I.T. Degree to get into Post-Primary teaching

kormak

Hi Folks,
Looks like there’s a wealth of information in here, so I thought I’d fire out a few questions to assist my future career goals.
After working over 7 years in I.T, I’ve finally decided to do what I was going to do 7 years ago and study to become a post-primary teacher.
I’ve done a good bit of research and have a friend who’s been helping me out too with what my options are. But I’m still weighing up every option...
Basically, I only hold a HETAC Diploma, so I will first need to finish off a Primary Degree in a course similar to this field.
I’m also aware that once the course has been recognised by the teacher’s council and the subjects studied are on the LC curriculum, it should be sufficient to qualify pending the H.Dip???
Okay.... my next step is to figure out what I.T. Honours Degree course would be more suited towards the teaching profession. Is Technology & Computing considered a subject that is part of the LC curriculum?
What other courses will allow me to branch into other Post-Primary subjects, i.e. English?
I’m aware that some people have used their I.T degrees to branch into teaching Maths, but that’s a NO GO AREA for me! ;-j Numbers are not my game....
The other aspect is that I pretty much need to fo all this on a part-time basis, which again limits what I can study....
I’ve been checking out some of the courses in DCU to complete my degree, but I’m a little swamped and baffled now.
Can anyone offer me any options or tips on how to proceed with my ultimate career goal!!
Any info at all is appreciated.
Ck

dory

Really, I would say forget the diploma and re-start with a night degree in UCD or an online one with Open University (but the latter may not be recognised).

There's no such thing really as 'branching off'. You need a full degree. Even if there was a short cut, no principle will hire someone who doesn't have a full degree in a subject when there are dozens of unemployed teachers with degrees.

So, pick whatever you're interested in and study that to degree. IT isn't a LC subject, and people don't get hired just for that subject. Pick whatever you're interested in. All subjects have more teachers than jobs, but with English and History it seems more so.

kormak

dory wrote: »

Really, I would say forget the diploma and re-start with a night degree in UCD or an online one with Open University (but the latter may not be recognised).

Yeah, this was another option I am considering. Is it just UCD that offer to do Arts Degrees prt-time? DCU would be handier for me!

dory wrote: »

IT isn't a LC subject, and people don't get hired just for that subject.

According to the Teaching Council website it is??
http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/registration_information/default.asp?NCID=532
Computer Studies (IT or ICT)
I appreciate that there are probably a whole lot more teachers than jobs nowadays, but this is the way of the world today and I can't let that put me at least pursuing a career that I would be very gracious to get out of bed for in the mornings!!

dory

Well, according to the Teaching Council CSPE and SHPE are also subjects, but it's quite very to get a job if they are your only subjects. And do people take Leaving Cert examinations in the subject??

You can also do a degree with Oscail in DCU, but subject choice is limited.

spurious

The only exam subject in IT is an optional specialism in the LCA.

If you do a primary degree in another subject, then your IT experience might be the edge that gets you more than just a few hours on a contract, but I wouldn't count on the IT alone.