TEACHING INTERNSHIP: ESSENTIAL FOR THE PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

Abstract

In Brazil, higher education professors are expected to acquire pedagogical skills while enrolled in stricto sensu postgraduate programs (PGP) for master's or doctoral degrees. In this context, the teaching internship introduces postgraduate students to the knowledge and practices necessary for professional teaching in higher education. Therefore, this report aims to critically analyze the role of the teaching internship in the pedagogical training of postgraduate students. Our analysis was based on the experience of a Ph.D. student from the PGP in Cardiovascular Sciences at the Federal Fluminense University (UFF), also the author of this report. The internship occurred during the 2022-1 and 2022-2 academic semesters when face-to-face classes returned at UFF after two years of remote learning. The training consisted of online theoretical classes held simultaneously with presential face-to-face classes for undergraduate students under supervision. Based on the activities carried out, we discuss the impact of the teaching internship on building the concept of teaching in higher education. We considered the application of theoretical concepts in classroom practices, interpersonal relationships, the duality of research and teaching, and the training of postgraduate students as educators. We believe that the teaching internship experience is essential for postgraduate students, as it encourages reflections on the teaching profession and allows for the initial development of the knowledge required for their future roles as educators and researchers in higher education.