INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES IN TEACHER EDUCATION: PREPARING EDUCATORS FOR 21ST CENTURY

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, the role of teacher education is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional models of teacher preparation are no longer sufficient to equip educators with the skills required to meet the diverse, dynamic, and technology-driven demands of 21st-century classrooms. This paper explores innovative pedagogical practices in teacher education that foster critical thinking, adaptability, digital competence, and learner-centered teaching strategies. Emphasizing approaches such as blended learning, flipped classrooms, experiential and inquiry-based learning, and digital simulation tools, the study highlights how these methods enhance both pre-service and in-service teacher training. Through a review of current literature and case studies from progressive teacher education institutions, the research examines the effectiveness of these innovations in developing reflective, culturally responsive, and technologically adept educators. The paper concludes with recommendations for curriculum redesign, faculty development, and policy interventions to promote sustainable innovation in teacher education programs. The research methodology of the research is a descriptive and different type involving an interpretative, conversation, observation and study secondary sources, like books, articles, journals, thesis, university news, expert opinion, and websites, etc.