Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) - B195

If you choose to study full-time at either Edge Hill University or Wirral Metropolitan College, this entire Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) will be delivered in one year. You will complete two academic modules and an extended professional placement (divided across two modules). This will help you to acquire and expand the knowledge and skills required to develop and teach both individual lessons as well as design and deliver an extended curriculum of instruction for various age-groups and phases of learning. You will also gain the confidence and skills to source and interpret the latest thinking and practice emerging from cutting-edge research being published in the field of Further Education today. This will ensure that you are prepared not just for the classrooms of today, but also for the classrooms of the future.

If you choose the part-time mode (delivered only at Wirral Metropolitan College), the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) is delivered across two years. You will study the same modules and content as the full-time students, but delivered across a longer span of time.

For the part-time mode at Wirral Metropolitan College you will typically study in year 1:

Teaching my subject (30 credits) Module code: FED4000

This module encourages you to consider the aims and purposes of teaching in your chosen subject, and develops your understanding of pedagogical content knowledge in your chosen subject area. You will focus on the questions of what makes a good teacher and the role of the teacher. Alongside the introductory placement, this module will develop your understanding of key principles of curriculum and lesson design in your specialist subject, with a focus on the disciplinary distinctiveness of your subject, as well as common themes such as sustainability and embedding maths and English.

Professional practice 1 (30 credits) Module code: FED4001

This module provides you with a thorough grounding in the essentials of teaching, reflection and self-evaluation for use in the Further Education and Training (FET). This module will prepare you to become a competent and skilled practitioner on the professional placement. You will cover an introduction to Post-compulsory education, barriers to learning in the Post 14 sector, teacher and learners' roles, the notion of the dual professional, teacher professionalism, expectations and responsibilities. You will also examine and evaluate how young and adult learners learn, and consider effective strategies for planning for learning, assessment of learning and reflecting on professional practice.

For the part-time mode at Wirral Metropolitan College you will typically study in year 2:

Learners and learning (30 credits) Module code: FED4002

This module focuses on the importance of knowing learners and understanding a range of support needs. You will develop your understanding of key learning theories, as well as developing your understanding of the idea of teaching as an evidence-based profession. You will be equipped to evaluate educational research from a methodological and ethical perspective and apply it to your own practice. You will gain an understanding of how and why 'evidence-based practice' has emerged as a central theme in English educational policy, and know the key methodologies associated with evidence-based practice.

Professional practice 2 (30 credits) Module code: FED4003

This module develops and consolidates your awareness and skills in teaching, preparation of lesson planning, resources and assessment. It supports you through to becoming competent and skilled practitioners on the professional placement. You will be encouraged to examine and evaluate how young and adult learners learn, and consider effective strategies for planning for learning, assessment of learning and reflecting on professional practice. You will explore dynamic and innovative teaching and learning methods and draw on current research-informed knowledge. You will develop skills in reflection and self-evaluation as you learn to become an autonomous professional.