Teaching Methodologies in the H.Dip

dory

Has anyone here done the H.Pid in Ed? Seems to be a lot of primary teachers or lecturers here!

I'm wondering about the teaching methodologies modules on the course. In Cork anyway you can take a course in a number of subjects and you dont have to have done them for your degree (although it would make sense).

I know a friend of mine did an Arts degree and then took the PE teaching module and now teaches PE a bit. That modules gone now.

My question is does every H/Dip in Ed course have these modules and does anyone know if you're def allowed teach the subject you do it in? I can only find info on this on Corks site, no others.

Cheers

kittex

I'm slightly confused by the title of the course and this thread.

Methodologies are your teaching methods - strategies such as formative assessment and TEFL. Not the curricular content

And also why would you be studying a specific subject for Primary?

dory

Sorry, meant to specify, Im talking about getting into secondary teaching.

There are courses such as 'teaching methods in English', 'Teaching methods
in Geography' etc as part of the HDip.

Im wondering has anyone done these.

And if someone comes out of a degree with one teachable subject, and has to do 2 methods courses like everyone else, are the allowed teach that subject or not? I know in some instances they are but I've heard it depends on the principal.

Just looking for other peoples opinions on this.

kittex

As far as I know, you would be allowed teach the subject you don't know in a non-specialist sense. So for example, for sickness cover purposes or to co-op teach.
I am an English teacher with non-specialist RE. So basically, I would never be employed for my RE, but it could be used by the school if they are short of RE teachers.

Why don't you ask the uni you're thinking of applying to for more information? They'll have the latest legal info and guidelines for your subject area and would certainly be the best port of call.

dory

I will, thanks. Thats just what I was wondering, I never knew about that specialist thing.

vallo

You take 2 "special methods" courses as part of your HDip - one major (you will be supervised while teaching classes in this subject) and one minor. In theory, neither subject needs to be connected to your primary degree. You could be a maths graduate, but take history and geography as your 2 special methods subjects. However, there are 2 catches.
First, to become a registered teacher, you need to register as a teacher in a specific specialisation and the teaching council have a list of "qualifying degrees". There is a list which will tell you what subjects your primary degree allows you to become a registered teacher of. This is included in the booklet that UCC/UCD etc send out to the HDip course applicants.
Also, it is worth considering that principals will be looking for teachers with the best overall qualifications when employing new teachers - so in the above example, even if you are the best historian ever, you mightn't be able to get a job as a history teacher without a relevant degree. Principals and boards of management are very conservative and look for straightforward qualifications. Once you are registered and have an incremental post you can pretty much teach what you want!