the Asia Pacific Journal of Education. In 2014, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) by Singapore’s President for his dedication and achievement in the field of education. 


Associate Professor LIU Woon-Chia is Dean of Teacher Education at NIE. She is Associate Professor with the Psychological Studies Academic Group and founding member of NIE’s Motivation in Educational Research Laboratory. She was Associate Dean of Practicum and School Partnerships (2009–2014) and Sub-Dean of Diploma Programme (2008–2009). She co-chaired the Theory-Practice taskforce in NIE’s Programme Review and Enhancement initiative that culminated in the TE21 Model (2008–2009) and the Theory-Practice Core Team, TE21 Implementation Steering Group; was President of the Educational Research Association of Singapore; and represented Singapore in the World Education Research Association (WERA) Council. She is co-convener of the WERA-International Research Network conference.


Professor LOW Ee-Ling is Head of Strategic Planning & Academic Quality at NIE. She is Professor at the English Language & Literature Academic Group and was Associate Dean of Teacher Education (2009–2013). She obtained her PhD in Linguistics (Acoustic Phonetics) from the University of Cambridge under its Overseas Graduate Scholarship. She won a Fulbright Advanced Research Scholarship in 2008, which she spent at Lynch School of Education. She had a leading role in the TE21 Model and NIE’s Strategic Roadmap: Towards 2017. In 2012, she was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) by Singapore’s President. She represents Singapore in Stanford University’s International Teacher Policy Study and Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Global Education Innovation Initiative.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Teacher Education in the 21st Century

  • Book Subtitle: Singapore’s Evolution and Innovation

  • Editors: Oon-Seng Tan, Woon-Chia Liu, Ee-Ling Low

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3386-5

  • Publisher: Springer Singapore

  • eBook Packages: Education, Education (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017

  • License: CC BY

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-10-3384-1Published: 17 February 2017

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-981-10-9860-4Published: 14 July 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-981-10-3386-5Published: 09 February 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 319

  • Number of Illustrations: 25 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Teaching and Teacher Education, Learning & Instruction, Curriculum Studies

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access