Education and Training Level 6 Professional Graduate Certificate
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About this course
Teaching in the lifelong learning sector is exciting and rewarding. Validated by De Montfort University, this two-year, part-time course is for those already holding a degree level qualification. Attending on Mondays, you will develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to teach in FE Colleges, Adult and Community Learning, voluntary, public, and private organisation settings.
Our two-year, part-time course is validated and certificated by De Montfort University. If you’re joining the course in 2024, you will attend College on Mondays. The course will introduce you to aspects of teaching, learning and assessment to enable you to develop your work as a teacher, trainer or tutor. This course is for those working or wanting to work with learners who are aged 16 or over, including areas such as sixth form, further education, offender learning and adult and community education. After successfully completing the course, you will be eligible to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher in Learning and Skills status). Please note this is not suitable for those wishing to pursue primary education.
The level 6 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is available to candidates who have already achieved an undergraduate degree. This doesn’t have to be in the subject you want to teach so long as you have significant industrial experience or a minimum level 3 qualification in your specialist teaching area.
It is essential that you have secured at least 125 hours (minimum 75 hours per year) of independent, practical and group teaching hours before the start of the course. This can be paid or voluntary – we may be able to assist you in finding a suitable placement if you are struggling, depending on your subject specialism. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 50 hours of CPD per year (including shadowing other teaching staff, attending standardisation meetings, observing your peers teaching and undertaking staff training).
Once you have completed the course you will be a fully qualified teacher in the post-compulsory education and training sector and will be able to apply for QTLS status. You may wish to move on to take a subject specialist qualification in literacy, ESOL or maths, or progress on to an MA in education.
Modules
Over the two years, you will study five core modules which include two teaching practice components and a further 2 optional modules.
First-year modules include:
1. Teaching my subject - this core unit will develop your understanding of the curriculum as well as ensuring and maintaining subject expertise.
2. Learners and Learning – this unit will encompass pedagogical theories and give you the opportunity to understand how your learners learn and how you can support them in their own learning development.
3. Teachers and Teaching – what makes a good teacher? In this unit, you will explore how working with and learning from other teachers will develop your own practice. You will learn about the importance of planning and delivering lessons effectively. This unit will also cover the development of resources to meet learners’ needs, especially those with special educational needs.
4. Professional Practice e-portfolio Part One – the purpose of this module is to provide you with the pedagogical experience to develop knowledge, understanding, and skills relating to the planning and delivery of effective teaching, learning, and assessment within the education and training sector. You will undertake microteaches to your peers and be observed teaching in your own organisation. An e-portfolio will be created for you and you will be expected to upload a range of documentary evidence that support your teaching development. A checklist of the contents of your e-portfolio will be provided at the beginning of the course.
The second year of the programme encourages you to build on the knowledge gained during year one and explore a wider range of concepts in greater detail. In particular, an emphasis is placed on independent learning and professional enquiry with regards to teaching, learning and assessment within your own specialist area.
Modules include:
1. Effective digital and online pedagogies – you will learn how to build up your personal digital skills in order to manage digital delivery of your teaching. As part of this module, you will be expected to undertake several hours of teaching online with your current cohorts. As in Year 1, an e-portfolio will be created for you and you will be expected to upload a range of documentary evidence that support your teaching development. A checklist of the contents of your e-portfolio will be provided at the beginning of Year 2.
2. Professional Practice e-portfolio Part Two – progressing from the understanding and knowledge gained in part one, you are expected to demonstrate further competence in creating and maintaining an inclusive learning environment.
During Year 2, there will also be the opportunity to study two optional modules. These will be decided upon nearer the start date.
Assessment methods
Assignments vary from essays, written assignments and presentations to practical teaching observations and professional discussions. A strong focus is placed on the practical development of you and your classroom performance.
Tuition fees
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