Teaching computer skills.

Deliverance

I'm interested in getting into this area, I am a prolific computer user, have a BA in multimedia, and other qualifications as well i.e. MOUS. Are these qualifications enough or would I need something more.

The VEC sounds interesting, I would like to get into teaching adults / mature students or maybe even voluntary work with any initiatives in the Cork city area. Any suggestions or advice on this much appreciated. I'm pretty open, obviously paid work is good as the bills must be paid, but I'm quite willing to teach on a voluntary basis as well for the experience and the satisfaction from helping out as well.

Henry's Cat

I think the JEB course has modules in teaching practices and lesson planning so that might be a good intro to teaching seeing as you have qualifications in the practical aspects.

sitstill

I don't know about the VEC sector, but to teach in a secondary school, you'd need to do a HDip in Education/Postgraduate Diploma in Education with a methodology module in ICT.

Tom Dunne

To teach in a VEC, you need the jeb.

To lecture at third level, you would need a BSc in computing, or a computer discipline. So I wouldn't think that was an option for you.

Deliverance

Thanks for the advice folks. I'll look into the JEB but it seems like another 2yrs rehashing what I kind of know already. Can I not just apply to the vec with a portfolio of experience of training which I already have i.e. 6yrs+ training (BA in multimedia, ECDL, MOUS, Diploma in Business Computing etc, plus a very competent approach, attitude and natural ability to teach?

Any further advice appreciated.

torregolf

You don't need JEB for VEC. You need a degree - VECs always looking for night class tutors so maybe a good way to introduce yourself

freire

torregolf wrote: »

- VECs always looking for night class tutors so maybe a good way to introduce yourself

I second that - VECs are usually looking to recruit amenable eager people for night and day work, it's pretty lucrative also. Seek out the Adult Literacy officer/ co-ordinator in your area and give them a bell to arrange a meeting, usually informal, bring along a CV and chat. If they like you you're in with a shout. Most of what they (VEC) do (in computers) is not very advanced so I reckon your qualifications and interests should get you there.

Tom Dunne

torregolf wrote: »

You don't need JEB for VEC. You need a degree - VECs always looking for night class tutors so maybe a good way to introduce yourself

Well, that's not what I was told about three years ago when I considered applying for a post.

I didn't apply on the basis that I didn't have the crappy JEB, despite having an MSc in computing.

I had the same - just an MSc in Computing - when I applied to Kilkenny VEC for just this type of teaching. I got no reponse, and had to keep phoning them to find out what was going on. Eventually I got a letter telling me that they had assembled a "panel", and I wasn't on that.

kittex

freire wrote: »

I second that - VECs are usually looking to recruit amenable eager people for night and day work, it's pretty lucrative also. Seek out the Adult Literacy officer/ co-ordinator in your area and give them a bell to arrange a meeting, usually informal, bring along a CV and chat. If they like you you're in with a shout. Most of what they (VEC) do (in computers) is not very advanced so I reckon your qualifications and interests should get you there.

As a public sector body, do they not have to advertise positions? This sounds a bit like canvassing to me, which is supposed to be long done away with for fairness etc.

freire

kittex wrote: »

As a public sector body, do they not have to advertise positions? This sounds a bit like canvassing to me, which is supposed to be long done away with for fairness etc.

The way I understand this one is;
If they need a person to fill a vacancy i.e. take a class or course at short notice they're not going to have time to advertise so they'll take on whoever they are aware of who can facilitate this class/course. Think of it as subbing.

As for advertising and canvassing I think most people are aware that in the larger picture it's still all about knowing people etc. Maybe I'm just being cynical but I've applied for plenty of advertised posts that I feel were already filled, though advertised in the interests of 'fairness'. Took me a while to figure that one out.

Deliverance

Thank you all, that is very helpful advice. I think that I'll contact them soon to see if they find me good enough for a position.