Technology (FT) Grad Dip Ed in UL

snoopy_10

Have been looking into doing my H Dip or Post Grad in Ed for a while now...just wanted to see if anyone had done this course in UL and how they found it...and on a seperate note, if I do this course or if I get a place (my research shows loads of people apply each year but there are only a few place prob 20 broken down into 10 for woodwork and 10 for metalwork, I could be wrong ? ) can you use this qualification to teach in the UK, OZ and Canada ?

I sent all my stuff of to the teaching council and they told me I need to go to UL to be able to teach at secondary level, I have been vetted by the teaching council and Garda Vetting unit, all clear on that end, I have visited some schools and done some shadow work with some teachers to get an upto date idea of what a classroom is like these days, have researched the leaving cert woodwork past papers and tech drawing papers.....is there anything else I could be doing ?

Has anyone completed this course and how have they found the job prospects, is woodwork and tech drawing easy to get a job in compared to other subjects, I know things are quite at the moment but in general are these good subjects to have

And in terms of the course has anyone any advice on the interview as a lot of people pass the skills test but fail on the interview...any hints or advice

Lions E

I got to interview stage a few years ago in the woodwork section. There was 4 interviewers. Very indepth questions on a whole range of issues. Basically I felt I needed to know everything about everything on junior and senior cycle sylabuses. The course has since been lengthened by a semester as how can anyone be expected to know it all. That's then whole point in doing course in first place.
There were 22 of us called for interview and I think 9-10 were excepted on course. Hundreads applied to do skills test!- It's a bit of a money making raquet really.

pmonster

Hey im in the course at the moment. Its a very intense course lots of work you never get a free moment. The year I applied there were around 200 applicants most get through the skills test. Most people in the course didn’t get in first time around.

I answered all the questions on the drawing paper and practiced my woodwork a good bit before going for the tests.

The interview is very intense 3 or 4 interviewers and they will ask very hard questions on all aspects of teaching. Expect very hard questions.

This year there are 21 in the course. There should have only been 20 but there was a mix up with courses. There are only 4 doing the metal work course this year two last year.

Don’t know if you know this but fees are about €5,000 this year.

Another thing is the course is going up to a 2yr course don’t know when though.

If you want any further help just ask

Noodledoodle

Hi ... a relative of mine is applying to the wood technology stream this year. He is working hard on prep for the bench test but is anxious re the interview. If you could point him in the right direction re how to prepare for the interview it'd be really great as he has been told very differing accounts of what to expect from various past teachers ... etc but knows nobody who has been through the experience.
Hope you or somebody can offer help or advice ... please.

Thanks

Noodledoodle

Many thanks for the pm ... he said it was very helpful. Had interview but not at all hopeful ... lot going for few places! Said it was tough. He is starting work placement soon to get ready for next year if it doesn't work out.

Thanks again!

seavill

I have only seen this post today so apologies for the lateness of the reply.

First off not being a pain about it but for anyone going into doing the interview I would make sure you have the correct titles of the subjects leaving cert is Construction Studies and Design and Communication Graphics not leaving cert woodwork and tech drawing went out in 2008 as far as I can remember. If I had anyone appear in front of me for an interview and did not get the names right I would disregard them immediately.

Secondly jobs are not plentiful at the moment. I kept an eye on the jobs sections of the Irish Independent for a number of weeks saw no jobs for prob 4 or 5 weeks then one week there were 2 jobs one for 2 hours, yes 2 hours, per week and another for 7.5 hours a week.

snoopy_10

so just to add to this and to give some feedback, went to UL, was one of 200 odd looking for one of 18 or one of 9 should i say places...i didnt get past the skills test...friend of mine has been at interview stage now for the past 4 years...looked for sub work in every school and VEC within and hour or two drive from where I live...am reg with teaching council and garda vetted...heard today that for subjects wood and design CG u have to have dip before you will get sub work...I am going to look at the GTTR route and try the Uk wales and scotland...hopefully wales as it is closer to home...fairly depressed at the moment...but sure thats the way in went anyway...if anyone has any advice on GTTR please post up, and to all you get a place in UL this year well done and if you could post up and feedback on interview that would be a help...

Da_man91

Snoopy_10, How did you get on with following the GTTR Route, I recently went for the Skills test and interview for the New Masters of Education (Technology in UL) and was not successful in the interview. I knew coming out of it that I hadn't got it. The questions they ask you are tough and a good knowledge of the current education system is required aswell as many other aspects.

spurious

snoopy_10 hasn't logged in since 2011, I don't know if he will answer.

jonny_bravo

It's sounds that you're just aswel off not getting in...I just graduated this year from the undergrad tech ed course...no job in sight, only emigration! Two thirds of the year are off to England to teach and the other third have either failed or gone on to do a masters in a totally different department. This course is deceiving from the outside...a hell of a lot of work for little or no gain!