1.
Why is this a 2-year program rather than just 1-year like the old
Diploma in Education?:
A
2-year program: Some overseas and interstate educational
authorities do not recognise a 1-year teacher education
qualification, such as a Dip Ed. The longer period allows time
for: (i) a much richer in-schools experience, culminating in a
full school-term Internship (of 10 weeks) as a conditionally
certified teacher; (ii) three semesters of coursework (compared to
2 in a DipEd); (iii) a more reflective and metacognitive approach
to teaching and learning in the coursework; (iv) the opportunity
to do the degree at Honours level. It also gives 5-year training
status and a masters-level qualification, enhancing employment
opportunities and future promotion prospects.
Part-time
study: Part-time candidature is possible and normally takes 3
or 4 years. This may be the appropriate path for somebody who
wishes to supplement their undergraduate studies (e.g. to cover
subjects which they have not done but which would enhance their
subject knowledge and employability, or which are necessary for a
particular method area) . It might also be the appropriate path
for somebody who wishes to take a third teaching method to enhance
their employment prospects. While coursework may be done on a
part-time basis, candidates who study part-time must-none-the less
fulfill their two practicum and internship session requirements in
a full-time capacity. These in-school sessions are between 4 weeks
and 10 weeks in duration.
3.
I don't want to teach in a school - is the MTeach really for me
?
The
MTeach is not only for prospective school teachers :
Education officers,
museum educators, national parks and wildlife centre education
staff, adult educators and training and personnel professionals
can all benefit from the program's examination of educational
principles and the nature of learning.
Contact hours. The
number of hours of contact varies, in different phases of the
program, from around 16 hours per week in phases 1 and 2 (in first
year) to around 12 hours per week in phase 5 (in second year). The
nature of the course is such that students will need to commit to
a significant amount of directed and self-directed study to
complement the scheduled seminar/lecture sessions. During the two
Practice teaching block sessions (1 in each year) and the
Internship (in 2nd year), students are in attendance at their
assigned school during normal working hours (typically 8.30am -
4pm). Depending upon the phase of the program, individual subject
choices and the timetabling of school visits,field work and/or
excursions, scheduled coursework typically occupies between four
days (e.g. 3 full days and 2 half-days), in the early part of the
program, and three working days, in the later phases of the
program.
5.
What is the internship - is it just another practice teaching session
?
The internship.
The internship (and the Post-Internship conference) is the final
phase of the 2-year program. It is a one school term placement
into a partnership school (including one of our interstate or
international partner schools) after all the formal coursework,
and two supervised practice teaching sessions, have been completed
satisfactorily. By this stage students are conditionally certified
to teach, and enter the internship as professionals-in-waiting.
During the internship candidates for the MTeach will work with a
mentor teacher as a professional colleague, assuming the roles and
responsibilities of a beginning teacher (with a teaching load
equivalent to about 1/2 to 2/3 of that of a full-fledged teacher).
The internship is regarded by our students as the most significant
and rewarding component of the whole MTeach program. Many of our
former students have begun their teaching career in the schools
that they have done their internship at.
6.
Can I do more than just two (secondary) teaching
methods ?
Additional teaching
methods. Secondary students are required to do two teaching
methods (or a double method,in certain curriculum areas). It is
possible for a student to enrol in an additional (i.e third)
teaching method in the secondary program, subject to timetable
constraints.
7. What subjects must I have
done in my undergraduate degree to be eligible for the Primary
teaching program ?
Primary
prerequisites. Primary teachers need a relevant major and
sufficient breadth in their undergraduate subjects. Click
here
for further information.
8. What subjects must I have
done in my undergraduate degree to be eligible for the Secondary
teaching program ?
Secondary
prerequisites. Secondary teachers need to have completed a
relevant major, and have a sufficient breadth in their
undergraduate studies in their teaching specialities (method
areas). This generally means a full major (3 years of study) in
the first teaching method and at least two years study in the
second teaching method. Curriculum areas such as Science, social
science (HSIE) and technological and applied studies (TAS) have
particular requirements which need to be satisfied. Click
here
for further information
