The Master of Arts in Teacher Education Programme (International) Programme has been developed by Department of Education of the Faculty of Education, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). This programme will be initially offered to Sri Lankan teacher educators, and later offshore.

This new programme builds upon the experience of the OUSL in teacher education. It takes into account the needs of practicing teacher educators in the field. As such, it is very practice oriented in its pedagogical design. A critical and unique feature of this degree programme is its use of authentic learning scenarios to situate the study activities in each course. These learning scenarios have been developed to reflect the kinds of situations that the students are very likely to confront as teacher educators.

The goal of the Master of Arts in Teacher Education (International) programme is to developng teacher educators competencies and practices in relation to the following areas    teaching and learning strategies, including assessment of learning outcomes;design, development, and use of educational technologies in teaching and learning; design, development, and evaluation of curricula and curriculum related activities; management and leadership in teaching, learning, and related educational activities; research and evaluation of teaching, learning, and related educational activities; and teaching as a profession and the professional roles and responsibilities of teachers.

The target group for which the programme is particularly intended consists mainly of teacher educators, serving in institutions under the Ministry of Education and  Faculties/Departments of Education in Universities

Admission Requirements  

A person seeking admission to the programme leading to the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Teacher Education (International) shall be required to have:

• obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from a recognized University, or
• obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and the Post Graduate Diploma in Education from a recognized University, or
• secured any equivalent or higher qualification acceptable to the Senate, AND

• Should be serving as a

i.        Academic staff member of a recognized University, or

ii.       Lecturer of a National College of Education, or

iii.      Lecturer of a Teacher Training College, or

iv.      In-service Teacher Advisor of a Teaching Centre/Ministry of Education/ A Provincial Ministry of  Education, or

v.       Officer engaged in Teacher Education in the National Institute of Education, or

vi.      Principal of a Government/ Government Approved School.

The University may select students for admission from among those deemed to be eligible for admission under the above requirements on the basis of their performance at an interview conducted for the purpose of admission.

This is a fifty-four credit programme consisting of six courses (each worth six of a credit), and a portfolio project (worth eighteen credit).  

In programmes of this kind, as the nature of learning becomes more situated in its context, conventional methods of assessment of learning outcomes become inadequate. These have been replaced by tasks and assessment procedures that can be focussed on the processes of learning, perception, and problem solving. Therefore, in this degree programme all your assessment activities in each one of the courses are based on the tasks that you are required to complete. There are no closed-book or final examinations of any sort in this programme.Each course has a number of assignments, varying from four to six. 
All assignments are compulsory. The total number of marks obtainable for assignments for a course is 100. The pass mark for an assignment is 50 out of 100, and a student is required to obtain a minimum of 50 percent of the marks allocated for each assignment.
However, in the compilation of the final grade for a course, only one restricted pass D⁺(40-44) OR C^- (45-49) is allowed. Two examiners will assess each assignment. In the event of a wide disparity between the marks given by the two examiners for any given assignment a Panel of Examiners at the OUSL will make the final decision. The portfolio project will be assessed in the same manner as the assignments.

Final Performance Grades  

Repeat candidates will not be given a grade higher than a PC. The marks obtained for the course will be added up to decide the final award. A student who obtains a minimum ‘PC’ pass in all courses will be deemed to have passed and will be awarded the Master of Arts in Teacher Education (International) degree.

All students in the MATE (International) programme will receive printed materials comprising a Study Guide and a Resource Pack for all courses. Students will be able to communicate with the academic staff and the tutors via group-based e-mail. Detailed information regarding this online communication facility will be available to students after registration in the programme. Each Study Guide provides you with a very clear idea of how you will progress through each course. A detailed Study Schedule in each course specifies the week-to-week activities you are expected to complete, in order to achieve the final goal. The core study material compiled in the Resource Pack focuses you on the specific tasks that are based on an authentic learning scenario.

All assessment requirements are detailed in this Study Guide. The Resource Pack consisting of essential readings, additional readings, and multimedia resources will be the major support in your learning. In addition, you will be assigned to a local tutor who will guide you and help you in troubleshooting. You are encouraged to collaborate with your peers and regularly communicate with your local tutor.

You may also communicate with the Course Coordinator who will be available via e-mail.Contact sessions with the local tutors, organised at different intervals during your period of study, will provide opportunities for closer interaction. In addition, workshop sessions will also be conducted at your local Study Centre in order to provide you with hands-on experience. Audio-visual materials will be made available at the Study Centres as and when they are developed. You will have access to e-mail and Internet facilities at most of the Study and Regional Centres of the University.

You will have video viewing, reference, and lending facilities available in the main library of the central campus of the OUSL and other collaborating educational institutions.

An important person in your learning environment is your local tutor. This is a person who you
will be able to seek out more readily for help and advice on your studies in this programme.
The local tutor is there to serve as a guide, and to facilitate your learning.

Award of the Degree  

A student who has obtained minimum C passes in all courses will be deemed to have passed and will be awarded the Master of Arts in Teacher Education (International) degree

Programme Co-ordinator:
 Ms. C.Hewapathirana < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >

Course Coordinators:
 ESP 2240 - Porf.G.D.Lekamge < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
 ESP 2241 - Mr. S. S. Zarookdeen  < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
 ESP 2242 - Dr. Shironica Karunanayaka < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
 ESP 2243 - Dr.(Ms)S. Kugamoorthy < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   >
 ESP 2244 - Prof. P. C. P. Jaufar < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   >
 ESP 2245 - Dr. Shironica Karunanayaka < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
 ESP 2646 - Dr. Shironica Karunanayaka < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >