In the course, a foundation of academic knowledge for prospective Icelandic teachers on Icelandic literature will be laid to prepare them for teaching in primary schools. Emphasis will be placed on developing students as independent readers of various types of literature. Additionally, spoken language, listening, observation, reading, and writing will be addressed on a scholarly basis and through practical tasks. The course will focus on active listening and observation, and students will be trained to communicate their knowledge verbally and to utilize various media to enhance these aspects for themselves.

Contemporary literature for children and adults, as well as narratives in other media such as theater and film, will be discussed. General analytical methods will be employed, and critical reading skills will be developed for comprehension and interpretation. Attention will be given to how texts can provoke discussion on ethical concepts and viewpoints. Furthermore, literary texts will be read with the aim for students to enjoy them and share their reading experience with others.

Students will engage in analyzing the differences between spoken language and written language from a scholarly perspective and practice working with different forms of spoken language and texts in various contexts.

Students will get to know theories about active listening and active viewing and will use varied mediums to enforce these skills within themselves.

Contemporary literature for children and adults will be covered, as well as folk tales and national culture related to them. General methods of analysis will be employed and literacy trained towards understanding and interpretation. It will be emphasized how texts can encourage discussions about ethical terminology and matters. In addition, literary texts will be read enabling the students to enjoy them and share their reading experience with others.

Students will learn to distinguish between spoken and written language in a theoretical manner and get training in working with different types of spoken language and texts on various text levels.

The basic theoretical knowledge of the Icelandic phonology, morphology and syntax will be introduced, focusing on observing language through children’s acquisition and how they build up their inner grammar. In addition, the emphasis will be on the students’ own language, where they will be guided in self-observations as well as looking into other people’s language use.

In this course emphasis will be placed on the practical application of current scholarship in teaching Icelandic. Students will receive training in varied ways and methods to teach Icelandic which are meant to increase understanding and interest in topics in Icelandic. In addition, planning and preparation of teaching and assessment will be discussed.

The course centres on two main components of the teaching of Icelandic, namely writing and grammar. In addition, fundamental pillars of education will be discussed and how students can weave them into their teaching of Icelandic. Emphasis will be on training the students in working with learning outcomes and assessment outcomes for Icelandic and to promote escalation in teaching of the main components of the teaching of Icelandic.

The students get training in how to approach their teaching in a critical manner and to utilize current scholarship. They will also get practice in working critically with existing teaching materials and compare it with the current National Curriculum so as to develop their own teaching and teaching methods. In addition, the integration with other subjects of teaching will be addressed.

It will be addressed how teachers can take into account diverse group of pupils when planning their teaching so the pupils get an opportunity to approach topics in Icelandic according to their own experience and interests.

The contents of the course will be put into connection with on-site education. Students will observe teaching, consider it and evaluate it in accordance with the course’s subject matters.

The course aims for student teachers to acquire knowledge and skills in general pedagogy and the ability to teach students at the compulsory school level.

• The focus is on teaching methods in compulsory schools, the learning environment, and class management, and on discussing what characterizes effective teaching.
• Attention is directed to the characteristics of the age levels of compulsory school and presents ways to stimulate development and meet the different needs of students in an inclusive school.
• Cooperation and communication between students, teamwork, and team teaching by teachers will be discussed, but also the relationship between homes and schools and the participation of parents in their children's education.
• Student teachers receive training in pronunciation and voice protection, expression, and manners.
• With a field study, a student teacher gets practice in planning diverse studies, implementing teaching methods, using information technology, and evaluating his experience.

This course will focus on Icelandic culture and literature in a broad understanding, as well as how both factor into language use and linguistic world of different subjects within the school system.

This will include a discussion of basic concepts of literary theory, discourse analysis and cultural studies, and a variety of methods and media in teaching will be introduced, which can increase understanding and interest among elementary school students in their own culture as well as other cultures. 

Students will have the opportunity to read literary fiction from both past and present and put it into context with their own experiences as well as their future approach to teaching different school subjects.

A variety of texts will be discussed, both fiction as well as practical/didactic texts and recreational texts, with the goal that students realize and appreciate that language is the tool we use in all our daily lives and studies regardless of subject. The deep layers of meaning found in all manner of texts will be analyzed, and students will be given the proper tools to scrutinize texts in their surroundings in an independent and critical manner.

This course will focus on interweaving of different elementary school subjects and how Icelandic is the subject that binds all other subjects together, emphasizing the teacher’s role of teaching in Icelandic, rather than teaching Icelandic as a subject. For this reason a special focus will be placed on how Icelandic provides a base for the teaching of several other subjects, including social studies, mathematics, natural sciences, foreign languages, and not least art subjects, e.g. visual arts and drama.

The main objective of the course is to prepare students for reading, writing and communicating academic texts.

The course will cover various types of scholarly material and its representation. Students will familiarize themselves with different aspects of academic writing and learn to distinguish between different genres. Students will be trained in independent and critical reading of different texts. Copyright, plagiarism, and fake news will also be discussed.

Students will acquire skills in working with academic texts, such as abstracts and summaries and in using sources when writing their own texts. They will also receive instructions in making bibliographies and using citation systems. Students will also be trained in using source material in their own writing and distinguish between their own voice and the source. 

In the course teacher students are introduced to the main goals of teaching mathematics in compulsory schools. The emphasis is both on content and the process of teaching and learning.

Emphasis is put on problem solving and inquiry based approach to learning and teaching. The teacher students will study how different approaches in teaching affect learning. Consideration is given to the role of the teacher and competances to be expected.

Students use ICT in their own learning and in connection with the teaching of mathematics.

The teacher students strengthen their knowledge of selected mathematical topics, including number theory and geometry.

The course also treats numeration systems and basic arithmetic.

Emphasis is put on problem solving and inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching. The teacher students reflect on how different approaches in teaching affect students understanding of mathematical concepts.

An introductory course intended to provide an overview of contemporary ideas and perspectives on learning and instruction and teachers working environments. Major learning theories, trends and issues are introduced which will then be discussed in later courses focusing on learning and the teacher profession.

Important conceptions, concepts and issues covered: Learning theories and research, conditions for learning and teaching, teachers practice theories, learning-learner-learning environment, organisation of learning, instructional planning, curriculum development and collaboration, teachers professionalism and practice theories, legal and regulatory frameworks for compulsory education.

Procedure: Lectures, reflective studies, seminars, individual and group work, projects, interactive lectures, field work and training.

This course aims to provide students with insights into the unique conditions of Danish teaching in Icelandic primary schools. We will explore fundamental concepts and theories related to language acquisition, specifically relevant to foreign language instruction. Additionally, we’ll align academic goals and objectives for Danish teaching in Iceland with theories of language acquisition and foreign language pedagogy. The course also examines how teachers’ learning and language perspectives manifest in Danish as a foreign language classrooms.

The goals of the course are to provide students with opportunities to practice their Danish speaking skills and increase their understanding of the levels and characteristics of spoken language and discourse. Subject areas will include phonetics and Danish pronunciation, rhythm and stress, accents and Danish varieties, differences between spoken and written Danish, and aspects of oral communication and fluency. Students will receive practice in a variety of speech acts and situations (speech events) such as discussions, conversations, presentations, storytelling, and reading aloud.

A historical overview of principles, methods, and best practices of English language teaching. Introduction to the national curriculum of English, teaching materials, and resources. Focus on student-centered teaching, learner autonomy, teacher reflection, and developing a philosophy of teaching.

The National Curriculum Guide will be read and analyzed. Students will have an opportunity to observe and evaluate recorded teaching and they will practice reflecting on their own ideas about teaching and experience of language learning. 

Course work demands active participation and consists of reading, written assignments, discussion, group and individual work, and microteaching.

The course will look in depth at English teaching methods and principles aimed at young learners. Topics include characteristics of young learners, National Curriculum objectives, and teaching and assessment methods, especially those related to listening, speaking, reading, writing, games, songs and creative activities. Students will receive training in lesson planning and integrating English teaching with other subjects.
Course work consists of reading, oral and written assignments, discussions, group work and active participation. The course includes a teaching practice component at primary or middle school levels consisting of classroom observation, practice teaching and a written report. Student teachers will gain experience in creating lessons and activities that take into account young children’s needs and abilities. Students who are exempt from teaching practice (e.g. BA students) will complete an alternative assignment.

Students will learn about the importance of the arts in the education of children and adolescents. The focus will be on expression through visual arts, drama and music. Students will develop creative projects based on their own ideas.

Methods: Numerous workshops based on different teaching methods and various ideas.

Students continue to learn about the importance of the arts in the education of children and adolescents. The focus will be on expression through visual arts, drama and music. Students will develop creative projects based on their own ideas. This course emphasizes cross disciplinary cooperation within the arts subjects.

Methods: Numerous workshops based on different teaching methods and various ideas.

 The main aim of the course is that students become acquainted with various ways of teaching science in compulsory schools, acquire skills in organizing such teaching, and understand its value. Emphasis is on natural science topics that are related to the students' experiences. The focus will be on practical work indoors and outdoors and possibilities in the immediate vicinity of schools. Various ways of studying nature will be introduced, such as an examination of geological phenomena, a plant inspection as well as methods for collecting small animals and an analysis of organisms. Students will gain experience in organizing outdoor lessons. Concepts and theories in chemistry appropriate for prospective compulsory students will be studied with emphasis on pedagogical content knowledge. Students will also be introduced to the opportunities that the use of information technology provides to promote interest and curiosity about nature. The curriculum and learning materials of the compulsory school related to the subject of the course will also be examined.

The course will examine the structure of chemicals, chemical changes, atomic theory and the periodic table. Also nature of Iceland including plants, birds, small animals, freshwater and beach organisms with an emphasis on their habitat and adaptation to the Icelandic environment. The sea around Iceland and the factors that shape the ecosystem in Icelandic waters will be discussed. In addition, the internal (volcanic activity) and external forces (climate and water) that shape the country's environment will be discussed.

The aim of the course is for students to strengthen their knowledge of the pedagogy of natural sciences and field work in compulsory school is a part of the course. The role of teachers in learning of natural sciences will be examined.  Special attention will be paid to practical work and pupil’s everyday ideas. Possibilities for outdoor learning will be explored along with opportunities offered by virtual environments. 

The natural science topics covered in this course within the field of physical sciences include thermal energy and temperature, heat transfer, utilization of thermal energy, and energy processes related to chemical changes. The geoscience topics addressed in the course include, on the one hand, the effects of internal and external forces on the shaping of the Earth's surface, and on the other hand, the practical applications of geosciences in sustainable resource utilization and environmental monitoring.

Content: The course is an introduction to the teaching of social sciences with an emphasis on the training of discussions, critical thinking and the ability to look at different points of view. Emphasis is on active reflection, where students take a critical look at their presumptions  on various issues. It also gives insights into various topics that are a part of social science teaching (cf. the national curriculum).

Methods: According to the timetable, discussions and project work occur during lessons in real-time on Zoom. Argumentation assignments will be done in connection to the lectures. Additionally there will be compulsory discussions each week (80%). Students can choose between discussions in Stakkahlíð or in realtime on Zoom. 

Course topics: The aim of the course is for participants to become aware of diverse factors that influence people‘s views of life and make them better prepared to teach social sciences. Three views will be dealt with. First is the personal and individual, then the common, social and structural. Then the relations of the personal and the common one with international agreements like United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the course questions of how these appear in the structure and content of school work will be asked, e.g. with regard to the national curriculum. In the course themes related to people‘s views of life will be discussed using questions of moralty, religion, societal views and government, families and people‘s local/domestic environment, and how rights and obligations form people‘s vision.

Working methods: The course is organised in two week rounds, each focusing on one theme. Lectures will be available online and reading material provided as links or pdf-documents. Final exam counts as 40% and assignments (e.g. written ones and online quizzes) count as 60%. The course in taught in weekly sessions on-line

The course is an introduction to design and craft education: Design and woodwork, Textiles and design and Health promotion and home economics. Project ideas are adapted to different subjects of the course. Emphasis is placed on knowledge and skills aspects from idea to completion in all work components of the course. Students work on subjects that are suitable for school work and record work processes in photographs, drawings and in text form.

The aim is to prepare student teachers for field studies in design and crafts subjects with an emphasis on pedagogical aspects. In project selection, students take into account the basic elements of education and the learning standards of a subject in the National Curriculum Guide for Compulsory Schools. In the processing of projects, emphasis is placed on creative and professional work methods. Students receive training in the preparation of syllabi, become acquainted with various teaching methods and compare different assessment methods in design and crafts subjects. Students keep a guidebook and present their experiences from the field.

The course will cover selected topics from classical geometry, analytical geometry and algebra. Software used in teaching and learning algebra and geometry will be introduced.

Basic topics from Euclidean geometry will be covered; concepts, axioms and postulates on parallel lines, polygons and circles. Simple constructions with circle and ruler. Selected topics from analytical geometry e.g. the equation of a circle, solutions of linear equations and equation systems, second degree equations, absolute value equations and inequalities.

The software GeoGebra will be used for visualization, making conjectures, constructions and drawings.

The topics of study are the aims of mathematics teaching in compulsory school, mathematical competence and the organisation of mathematics teaching in compulsory school. The national curriculum and textbooks are examined and analyzed. Special consideration is given to how students acquire competence to communicate and apply mathematics. Attention is directed to the importance of continuity in learning where main ideas become clearer and richer with time. Students learn to plan for mathematics lessons that take into account the needs of all students. Equity and students' access to mathematics education will be discussed. Students try out different ways of teaching and emphasis is placed on the use of diverse media and learning materials. Based on their experience in the field, students reflect on their teaching, their choice of teaching conten, the role of the teacher and communication with students and communication between students. Emphasis is placed on diverse learning environments and teaching methods based on research into mathematics learning and teaching.

The main focus of the course will be on the teaching of natural and social sciences and how these subjects can be integrated through the Storyline approach. Special issues and tasks will be chosen within nature and social sciences and integrated with other subject areas. Teaching material, equipment and teaching environment that supports learning and teaching will be explored and appropriate assessment methods will be introduced and discussed. Students will learn to apply information technology tools and a creative approach in teaching and learning.

The aim of the course is to cover the main concepts in mathematics learning in primary school. Students explore what it means to do mathematics and developing understanding in mathematics. They learn to plan mathematics teaching in problem based environment using information technology and plan assessment into instruction.

The course will aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the developmental changes that take place from birth through adolescence.

Content:
The course will cover a broad range of developmental changes during different phases of childhood and adolescence, and theories that describe and explain those changes. Theories of cognitive development, emotional and social development, the development of self, and moral development will be discussed. The approaches of behaviourism and ecological theory will also be highlighted. The origins and nature of individual differences, continuity and discontinuity of development, as well as plasticity of development will be discussed. The interaction between development and learning, motivation, parenting practices, culture, and different social environments will be addressed. A strong emphasis will be placed on the importance of understanding child development when working with children in applied settings.

Procedure:
The course will consist of lectures and recitations. Students' will have a chance to discuss the topics of the course and deepen their understanding of the age group they plan to focus on during their studies and work.

The course is designed to expose students to perspectives on curriculum development and assessment in compulsory education. The following educational process is emphasized:

Students discuss and learn about basic concepts and issues related to assessment and curriculum development in compulsory education. Issues and ideologies reflected in official curricula, law, directives, and other policy briefings are discussed both theoretically and in praxis. Special focus is laid on the role of teachers in curriculum development and assessment, and alternatively their professional role in developing learning programs for groups of pupils as well as individual pupils with special needs. Nature, purpose, and strategies regarding assessment and curriculum are addressed (cf. formative assessment, summative assessment, writing test items and other test instruments, and marking and reporting). Students discuss and learn about controversial issues and different ideological currents concerning central questions about the purpose and aims of compulsory education. Key questions discussed are: What should be the purpose of the school, what should be taught and assessed in compulsory schools, how and why? What counts as legitimate knowledge and competence, and how should we administer and organize compulsory education.

The working process of the course consists of lectures, field-related assignments, and critical discussion through seminars and group assignments

The course will cover Icelandic literature from 1900 to the present with a focus on the interaction between literature, history and society.

The role of literature in the construction of national identity in 20th century Iceland will be explored, from the beginning of the century when Icelandic literature became increasingly international to the multicultural and diversified literary culture of the present.

Icelandic literature is interwoven with the literature of other cultures. In the course, Icelandic literature will be put in an international context.

Literature and its interpretation were a key element in the construction of Icelandic nationality in the period. The school system and teaching of literature within that system were an important feature in this identity construction and special attention will be paid to this aspect of literary history.

The main themes of Icelandic literature of the period will be discussed in lectures and in student’s assignments. Among the themes are political literature and class struggle, the country and the city, and increased diversity and visibility of minorities in Icelandic literature and society in the last decades,

Particular attention will be paid to the new trends in Icelandic literary culture, new genres, children’s literature, new and old forms of poetry and the interaction between literature and other art forms.
In student’s assignments, an emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to communicate their knowledge to different age groups and to connect the pupils’ everyday reality to literature and literary history.

Film, internet resources and other new media will form a part of the class as the period in question is characterized by new technologies which have influenced literature and culture in various ways.

Teaching will be conducted through lectures, group assignment’s and individual assignments.

Field. The main goal is to strengthen the Students‘ knowledge on this subject in schools and teaching.

Input / subject
• Students read a varied texts on language and literature.
• They discuss the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with laws and regulations relating to Icelandic in elementary school and curriculums.
• They deal with a variety of teaching, curriculum and assessment in the teaching sector Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get good experience of preparing and implementing teaching in central and youth in grammar and literature.

The course will focus on the Icelandic language and its use in writing and in films. The students’ work will include creative writing different genres, creative reading and new ways of mediation. All the activities aim at preparing the students for their future work. The concept „creativity“ is discussed and defined in the course. The three aspects of it which do matter for teachers are emphasised, i.e. the creative teacher, creativity in writing assignments and the activation of the creative abilities of the students. The activities in the classroom will mainly be through work on assignments and discussion.

The course covers a selection of Icelandic literature from the start of settlement and to the end of the 19th century and examines the suitability of the texts for various stages of education. Students will familiarise themselves with school editions and resources on medieval literature, but will also look at the overall impression of the genre.
In addition the course will cover how literature became the cornerstone of the Icelandic national identity in the 19th century. The students will consider the ideology of 19th century literature along with the period‘s views on nature, history and connection to the present. The course will also cover the national poets of Iceland and their place in the cultural conscious.
There will be a special emphasis on the connection of literature to national culture. Icelandic culture is paralell to the culture of other European nations, and the connection between Iceland and the outside world in a rapidly developing western civilisation will be discussed. Various types of resources will be used, including film and other visual materials connected to major literary works. Instruction is in the form of lectures, assignments and creative work.

The main goal is to that students exceeds knowledge of field work in Icelandic and teaching, as well as strengthening Icelandic language as a teacher and pupils‘ model.

Input / subject

• Reading a varied texts on language and literature.
• Discussing the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with the National Curriculum.
• Discussing the curriculum and teaching methods in the teaching sector in Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get a good insight into the teaching sector in Icelandic.

Work
Lectures and project work. Emphasis is placed on student studying his open and active mind.

The main aim of this course is to make the students understand how language use varies depending on the situation and the group and how this can be addressed in the classroom. 

The vocabulary and it’s three levels will be addressed, as well as word order and other features which characterize different registers, which depend on the situation, both when it comes to spoken and written language. Students will get a special training in analysing texts linguistically and how to work with varied text types in the classroom. 

Sociolinguistics will be on the agenda where social dialects will especially be addressed, i.e., the language use of different groups. The language use of teenagers will be discussed in particular, what its special features are and how it can be utilized in teaching to describe the nature of the language in general. 

Many types of methods and approaches in teaching Icelandic will be addressed and students get training in teaching specific topics. Many questions and problems will be discussed which always surface in connection with language and language use and the challenges facing teachers when teaching in the multicultural modern society. 

The acquisition of language sheds light on the nature and structural make-up of language, i.e., our internalized grammatical system. This course focuses on the intrinsic properties of this internal grammar, from its smallest units to the largest ones, viewed through child language acquisition.

Emphasis will be placed on introducing the structure of our internal grammar and the major concepts necessary to be able to discuss grammar and explain its characteristics. Theories on language acquisition as a process will be reviewed with the aim of enabling students to understand what knowing a language entails and what it means to have a feeling for it. The effect of different inputs in the language environment on the grammar we eventually acquire will also be discussed, both as regards the sheer quantity or type of the input, e.g., voice vs. sign languages or Icelandic as a first or second language.

The basic concepts to be discussed in the course will be measured against recent research findings, teaching materials and educational aims in grammar teaching. The main focus will be on language acquisition and its wonders as a new approach in grammar teaching and in the development of new assignments.

Subjects:

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
• Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

The B.Ed. thesis in teaching is a 10 ECTS credit written thesis completed under supervision of a faculty member.

The course is designed to expose students with two main perspectives on educational research. On the one hand methodology related to data collection and data analysis, on the other hand reading and discussing educational research conducted by others. In all sections of the course an emphasis is placed on knowing and understanding concepts and ideas from educational research; students read about them, discuss and apply them in tasks connected to quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods. They also discuss and apply concepts related to action research.

The course comprises lectures, discourse, student presentations and field-related assignments.

The acquisition of language sheds light on the nature and structural make-up of language, i.e., our internalized grammatical system. This course focuses on the intrinsic properties of this internal grammar, from its smallest units to the largest ones, viewed through child language acquisition.

Emphasis will be placed on introducing the structure of our internal grammar and the major concepts necessary to be able to discuss grammar and explain its characteristics. Theories on language acquisition as a process will be reviewed with the aim of enabling students to understand what knowing a language entails and what it means to have a feeling for it. The effect of different inputs in the language environment on the grammar we eventually acquire will also be discussed, both as regards the sheer quantity or type of the input, e.g., voice vs. sign languages or Icelandic as a first or second language.

The basic concepts to be discussed in the course will be measured against recent research findings, teaching materials and educational aims in grammar teaching. The main focus will be on language acquisition and its wonders as a new approach in grammar teaching and in the development of new assignments.

Subjects:

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
• Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

The main aim of this course is to make the students understand how language use varies depending on the situation and the group and how this can be addressed in the classroom. 

The vocabulary and it’s three levels will be addressed, as well as word order and other features which characterize different registers, which depend on the situation, both when it comes to spoken and written language. Students will get a special training in analysing texts linguistically and how to work with varied text types in the classroom. 

Sociolinguistics will be on the agenda where social dialects will especially be addressed, i.e., the language use of different groups. The language use of teenagers will be discussed in particular, what its special features are and how it can be utilized in teaching to describe the nature of the language in general. 

Many types of methods and approaches in teaching Icelandic will be addressed and students get training in teaching specific topics. Many questions and problems will be discussed which always surface in connection with language and language use and the challenges facing teachers when teaching in the multicultural modern society. 

The course will focus on the Icelandic language and its use in writing and in films. The students’ work will include creative writing different genres, creative reading and new ways of mediation. All the activities aim at preparing the students for their future work. The concept „creativity“ is discussed and defined in the course. The three aspects of it which do matter for teachers are emphasised, i.e. the creative teacher, creativity in writing assignments and the activation of the creative abilities of the students. The activities in the classroom will mainly be through work on assignments and discussion.

The main goal is to that students exceeds knowledge of field work in Icelandic and teaching, as well as strengthening Icelandic language as a teacher and pupils‘ model.

Input / subject

• Reading a varied texts on language and literature.
• Discussing the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with the National Curriculum.
• Discussing the curriculum and teaching methods in the teaching sector in Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get a good insight into the teaching sector in Icelandic.

Work
Lectures and project work. Emphasis is placed on student studying his open and active mind.

The course will cover Icelandic literature from 1900 to the present with a focus on the interaction between literature, history and society.

The role of literature in the construction of national identity in 20th century Iceland will be explored, from the beginning of the century when Icelandic literature became increasingly international to the multicultural and diversified literary culture of the present.

Icelandic literature is interwoven with the literature of other cultures. In the course, Icelandic literature will be put in an international context.

Literature and its interpretation were a key element in the construction of Icelandic nationality in the period. The school system and teaching of literature within that system were an important feature in this identity construction and special attention will be paid to this aspect of literary history.

The main themes of Icelandic literature of the period will be discussed in lectures and in student’s assignments. Among the themes are political literature and class struggle, the country and the city, and increased diversity and visibility of minorities in Icelandic literature and society in the last decades,

Particular attention will be paid to the new trends in Icelandic literary culture, new genres, children’s literature, new and old forms of poetry and the interaction between literature and other art forms.
In student’s assignments, an emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to communicate their knowledge to different age groups and to connect the pupils’ everyday reality to literature and literary history.

Film, internet resources and other new media will form a part of the class as the period in question is characterized by new technologies which have influenced literature and culture in various ways.

Teaching will be conducted through lectures, group assignment’s and individual assignments.

The course covers a selection of Icelandic literature from the start of settlement and to the end of the 19th century and examines the suitability of the texts for various stages of education. Students will familiarise themselves with school editions and resources on medieval literature, but will also look at the overall impression of the genre.
In addition the course will cover how literature became the cornerstone of the Icelandic national identity in the 19th century. The students will consider the ideology of 19th century literature along with the period‘s views on nature, history and connection to the present. The course will also cover the national poets of Iceland and their place in the cultural conscious.
There will be a special emphasis on the connection of literature to national culture. Icelandic culture is paralell to the culture of other European nations, and the connection between Iceland and the outside world in a rapidly developing western civilisation will be discussed. Various types of resources will be used, including film and other visual materials connected to major literary works. Instruction is in the form of lectures, assignments and creative work.

Field. The main goal is to strengthen the Students‘ knowledge on this subject in schools and teaching.

Input / subject
• Students read a varied texts on language and literature.
• They discuss the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with laws and regulations relating to Icelandic in elementary school and curriculums.
• They deal with a variety of teaching, curriculum and assessment in the teaching sector Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get good experience of preparing and implementing teaching in central and youth in grammar and literature.

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
•  Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues and equality.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

In the course, a foundation of academic knowledge for prospective Icelandic teachers on Icelandic literature will be laid to prepare them for teaching in primary schools. Emphasis will be placed on developing students as independent readers of various types of literature. Additionally, spoken language, listening, observation, reading, and writing will be addressed on a scholarly basis and through practical tasks. The course will focus on active listening and observation, and students will be trained to communicate their knowledge verbally and to utilize various media to enhance these aspects for themselves.

Contemporary literature for children and adults, as well as narratives in other media such as theater and film, will be discussed. General analytical methods will be employed, and critical reading skills will be developed for comprehension and interpretation. Attention will be given to how texts can provoke discussion on ethical concepts and viewpoints. Furthermore, literary texts will be read with the aim for students to enjoy them and share their reading experience with others.

Students will engage in analyzing the differences between spoken language and written language from a scholarly perspective and practice working with different forms of spoken language and texts in various contexts.

Students will get to know theories about active listening and active viewing and will use varied mediums to enforce these skills within themselves.

Contemporary literature for children and adults will be covered, as well as folk tales and national culture related to them. General methods of analysis will be employed and literacy trained towards understanding and interpretation. It will be emphasized how texts can encourage discussions about ethical terminology and matters. In addition, literary texts will be read enabling the students to enjoy them and share their reading experience with others.

Students will learn to distinguish between spoken and written language in a theoretical manner and get training in working with different types of spoken language and texts on various text levels.

The basic theoretical knowledge of the Icelandic phonology, morphology and syntax will be introduced, focusing on observing language through children’s acquisition and how they build up their inner grammar. In addition, the emphasis will be on the students’ own language, where they will be guided in self-observations as well as looking into other people’s language use.

In this course emphasis will be placed on the practical application of current scholarship in teaching Icelandic. Students will receive training in varied ways and methods to teach Icelandic which are meant to increase understanding and interest in topics in Icelandic. In addition, planning and preparation of teaching and assessment will be discussed.

The course centres on two main components of the teaching of Icelandic, namely writing and grammar. In addition, fundamental pillars of education will be discussed and how students can weave them into their teaching of Icelandic. Emphasis will be on training the students in working with learning outcomes and assessment outcomes for Icelandic and to promote escalation in teaching of the main components of the teaching of Icelandic.

The students get training in how to approach their teaching in a critical manner and to utilize current scholarship. They will also get practice in working critically with existing teaching materials and compare it with the current National Curriculum so as to develop their own teaching and teaching methods. In addition, the integration with other subjects of teaching will be addressed.

It will be addressed how teachers can take into account diverse group of pupils when planning their teaching so the pupils get an opportunity to approach topics in Icelandic according to their own experience and interests.

The contents of the course will be put into connection with on-site education. Students will observe teaching, consider it and evaluate it in accordance with the course’s subject matters.

The course aims for student teachers to acquire knowledge and skills in general pedagogy and the ability to teach students at the compulsory school level.

• The focus is on teaching methods in compulsory schools, the learning environment, and class management, and on discussing what characterizes effective teaching.
• Attention is directed to the characteristics of the age levels of compulsory school and presents ways to stimulate development and meet the different needs of students in an inclusive school.
• Cooperation and communication between students, teamwork, and team teaching by teachers will be discussed, but also the relationship between homes and schools and the participation of parents in their children's education.
• Student teachers receive training in pronunciation and voice protection, expression, and manners.
• With a field study, a student teacher gets practice in planning diverse studies, implementing teaching methods, using information technology, and evaluating his experience.

This course will focus on Icelandic culture and literature in a broad understanding, as well as how both factor into language use and linguistic world of different subjects within the school system.

This will include a discussion of basic concepts of literary theory, discourse analysis and cultural studies, and a variety of methods and media in teaching will be introduced, which can increase understanding and interest among elementary school students in their own culture as well as other cultures. 

Students will have the opportunity to read literary fiction from both past and present and put it into context with their own experiences as well as their future approach to teaching different school subjects.

A variety of texts will be discussed, both fiction as well as practical/didactic texts and recreational texts, with the goal that students realize and appreciate that language is the tool we use in all our daily lives and studies regardless of subject. The deep layers of meaning found in all manner of texts will be analyzed, and students will be given the proper tools to scrutinize texts in their surroundings in an independent and critical manner.

This course will focus on interweaving of different elementary school subjects and how Icelandic is the subject that binds all other subjects together, emphasizing the teacher’s role of teaching in Icelandic, rather than teaching Icelandic as a subject. For this reason a special focus will be placed on how Icelandic provides a base for the teaching of several other subjects, including social studies, mathematics, natural sciences, foreign languages, and not least art subjects, e.g. visual arts and drama.

The main objective of the course is to prepare students for reading, writing and communicating academic texts.

The course will cover various types of scholarly material and its representation. Students will familiarize themselves with different aspects of academic writing and learn to distinguish between different genres. Students will be trained in independent and critical reading of different texts. Copyright, plagiarism, and fake news will also be discussed.

Students will acquire skills in working with academic texts, such as abstracts and summaries and in using sources when writing their own texts. They will also receive instructions in making bibliographies and using citation systems. Students will also be trained in using source material in their own writing and distinguish between their own voice and the source. 

In the course teacher students are introduced to the main goals of teaching mathematics in compulsory schools. The emphasis is both on content and the process of teaching and learning.

Emphasis is put on problem solving and inquiry based approach to learning and teaching. The teacher students will study how different approaches in teaching affect learning. Consideration is given to the role of the teacher and competances to be expected.

Students use ICT in their own learning and in connection with the teaching of mathematics.

The teacher students strengthen their knowledge of selected mathematical topics, including number theory and geometry.

The course also treats numeration systems and basic arithmetic.

Emphasis is put on problem solving and inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching. The teacher students reflect on how different approaches in teaching affect students understanding of mathematical concepts.

An introductory course intended to provide an overview of contemporary ideas and perspectives on learning and instruction and teachers working environments. Major learning theories, trends and issues are introduced which will then be discussed in later courses focusing on learning and the teacher profession.

Important conceptions, concepts and issues covered: Learning theories and research, conditions for learning and teaching, teachers practice theories, learning-learner-learning environment, organisation of learning, instructional planning, curriculum development and collaboration, teachers professionalism and practice theories, legal and regulatory frameworks for compulsory education.

Procedure: Lectures, reflective studies, seminars, individual and group work, projects, interactive lectures, field work and training.

This course aims to provide students with insights into the unique conditions of Danish teaching in Icelandic primary schools. We will explore fundamental concepts and theories related to language acquisition, specifically relevant to foreign language instruction. Additionally, we’ll align academic goals and objectives for Danish teaching in Iceland with theories of language acquisition and foreign language pedagogy. The course also examines how teachers’ learning and language perspectives manifest in Danish as a foreign language classrooms.

The goals of the course are to provide students with opportunities to practice their Danish speaking skills and increase their understanding of the levels and characteristics of spoken language and discourse. Subject areas will include phonetics and Danish pronunciation, rhythm and stress, accents and Danish varieties, differences between spoken and written Danish, and aspects of oral communication and fluency. Students will receive practice in a variety of speech acts and situations (speech events) such as discussions, conversations, presentations, storytelling, and reading aloud.

A historical overview of principles, methods, and best practices of English language teaching. Introduction to the national curriculum of English, teaching materials, and resources. Focus on student-centered teaching, learner autonomy, teacher reflection, and developing a philosophy of teaching.

The National Curriculum Guide will be read and analyzed. Students will have an opportunity to observe and evaluate recorded teaching and they will practice reflecting on their own ideas about teaching and experience of language learning. 

Course work demands active participation and consists of reading, written assignments, discussion, group and individual work, and microteaching.

The course will look in depth at English teaching methods and principles aimed at young learners. Topics include characteristics of young learners, National Curriculum objectives, and teaching and assessment methods, especially those related to listening, speaking, reading, writing, games, songs and creative activities. Students will receive training in lesson planning and integrating English teaching with other subjects.
Course work consists of reading, oral and written assignments, discussions, group work and active participation. The course includes a teaching practice component at primary or middle school levels consisting of classroom observation, practice teaching and a written report. Student teachers will gain experience in creating lessons and activities that take into account young children’s needs and abilities. Students who are exempt from teaching practice (e.g. BA students) will complete an alternative assignment.

Students will learn about the importance of the arts in the education of children and adolescents. The focus will be on expression through visual arts, drama and music. Students will develop creative projects based on their own ideas.

Methods: Numerous workshops based on different teaching methods and various ideas.

Students continue to learn about the importance of the arts in the education of children and adolescents. The focus will be on expression through visual arts, drama and music. Students will develop creative projects based on their own ideas. This course emphasizes cross disciplinary cooperation within the arts subjects.

Methods: Numerous workshops based on different teaching methods and various ideas.

 The main aim of the course is that students become acquainted with various ways of teaching science in compulsory schools, acquire skills in organizing such teaching, and understand its value. Emphasis is on natural science topics that are related to the students' experiences. The focus will be on practical work indoors and outdoors and possibilities in the immediate vicinity of schools. Various ways of studying nature will be introduced, such as an examination of geological phenomena, a plant inspection as well as methods for collecting small animals and an analysis of organisms. Students will gain experience in organizing outdoor lessons. Concepts and theories in chemistry appropriate for prospective compulsory students will be studied with emphasis on pedagogical content knowledge. Students will also be introduced to the opportunities that the use of information technology provides to promote interest and curiosity about nature. The curriculum and learning materials of the compulsory school related to the subject of the course will also be examined.

The course will examine the structure of chemicals, chemical changes, atomic theory and the periodic table. Also nature of Iceland including plants, birds, small animals, freshwater and beach organisms with an emphasis on their habitat and adaptation to the Icelandic environment. The sea around Iceland and the factors that shape the ecosystem in Icelandic waters will be discussed. In addition, the internal (volcanic activity) and external forces (climate and water) that shape the country's environment will be discussed.

The aim of the course is for students to strengthen their knowledge of the pedagogy of natural sciences and field work in compulsory school is a part of the course. The role of teachers in learning of natural sciences will be examined.  Special attention will be paid to practical work and pupil’s everyday ideas. Possibilities for outdoor learning will be explored along with opportunities offered by virtual environments. 

The natural science topics covered in this course within the field of physical sciences include thermal energy and temperature, heat transfer, utilization of thermal energy, and energy processes related to chemical changes. The geoscience topics addressed in the course include, on the one hand, the effects of internal and external forces on the shaping of the Earth's surface, and on the other hand, the practical applications of geosciences in sustainable resource utilization and environmental monitoring.

Content: The course is an introduction to the teaching of social sciences with an emphasis on the training of discussions, critical thinking and the ability to look at different points of view. Emphasis is on active reflection, where students take a critical look at their presumptions  on various issues. It also gives insights into various topics that are a part of social science teaching (cf. the national curriculum).

Methods: According to the timetable, discussions and project work occur during lessons in real-time on Zoom. Argumentation assignments will be done in connection to the lectures. Additionally there will be compulsory discussions each week (80%). Students can choose between discussions in Stakkahlíð or in realtime on Zoom. 

Course topics: The aim of the course is for participants to become aware of diverse factors that influence people‘s views of life and make them better prepared to teach social sciences. Three views will be dealt with. First is the personal and individual, then the common, social and structural. Then the relations of the personal and the common one with international agreements like United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the course questions of how these appear in the structure and content of school work will be asked, e.g. with regard to the national curriculum. In the course themes related to people‘s views of life will be discussed using questions of moralty, religion, societal views and government, families and people‘s local/domestic environment, and how rights and obligations form people‘s vision.

Working methods: The course is organised in two week rounds, each focusing on one theme. Lectures will be available online and reading material provided as links or pdf-documents. Final exam counts as 40% and assignments (e.g. written ones and online quizzes) count as 60%. The course in taught in weekly sessions on-line

The course is an introduction to design and craft education: Design and woodwork, Textiles and design and Health promotion and home economics. Project ideas are adapted to different subjects of the course. Emphasis is placed on knowledge and skills aspects from idea to completion in all work components of the course. Students work on subjects that are suitable for school work and record work processes in photographs, drawings and in text form.

The aim is to prepare student teachers for field studies in design and crafts subjects with an emphasis on pedagogical aspects. In project selection, students take into account the basic elements of education and the learning standards of a subject in the National Curriculum Guide for Compulsory Schools. In the processing of projects, emphasis is placed on creative and professional work methods. Students receive training in the preparation of syllabi, become acquainted with various teaching methods and compare different assessment methods in design and crafts subjects. Students keep a guidebook and present their experiences from the field.

The course will cover selected topics from classical geometry, analytical geometry and algebra. Software used in teaching and learning algebra and geometry will be introduced.

Basic topics from Euclidean geometry will be covered; concepts, axioms and postulates on parallel lines, polygons and circles. Simple constructions with circle and ruler. Selected topics from analytical geometry e.g. the equation of a circle, solutions of linear equations and equation systems, second degree equations, absolute value equations and inequalities.

The software GeoGebra will be used for visualization, making conjectures, constructions and drawings.

The topics of study are the aims of mathematics teaching in compulsory school, mathematical competence and the organisation of mathematics teaching in compulsory school. The national curriculum and textbooks are examined and analyzed. Special consideration is given to how students acquire competence to communicate and apply mathematics. Attention is directed to the importance of continuity in learning where main ideas become clearer and richer with time. Students learn to plan for mathematics lessons that take into account the needs of all students. Equity and students' access to mathematics education will be discussed. Students try out different ways of teaching and emphasis is placed on the use of diverse media and learning materials. Based on their experience in the field, students reflect on their teaching, their choice of teaching conten, the role of the teacher and communication with students and communication between students. Emphasis is placed on diverse learning environments and teaching methods based on research into mathematics learning and teaching.

The main focus of the course will be on the teaching of natural and social sciences and how these subjects can be integrated through the Storyline approach. Special issues and tasks will be chosen within nature and social sciences and integrated with other subject areas. Teaching material, equipment and teaching environment that supports learning and teaching will be explored and appropriate assessment methods will be introduced and discussed. Students will learn to apply information technology tools and a creative approach in teaching and learning.

The aim of the course is to cover the main concepts in mathematics learning in primary school. Students explore what it means to do mathematics and developing understanding in mathematics. They learn to plan mathematics teaching in problem based environment using information technology and plan assessment into instruction.

The course will aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the developmental changes that take place from birth through adolescence.

Content:
The course will cover a broad range of developmental changes during different phases of childhood and adolescence, and theories that describe and explain those changes. Theories of cognitive development, emotional and social development, the development of self, and moral development will be discussed. The approaches of behaviourism and ecological theory will also be highlighted. The origins and nature of individual differences, continuity and discontinuity of development, as well as plasticity of development will be discussed. The interaction between development and learning, motivation, parenting practices, culture, and different social environments will be addressed. A strong emphasis will be placed on the importance of understanding child development when working with children in applied settings.

Procedure:
The course will consist of lectures and recitations. Students' will have a chance to discuss the topics of the course and deepen their understanding of the age group they plan to focus on during their studies and work.

The course is designed to expose students to perspectives on curriculum development and assessment in compulsory education. The following educational process is emphasized:

Students discuss and learn about basic concepts and issues related to assessment and curriculum development in compulsory education. Issues and ideologies reflected in official curricula, law, directives, and other policy briefings are discussed both theoretically and in praxis. Special focus is laid on the role of teachers in curriculum development and assessment, and alternatively their professional role in developing learning programs for groups of pupils as well as individual pupils with special needs. Nature, purpose, and strategies regarding assessment and curriculum are addressed (cf. formative assessment, summative assessment, writing test items and other test instruments, and marking and reporting). Students discuss and learn about controversial issues and different ideological currents concerning central questions about the purpose and aims of compulsory education. Key questions discussed are: What should be the purpose of the school, what should be taught and assessed in compulsory schools, how and why? What counts as legitimate knowledge and competence, and how should we administer and organize compulsory education.

The working process of the course consists of lectures, field-related assignments, and critical discussion through seminars and group assignments

The course will cover Icelandic literature from 1900 to the present with a focus on the interaction between literature, history and society.

The role of literature in the construction of national identity in 20th century Iceland will be explored, from the beginning of the century when Icelandic literature became increasingly international to the multicultural and diversified literary culture of the present.

Icelandic literature is interwoven with the literature of other cultures. In the course, Icelandic literature will be put in an international context.

Literature and its interpretation were a key element in the construction of Icelandic nationality in the period. The school system and teaching of literature within that system were an important feature in this identity construction and special attention will be paid to this aspect of literary history.

The main themes of Icelandic literature of the period will be discussed in lectures and in student’s assignments. Among the themes are political literature and class struggle, the country and the city, and increased diversity and visibility of minorities in Icelandic literature and society in the last decades,

Particular attention will be paid to the new trends in Icelandic literary culture, new genres, children’s literature, new and old forms of poetry and the interaction between literature and other art forms.
In student’s assignments, an emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to communicate their knowledge to different age groups and to connect the pupils’ everyday reality to literature and literary history.

Film, internet resources and other new media will form a part of the class as the period in question is characterized by new technologies which have influenced literature and culture in various ways.

Teaching will be conducted through lectures, group assignment’s and individual assignments.

Field. The main goal is to strengthen the Students‘ knowledge on this subject in schools and teaching.

Input / subject
• Students read a varied texts on language and literature.
• They discuss the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with laws and regulations relating to Icelandic in elementary school and curriculums.
• They deal with a variety of teaching, curriculum and assessment in the teaching sector Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get good experience of preparing and implementing teaching in central and youth in grammar and literature.

The course will focus on the Icelandic language and its use in writing and in films. The students’ work will include creative writing different genres, creative reading and new ways of mediation. All the activities aim at preparing the students for their future work. The concept „creativity“ is discussed and defined in the course. The three aspects of it which do matter for teachers are emphasised, i.e. the creative teacher, creativity in writing assignments and the activation of the creative abilities of the students. The activities in the classroom will mainly be through work on assignments and discussion.

The course covers a selection of Icelandic literature from the start of settlement and to the end of the 19th century and examines the suitability of the texts for various stages of education. Students will familiarise themselves with school editions and resources on medieval literature, but will also look at the overall impression of the genre.
In addition the course will cover how literature became the cornerstone of the Icelandic national identity in the 19th century. The students will consider the ideology of 19th century literature along with the period‘s views on nature, history and connection to the present. The course will also cover the national poets of Iceland and their place in the cultural conscious.
There will be a special emphasis on the connection of literature to national culture. Icelandic culture is paralell to the culture of other European nations, and the connection between Iceland and the outside world in a rapidly developing western civilisation will be discussed. Various types of resources will be used, including film and other visual materials connected to major literary works. Instruction is in the form of lectures, assignments and creative work.

The main goal is to that students exceeds knowledge of field work in Icelandic and teaching, as well as strengthening Icelandic language as a teacher and pupils‘ model.

Input / subject

• Reading a varied texts on language and literature.
• Discussing the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with the National Curriculum.
• Discussing the curriculum and teaching methods in the teaching sector in Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get a good insight into the teaching sector in Icelandic.

Work
Lectures and project work. Emphasis is placed on student studying his open and active mind.

The main aim of this course is to make the students understand how language use varies depending on the situation and the group and how this can be addressed in the classroom. 

The vocabulary and it’s three levels will be addressed, as well as word order and other features which characterize different registers, which depend on the situation, both when it comes to spoken and written language. Students will get a special training in analysing texts linguistically and how to work with varied text types in the classroom. 

Sociolinguistics will be on the agenda where social dialects will especially be addressed, i.e., the language use of different groups. The language use of teenagers will be discussed in particular, what its special features are and how it can be utilized in teaching to describe the nature of the language in general. 

Many types of methods and approaches in teaching Icelandic will be addressed and students get training in teaching specific topics. Many questions and problems will be discussed which always surface in connection with language and language use and the challenges facing teachers when teaching in the multicultural modern society. 

The acquisition of language sheds light on the nature and structural make-up of language, i.e., our internalized grammatical system. This course focuses on the intrinsic properties of this internal grammar, from its smallest units to the largest ones, viewed through child language acquisition.

Emphasis will be placed on introducing the structure of our internal grammar and the major concepts necessary to be able to discuss grammar and explain its characteristics. Theories on language acquisition as a process will be reviewed with the aim of enabling students to understand what knowing a language entails and what it means to have a feeling for it. The effect of different inputs in the language environment on the grammar we eventually acquire will also be discussed, both as regards the sheer quantity or type of the input, e.g., voice vs. sign languages or Icelandic as a first or second language.

The basic concepts to be discussed in the course will be measured against recent research findings, teaching materials and educational aims in grammar teaching. The main focus will be on language acquisition and its wonders as a new approach in grammar teaching and in the development of new assignments.

Subjects:

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
• Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

The B.Ed. thesis in teaching is a 10 ECTS credit written thesis completed under supervision of a faculty member.

The course is designed to expose students with two main perspectives on educational research. On the one hand methodology related to data collection and data analysis, on the other hand reading and discussing educational research conducted by others. In all sections of the course an emphasis is placed on knowing and understanding concepts and ideas from educational research; students read about them, discuss and apply them in tasks connected to quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods. They also discuss and apply concepts related to action research.

The course comprises lectures, discourse, student presentations and field-related assignments.

The acquisition of language sheds light on the nature and structural make-up of language, i.e., our internalized grammatical system. This course focuses on the intrinsic properties of this internal grammar, from its smallest units to the largest ones, viewed through child language acquisition.

Emphasis will be placed on introducing the structure of our internal grammar and the major concepts necessary to be able to discuss grammar and explain its characteristics. Theories on language acquisition as a process will be reviewed with the aim of enabling students to understand what knowing a language entails and what it means to have a feeling for it. The effect of different inputs in the language environment on the grammar we eventually acquire will also be discussed, both as regards the sheer quantity or type of the input, e.g., voice vs. sign languages or Icelandic as a first or second language.

The basic concepts to be discussed in the course will be measured against recent research findings, teaching materials and educational aims in grammar teaching. The main focus will be on language acquisition and its wonders as a new approach in grammar teaching and in the development of new assignments.

Subjects:

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
• Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

The main aim of this course is to make the students understand how language use varies depending on the situation and the group and how this can be addressed in the classroom. 

The vocabulary and it’s three levels will be addressed, as well as word order and other features which characterize different registers, which depend on the situation, both when it comes to spoken and written language. Students will get a special training in analysing texts linguistically and how to work with varied text types in the classroom. 

Sociolinguistics will be on the agenda where social dialects will especially be addressed, i.e., the language use of different groups. The language use of teenagers will be discussed in particular, what its special features are and how it can be utilized in teaching to describe the nature of the language in general. 

Many types of methods and approaches in teaching Icelandic will be addressed and students get training in teaching specific topics. Many questions and problems will be discussed which always surface in connection with language and language use and the challenges facing teachers when teaching in the multicultural modern society. 

The course will focus on the Icelandic language and its use in writing and in films. The students’ work will include creative writing different genres, creative reading and new ways of mediation. All the activities aim at preparing the students for their future work. The concept „creativity“ is discussed and defined in the course. The three aspects of it which do matter for teachers are emphasised, i.e. the creative teacher, creativity in writing assignments and the activation of the creative abilities of the students. The activities in the classroom will mainly be through work on assignments and discussion.

The main goal is to that students exceeds knowledge of field work in Icelandic and teaching, as well as strengthening Icelandic language as a teacher and pupils‘ model.

Input / subject

• Reading a varied texts on language and literature.
• Discussing the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with the National Curriculum.
• Discussing the curriculum and teaching methods in the teaching sector in Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get a good insight into the teaching sector in Icelandic.

Work
Lectures and project work. Emphasis is placed on student studying his open and active mind.

The course will cover Icelandic literature from 1900 to the present with a focus on the interaction between literature, history and society.

The role of literature in the construction of national identity in 20th century Iceland will be explored, from the beginning of the century when Icelandic literature became increasingly international to the multicultural and diversified literary culture of the present.

Icelandic literature is interwoven with the literature of other cultures. In the course, Icelandic literature will be put in an international context.

Literature and its interpretation were a key element in the construction of Icelandic nationality in the period. The school system and teaching of literature within that system were an important feature in this identity construction and special attention will be paid to this aspect of literary history.

The main themes of Icelandic literature of the period will be discussed in lectures and in student’s assignments. Among the themes are political literature and class struggle, the country and the city, and increased diversity and visibility of minorities in Icelandic literature and society in the last decades,

Particular attention will be paid to the new trends in Icelandic literary culture, new genres, children’s literature, new and old forms of poetry and the interaction between literature and other art forms.
In student’s assignments, an emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to communicate their knowledge to different age groups and to connect the pupils’ everyday reality to literature and literary history.

Film, internet resources and other new media will form a part of the class as the period in question is characterized by new technologies which have influenced literature and culture in various ways.

Teaching will be conducted through lectures, group assignment’s and individual assignments.

The course covers a selection of Icelandic literature from the start of settlement and to the end of the 19th century and examines the suitability of the texts for various stages of education. Students will familiarise themselves with school editions and resources on medieval literature, but will also look at the overall impression of the genre.
In addition the course will cover how literature became the cornerstone of the Icelandic national identity in the 19th century. The students will consider the ideology of 19th century literature along with the period‘s views on nature, history and connection to the present. The course will also cover the national poets of Iceland and their place in the cultural conscious.
There will be a special emphasis on the connection of literature to national culture. Icelandic culture is paralell to the culture of other European nations, and the connection between Iceland and the outside world in a rapidly developing western civilisation will be discussed. Various types of resources will be used, including film and other visual materials connected to major literary works. Instruction is in the form of lectures, assignments and creative work.

Field. The main goal is to strengthen the Students‘ knowledge on this subject in schools and teaching.

Input / subject
• Students read a varied texts on language and literature.
• They discuss the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with laws and regulations relating to Icelandic in elementary school and curriculums.
• They deal with a variety of teaching, curriculum and assessment in the teaching sector Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get good experience of preparing and implementing teaching in central and youth in grammar and literature.

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
•  Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues and equality.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

In the course, a foundation of academic knowledge for prospective Icelandic teachers on Icelandic literature will be laid to prepare them for teaching in primary schools. Emphasis will be placed on developing students as independent readers of various types of literature. Additionally, spoken language, listening, observation, reading, and writing will be addressed on a scholarly basis and through practical tasks. The course will focus on active listening and observation, and students will be trained to communicate their knowledge verbally and to utilize various media to enhance these aspects for themselves.

Contemporary literature for children and adults, as well as narratives in other media such as theater and film, will be discussed. General analytical methods will be employed, and critical reading skills will be developed for comprehension and interpretation. Attention will be given to how texts can provoke discussion on ethical concepts and viewpoints. Furthermore, literary texts will be read with the aim for students to enjoy them and share their reading experience with others.

Students will engage in analyzing the differences between spoken language and written language from a scholarly perspective and practice working with different forms of spoken language and texts in various contexts.

Students will get to know theories about active listening and active viewing and will use varied mediums to enforce these skills within themselves.

Contemporary literature for children and adults will be covered, as well as folk tales and national culture related to them. General methods of analysis will be employed and literacy trained towards understanding and interpretation. It will be emphasized how texts can encourage discussions about ethical terminology and matters. In addition, literary texts will be read enabling the students to enjoy them and share their reading experience with others.

Students will learn to distinguish between spoken and written language in a theoretical manner and get training in working with different types of spoken language and texts on various text levels.

The basic theoretical knowledge of the Icelandic phonology, morphology and syntax will be introduced, focusing on observing language through children’s acquisition and how they build up their inner grammar. In addition, the emphasis will be on the students’ own language, where they will be guided in self-observations as well as looking into other people’s language use.

In this course emphasis will be placed on the practical application of current scholarship in teaching Icelandic. Students will receive training in varied ways and methods to teach Icelandic which are meant to increase understanding and interest in topics in Icelandic. In addition, planning and preparation of teaching and assessment will be discussed.

The course centres on two main components of the teaching of Icelandic, namely writing and grammar. In addition, fundamental pillars of education will be discussed and how students can weave them into their teaching of Icelandic. Emphasis will be on training the students in working with learning outcomes and assessment outcomes for Icelandic and to promote escalation in teaching of the main components of the teaching of Icelandic.

The students get training in how to approach their teaching in a critical manner and to utilize current scholarship. They will also get practice in working critically with existing teaching materials and compare it with the current National Curriculum so as to develop their own teaching and teaching methods. In addition, the integration with other subjects of teaching will be addressed.

It will be addressed how teachers can take into account diverse group of pupils when planning their teaching so the pupils get an opportunity to approach topics in Icelandic according to their own experience and interests.

The contents of the course will be put into connection with on-site education. Students will observe teaching, consider it and evaluate it in accordance with the course’s subject matters.

The course aims for student teachers to acquire knowledge and skills in general pedagogy and the ability to teach students at the compulsory school level.

• The focus is on teaching methods in compulsory schools, the learning environment, and class management, and on discussing what characterizes effective teaching.
• Attention is directed to the characteristics of the age levels of compulsory school and presents ways to stimulate development and meet the different needs of students in an inclusive school.
• Cooperation and communication between students, teamwork, and team teaching by teachers will be discussed, but also the relationship between homes and schools and the participation of parents in their children's education.
• Student teachers receive training in pronunciation and voice protection, expression, and manners.
• With a field study, a student teacher gets practice in planning diverse studies, implementing teaching methods, using information technology, and evaluating his experience.

This course will focus on Icelandic culture and literature in a broad understanding, as well as how both factor into language use and linguistic world of different subjects within the school system.

This will include a discussion of basic concepts of literary theory, discourse analysis and cultural studies, and a variety of methods and media in teaching will be introduced, which can increase understanding and interest among elementary school students in their own culture as well as other cultures. 

Students will have the opportunity to read literary fiction from both past and present and put it into context with their own experiences as well as their future approach to teaching different school subjects.

A variety of texts will be discussed, both fiction as well as practical/didactic texts and recreational texts, with the goal that students realize and appreciate that language is the tool we use in all our daily lives and studies regardless of subject. The deep layers of meaning found in all manner of texts will be analyzed, and students will be given the proper tools to scrutinize texts in their surroundings in an independent and critical manner.

This course will focus on interweaving of different elementary school subjects and how Icelandic is the subject that binds all other subjects together, emphasizing the teacher’s role of teaching in Icelandic, rather than teaching Icelandic as a subject. For this reason a special focus will be placed on how Icelandic provides a base for the teaching of several other subjects, including social studies, mathematics, natural sciences, foreign languages, and not least art subjects, e.g. visual arts and drama.

The main objective of the course is to prepare students for reading, writing and communicating academic texts.

The course will cover various types of scholarly material and its representation. Students will familiarize themselves with different aspects of academic writing and learn to distinguish between different genres. Students will be trained in independent and critical reading of different texts. Copyright, plagiarism, and fake news will also be discussed.

Students will acquire skills in working with academic texts, such as abstracts and summaries and in using sources when writing their own texts. They will also receive instructions in making bibliographies and using citation systems. Students will also be trained in using source material in their own writing and distinguish between their own voice and the source. 

In the course teacher students are introduced to the main goals of teaching mathematics in compulsory schools. The emphasis is both on content and the process of teaching and learning.

Emphasis is put on problem solving and inquiry based approach to learning and teaching. The teacher students will study how different approaches in teaching affect learning. Consideration is given to the role of the teacher and competances to be expected.

Students use ICT in their own learning and in connection with the teaching of mathematics.

The teacher students strengthen their knowledge of selected mathematical topics, including number theory and geometry.

The course also treats numeration systems and basic arithmetic.

Emphasis is put on problem solving and inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching. The teacher students reflect on how different approaches in teaching affect students understanding of mathematical concepts.

An introductory course intended to provide an overview of contemporary ideas and perspectives on learning and instruction and teachers working environments. Major learning theories, trends and issues are introduced which will then be discussed in later courses focusing on learning and the teacher profession.

Important conceptions, concepts and issues covered: Learning theories and research, conditions for learning and teaching, teachers practice theories, learning-learner-learning environment, organisation of learning, instructional planning, curriculum development and collaboration, teachers professionalism and practice theories, legal and regulatory frameworks for compulsory education.

Procedure: Lectures, reflective studies, seminars, individual and group work, projects, interactive lectures, field work and training.

This course aims to provide students with insights into the unique conditions of Danish teaching in Icelandic primary schools. We will explore fundamental concepts and theories related to language acquisition, specifically relevant to foreign language instruction. Additionally, we’ll align academic goals and objectives for Danish teaching in Iceland with theories of language acquisition and foreign language pedagogy. The course also examines how teachers’ learning and language perspectives manifest in Danish as a foreign language classrooms.

The goals of the course are to provide students with opportunities to practice their Danish speaking skills and increase their understanding of the levels and characteristics of spoken language and discourse. Subject areas will include phonetics and Danish pronunciation, rhythm and stress, accents and Danish varieties, differences between spoken and written Danish, and aspects of oral communication and fluency. Students will receive practice in a variety of speech acts and situations (speech events) such as discussions, conversations, presentations, storytelling, and reading aloud.

A historical overview of principles, methods, and best practices of English language teaching. Introduction to the national curriculum of English, teaching materials, and resources. Focus on student-centered teaching, learner autonomy, teacher reflection, and developing a philosophy of teaching.

The National Curriculum Guide will be read and analyzed. Students will have an opportunity to observe and evaluate recorded teaching and they will practice reflecting on their own ideas about teaching and experience of language learning. 

Course work demands active participation and consists of reading, written assignments, discussion, group and individual work, and microteaching.

The course will look in depth at English teaching methods and principles aimed at young learners. Topics include characteristics of young learners, National Curriculum objectives, and teaching and assessment methods, especially those related to listening, speaking, reading, writing, games, songs and creative activities. Students will receive training in lesson planning and integrating English teaching with other subjects.
Course work consists of reading, oral and written assignments, discussions, group work and active participation. The course includes a teaching practice component at primary or middle school levels consisting of classroom observation, practice teaching and a written report. Student teachers will gain experience in creating lessons and activities that take into account young children’s needs and abilities. Students who are exempt from teaching practice (e.g. BA students) will complete an alternative assignment.

Students will learn about the importance of the arts in the education of children and adolescents. The focus will be on expression through visual arts, drama and music. Students will develop creative projects based on their own ideas.

Methods: Numerous workshops based on different teaching methods and various ideas.

Students continue to learn about the importance of the arts in the education of children and adolescents. The focus will be on expression through visual arts, drama and music. Students will develop creative projects based on their own ideas. This course emphasizes cross disciplinary cooperation within the arts subjects.

Methods: Numerous workshops based on different teaching methods and various ideas.

 The main aim of the course is that students become acquainted with various ways of teaching science in compulsory schools, acquire skills in organizing such teaching, and understand its value. Emphasis is on natural science topics that are related to the students' experiences. The focus will be on practical work indoors and outdoors and possibilities in the immediate vicinity of schools. Various ways of studying nature will be introduced, such as an examination of geological phenomena, a plant inspection as well as methods for collecting small animals and an analysis of organisms. Students will gain experience in organizing outdoor lessons. Concepts and theories in chemistry appropriate for prospective compulsory students will be studied with emphasis on pedagogical content knowledge. Students will also be introduced to the opportunities that the use of information technology provides to promote interest and curiosity about nature. The curriculum and learning materials of the compulsory school related to the subject of the course will also be examined.

The course will examine the structure of chemicals, chemical changes, atomic theory and the periodic table. Also nature of Iceland including plants, birds, small animals, freshwater and beach organisms with an emphasis on their habitat and adaptation to the Icelandic environment. The sea around Iceland and the factors that shape the ecosystem in Icelandic waters will be discussed. In addition, the internal (volcanic activity) and external forces (climate and water) that shape the country's environment will be discussed.

The aim of the course is for students to strengthen their knowledge of the pedagogy of natural sciences and field work in compulsory school is a part of the course. The role of teachers in learning of natural sciences will be examined.  Special attention will be paid to practical work and pupil’s everyday ideas. Possibilities for outdoor learning will be explored along with opportunities offered by virtual environments. 

The natural science topics covered in this course within the field of physical sciences include thermal energy and temperature, heat transfer, utilization of thermal energy, and energy processes related to chemical changes. The geoscience topics addressed in the course include, on the one hand, the effects of internal and external forces on the shaping of the Earth's surface, and on the other hand, the practical applications of geosciences in sustainable resource utilization and environmental monitoring.

Content: The course is an introduction to the teaching of social sciences with an emphasis on the training of discussions, critical thinking and the ability to look at different points of view. Emphasis is on active reflection, where students take a critical look at their presumptions  on various issues. It also gives insights into various topics that are a part of social science teaching (cf. the national curriculum).

Methods: According to the timetable, discussions and project work occur during lessons in real-time on Zoom. Argumentation assignments will be done in connection to the lectures. Additionally there will be compulsory discussions each week (80%). Students can choose between discussions in Stakkahlíð or in realtime on Zoom. 

Course topics: The aim of the course is for participants to become aware of diverse factors that influence people‘s views of life and make them better prepared to teach social sciences. Three views will be dealt with. First is the personal and individual, then the common, social and structural. Then the relations of the personal and the common one with international agreements like United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the course questions of how these appear in the structure and content of school work will be asked, e.g. with regard to the national curriculum. In the course themes related to people‘s views of life will be discussed using questions of moralty, religion, societal views and government, families and people‘s local/domestic environment, and how rights and obligations form people‘s vision.

Working methods: The course is organised in two week rounds, each focusing on one theme. Lectures will be available online and reading material provided as links or pdf-documents. Final exam counts as 40% and assignments (e.g. written ones and online quizzes) count as 60%. The course in taught in weekly sessions on-line

The course is an introduction to design and craft education: Design and woodwork, Textiles and design and Health promotion and home economics. Project ideas are adapted to different subjects of the course. Emphasis is placed on knowledge and skills aspects from idea to completion in all work components of the course. Students work on subjects that are suitable for school work and record work processes in photographs, drawings and in text form.

The aim is to prepare student teachers for field studies in design and crafts subjects with an emphasis on pedagogical aspects. In project selection, students take into account the basic elements of education and the learning standards of a subject in the National Curriculum Guide for Compulsory Schools. In the processing of projects, emphasis is placed on creative and professional work methods. Students receive training in the preparation of syllabi, become acquainted with various teaching methods and compare different assessment methods in design and crafts subjects. Students keep a guidebook and present their experiences from the field.

The course will cover selected topics from classical geometry, analytical geometry and algebra. Software used in teaching and learning algebra and geometry will be introduced.

Basic topics from Euclidean geometry will be covered; concepts, axioms and postulates on parallel lines, polygons and circles. Simple constructions with circle and ruler. Selected topics from analytical geometry e.g. the equation of a circle, solutions of linear equations and equation systems, second degree equations, absolute value equations and inequalities.

The software GeoGebra will be used for visualization, making conjectures, constructions and drawings.

The topics of study are the aims of mathematics teaching in compulsory school, mathematical competence and the organisation of mathematics teaching in compulsory school. The national curriculum and textbooks are examined and analyzed. Special consideration is given to how students acquire competence to communicate and apply mathematics. Attention is directed to the importance of continuity in learning where main ideas become clearer and richer with time. Students learn to plan for mathematics lessons that take into account the needs of all students. Equity and students' access to mathematics education will be discussed. Students try out different ways of teaching and emphasis is placed on the use of diverse media and learning materials. Based on their experience in the field, students reflect on their teaching, their choice of teaching conten, the role of the teacher and communication with students and communication between students. Emphasis is placed on diverse learning environments and teaching methods based on research into mathematics learning and teaching.

The main focus of the course will be on the teaching of natural and social sciences and how these subjects can be integrated through the Storyline approach. Special issues and tasks will be chosen within nature and social sciences and integrated with other subject areas. Teaching material, equipment and teaching environment that supports learning and teaching will be explored and appropriate assessment methods will be introduced and discussed. Students will learn to apply information technology tools and a creative approach in teaching and learning.

The aim of the course is to cover the main concepts in mathematics learning in primary school. Students explore what it means to do mathematics and developing understanding in mathematics. They learn to plan mathematics teaching in problem based environment using information technology and plan assessment into instruction.

The course will aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the developmental changes that take place from birth through adolescence.

Content:
The course will cover a broad range of developmental changes during different phases of childhood and adolescence, and theories that describe and explain those changes. Theories of cognitive development, emotional and social development, the development of self, and moral development will be discussed. The approaches of behaviourism and ecological theory will also be highlighted. The origins and nature of individual differences, continuity and discontinuity of development, as well as plasticity of development will be discussed. The interaction between development and learning, motivation, parenting practices, culture, and different social environments will be addressed. A strong emphasis will be placed on the importance of understanding child development when working with children in applied settings.

Procedure:
The course will consist of lectures and recitations. Students' will have a chance to discuss the topics of the course and deepen their understanding of the age group they plan to focus on during their studies and work.

The course is designed to expose students to perspectives on curriculum development and assessment in compulsory education. The following educational process is emphasized:

Students discuss and learn about basic concepts and issues related to assessment and curriculum development in compulsory education. Issues and ideologies reflected in official curricula, law, directives, and other policy briefings are discussed both theoretically and in praxis. Special focus is laid on the role of teachers in curriculum development and assessment, and alternatively their professional role in developing learning programs for groups of pupils as well as individual pupils with special needs. Nature, purpose, and strategies regarding assessment and curriculum are addressed (cf. formative assessment, summative assessment, writing test items and other test instruments, and marking and reporting). Students discuss and learn about controversial issues and different ideological currents concerning central questions about the purpose and aims of compulsory education. Key questions discussed are: What should be the purpose of the school, what should be taught and assessed in compulsory schools, how and why? What counts as legitimate knowledge and competence, and how should we administer and organize compulsory education.

The working process of the course consists of lectures, field-related assignments, and critical discussion through seminars and group assignments

The course will cover Icelandic literature from 1900 to the present with a focus on the interaction between literature, history and society.

The role of literature in the construction of national identity in 20th century Iceland will be explored, from the beginning of the century when Icelandic literature became increasingly international to the multicultural and diversified literary culture of the present.

Icelandic literature is interwoven with the literature of other cultures. In the course, Icelandic literature will be put in an international context.

Literature and its interpretation were a key element in the construction of Icelandic nationality in the period. The school system and teaching of literature within that system were an important feature in this identity construction and special attention will be paid to this aspect of literary history.

The main themes of Icelandic literature of the period will be discussed in lectures and in student’s assignments. Among the themes are political literature and class struggle, the country and the city, and increased diversity and visibility of minorities in Icelandic literature and society in the last decades,

Particular attention will be paid to the new trends in Icelandic literary culture, new genres, children’s literature, new and old forms of poetry and the interaction between literature and other art forms.
In student’s assignments, an emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to communicate their knowledge to different age groups and to connect the pupils’ everyday reality to literature and literary history.

Film, internet resources and other new media will form a part of the class as the period in question is characterized by new technologies which have influenced literature and culture in various ways.

Teaching will be conducted through lectures, group assignment’s and individual assignments.

Field. The main goal is to strengthen the Students‘ knowledge on this subject in schools and teaching.

Input / subject
• Students read a varied texts on language and literature.
• They discuss the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with laws and regulations relating to Icelandic in elementary school and curriculums.
• They deal with a variety of teaching, curriculum and assessment in the teaching sector Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get good experience of preparing and implementing teaching in central and youth in grammar and literature.

The course will focus on the Icelandic language and its use in writing and in films. The students’ work will include creative writing different genres, creative reading and new ways of mediation. All the activities aim at preparing the students for their future work. The concept „creativity“ is discussed and defined in the course. The three aspects of it which do matter for teachers are emphasised, i.e. the creative teacher, creativity in writing assignments and the activation of the creative abilities of the students. The activities in the classroom will mainly be through work on assignments and discussion.

The course covers a selection of Icelandic literature from the start of settlement and to the end of the 19th century and examines the suitability of the texts for various stages of education. Students will familiarise themselves with school editions and resources on medieval literature, but will also look at the overall impression of the genre.
In addition the course will cover how literature became the cornerstone of the Icelandic national identity in the 19th century. The students will consider the ideology of 19th century literature along with the period‘s views on nature, history and connection to the present. The course will also cover the national poets of Iceland and their place in the cultural conscious.
There will be a special emphasis on the connection of literature to national culture. Icelandic culture is paralell to the culture of other European nations, and the connection between Iceland and the outside world in a rapidly developing western civilisation will be discussed. Various types of resources will be used, including film and other visual materials connected to major literary works. Instruction is in the form of lectures, assignments and creative work.

The main goal is to that students exceeds knowledge of field work in Icelandic and teaching, as well as strengthening Icelandic language as a teacher and pupils‘ model.

Input / subject

• Reading a varied texts on language and literature.
• Discussing the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with the National Curriculum.
• Discussing the curriculum and teaching methods in the teaching sector in Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get a good insight into the teaching sector in Icelandic.

Work
Lectures and project work. Emphasis is placed on student studying his open and active mind.

The main aim of this course is to make the students understand how language use varies depending on the situation and the group and how this can be addressed in the classroom. 

The vocabulary and it’s three levels will be addressed, as well as word order and other features which characterize different registers, which depend on the situation, both when it comes to spoken and written language. Students will get a special training in analysing texts linguistically and how to work with varied text types in the classroom. 

Sociolinguistics will be on the agenda where social dialects will especially be addressed, i.e., the language use of different groups. The language use of teenagers will be discussed in particular, what its special features are and how it can be utilized in teaching to describe the nature of the language in general. 

Many types of methods and approaches in teaching Icelandic will be addressed and students get training in teaching specific topics. Many questions and problems will be discussed which always surface in connection with language and language use and the challenges facing teachers when teaching in the multicultural modern society. 

The acquisition of language sheds light on the nature and structural make-up of language, i.e., our internalized grammatical system. This course focuses on the intrinsic properties of this internal grammar, from its smallest units to the largest ones, viewed through child language acquisition.

Emphasis will be placed on introducing the structure of our internal grammar and the major concepts necessary to be able to discuss grammar and explain its characteristics. Theories on language acquisition as a process will be reviewed with the aim of enabling students to understand what knowing a language entails and what it means to have a feeling for it. The effect of different inputs in the language environment on the grammar we eventually acquire will also be discussed, both as regards the sheer quantity or type of the input, e.g., voice vs. sign languages or Icelandic as a first or second language.

The basic concepts to be discussed in the course will be measured against recent research findings, teaching materials and educational aims in grammar teaching. The main focus will be on language acquisition and its wonders as a new approach in grammar teaching and in the development of new assignments.

Subjects:

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
• Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

The B.Ed. thesis in teaching is a 10 ECTS credit written thesis completed under supervision of a faculty member.

The course is designed to expose students with two main perspectives on educational research. On the one hand methodology related to data collection and data analysis, on the other hand reading and discussing educational research conducted by others. In all sections of the course an emphasis is placed on knowing and understanding concepts and ideas from educational research; students read about them, discuss and apply them in tasks connected to quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods. They also discuss and apply concepts related to action research.

The course comprises lectures, discourse, student presentations and field-related assignments.

The acquisition of language sheds light on the nature and structural make-up of language, i.e., our internalized grammatical system. This course focuses on the intrinsic properties of this internal grammar, from its smallest units to the largest ones, viewed through child language acquisition.

Emphasis will be placed on introducing the structure of our internal grammar and the major concepts necessary to be able to discuss grammar and explain its characteristics. Theories on language acquisition as a process will be reviewed with the aim of enabling students to understand what knowing a language entails and what it means to have a feeling for it. The effect of different inputs in the language environment on the grammar we eventually acquire will also be discussed, both as regards the sheer quantity or type of the input, e.g., voice vs. sign languages or Icelandic as a first or second language.

The basic concepts to be discussed in the course will be measured against recent research findings, teaching materials and educational aims in grammar teaching. The main focus will be on language acquisition and its wonders as a new approach in grammar teaching and in the development of new assignments.

Subjects:

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
• Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.

The main aim of this course is to make the students understand how language use varies depending on the situation and the group and how this can be addressed in the classroom. 

The vocabulary and it’s three levels will be addressed, as well as word order and other features which characterize different registers, which depend on the situation, both when it comes to spoken and written language. Students will get a special training in analysing texts linguistically and how to work with varied text types in the classroom. 

Sociolinguistics will be on the agenda where social dialects will especially be addressed, i.e., the language use of different groups. The language use of teenagers will be discussed in particular, what its special features are and how it can be utilized in teaching to describe the nature of the language in general. 

Many types of methods and approaches in teaching Icelandic will be addressed and students get training in teaching specific topics. Many questions and problems will be discussed which always surface in connection with language and language use and the challenges facing teachers when teaching in the multicultural modern society. 

The course will focus on the Icelandic language and its use in writing and in films. The students’ work will include creative writing different genres, creative reading and new ways of mediation. All the activities aim at preparing the students for their future work. The concept „creativity“ is discussed and defined in the course. The three aspects of it which do matter for teachers are emphasised, i.e. the creative teacher, creativity in writing assignments and the activation of the creative abilities of the students. The activities in the classroom will mainly be through work on assignments and discussion.

The main goal is to that students exceeds knowledge of field work in Icelandic and teaching, as well as strengthening Icelandic language as a teacher and pupils‘ model.

Input / subject

• Reading a varied texts on language and literature.
• Discussing the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with the National Curriculum.
• Discussing the curriculum and teaching methods in the teaching sector in Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get a good insight into the teaching sector in Icelandic.

Work
Lectures and project work. Emphasis is placed on student studying his open and active mind.

The course will cover Icelandic literature from 1900 to the present with a focus on the interaction between literature, history and society.

The role of literature in the construction of national identity in 20th century Iceland will be explored, from the beginning of the century when Icelandic literature became increasingly international to the multicultural and diversified literary culture of the present.

Icelandic literature is interwoven with the literature of other cultures. In the course, Icelandic literature will be put in an international context.

Literature and its interpretation were a key element in the construction of Icelandic nationality in the period. The school system and teaching of literature within that system were an important feature in this identity construction and special attention will be paid to this aspect of literary history.

The main themes of Icelandic literature of the period will be discussed in lectures and in student’s assignments. Among the themes are political literature and class struggle, the country and the city, and increased diversity and visibility of minorities in Icelandic literature and society in the last decades,

Particular attention will be paid to the new trends in Icelandic literary culture, new genres, children’s literature, new and old forms of poetry and the interaction between literature and other art forms.
In student’s assignments, an emphasis will be placed on the student’s ability to communicate their knowledge to different age groups and to connect the pupils’ everyday reality to literature and literary history.

Film, internet resources and other new media will form a part of the class as the period in question is characterized by new technologies which have influenced literature and culture in various ways.

Teaching will be conducted through lectures, group assignment’s and individual assignments.

The course covers a selection of Icelandic literature from the start of settlement and to the end of the 19th century and examines the suitability of the texts for various stages of education. Students will familiarise themselves with school editions and resources on medieval literature, but will also look at the overall impression of the genre.
In addition the course will cover how literature became the cornerstone of the Icelandic national identity in the 19th century. The students will consider the ideology of 19th century literature along with the period‘s views on nature, history and connection to the present. The course will also cover the national poets of Iceland and their place in the cultural conscious.
There will be a special emphasis on the connection of literature to national culture. Icelandic culture is paralell to the culture of other European nations, and the connection between Iceland and the outside world in a rapidly developing western civilisation will be discussed. Various types of resources will be used, including film and other visual materials connected to major literary works. Instruction is in the form of lectures, assignments and creative work.

Field. The main goal is to strengthen the Students‘ knowledge on this subject in schools and teaching.

Input / subject
• Students read a varied texts on language and literature.
• They discuss the teaching sector in Icelandic associated with laws and regulations relating to Icelandic in elementary school and curriculums.
• They deal with a variety of teaching, curriculum and assessment in the teaching sector Icelandic primary school.
• The field work is focused on the student to get good experience of preparing and implementing teaching in central and youth in grammar and literature.

• Children's literature as a literary field; characteristics and literary concepts.
• Cultural and artistic assessment of a variety of children's books with special emphasis on recent books and selected themes.
• Children´s books as an important part of youth culture and common cultural awareness.
• Children´s books as a foundation for experience, creation, expression and communication.
• The value of literature in children's education.
•  Children´s books in elementary school: reading for pleasure, reading and literacy, writing and written expression, life skills and ethics.
• Children´s books regarding multicultural issues and equality.
• The relationship between children's literature with other forms of literature and art.