PDE NUI Galway

airneal · 13-04-2013 3:14pm #1

Hi Everyone,

Just starting this new thread about the PDE for NUI Galway, as other prospective students have done for Maynooth etc, I myself am returning to do the PDE as a mature student. My background is in Science and have worked in the public/private service for a number of years and also juggled further studies and family life.

Just trying to get a feel for your aspirations, intentions and thoughts for yourselves regarding teaching in Ireland or abroad. The teaching profession is in a state of transition at present with reforms, cutbacks etc. I just want to get a feel for what you the teachers of the future feel is happening in this profession behind the scenes.

I myself, on having read related boards, have mixed opinions about the profession, however, I feel that behind the scenes that the profession will shine through again in the next couple of years. For example the whole approach of innovation/ research led teaching etc. Government backing of trying to build entrepreneurship into students, instil critical thinking instead of intensive learning is going to be the new education policy particularly in science related subjects. What do you think?

I have also read today, that Geography and History is not going to be compulsory under the new revised JC. These are all changes and ok giving the students a choice, but where overall do you see teaching going? I know that Colleges and teaching council have put a "Slow" now on graduates after this year, with the PDE becoming a 2 year programme. Do you think that this will give us more time or opportunities for employment in this country or is it merely a stop-gap? I'd love to get a full debate going on this. Many many thanks and congrats to all who are heading for Galway.

keesa · 13-04-2013 9:31pm

PDE?

Ficheall · 13-04-2013 11:09pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_differential_equation

compgeek · 14-04-2013 11:49pm

I think the OP may be referring to the PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education)

Ficheall · 15-04-2013 2:23am

compgeek wrote: »

I think the OP may be referring to the PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education)

You managed to garner that from a mere three hundred words? :eek:

airneal · 15-04-2013 2:20pm

Yep, Professional Diploma in Eduaction

Dobs1234 · 15-04-2013 10:58pm

Hi there,

Going for an 'quick chat' with the principle of Galway Community College, regarding possibly doing teaching practice there next year. It seems the demand for places around Galway city schools is quite high, so it may be either GCC or the school in my home town (which involves moving home). Anybody do their teaching practice in GCC or teach there that could possibly share their experience?

Cheers.

airneal · 16-04-2013 5:22pm

Dobs1234 wrote: »

Hi there,

Going for an 'quick chat' with the principle of Galway Community College, regarding possibly doing teaching practice there next year. It seems the demand for places around Galway city schools is quite high, so it may be either GCC or the school in my home town (which involves moving home). Anybody do their teaching practice in GCC or teach there that could possibly share their experience?

Cheers.

Well how did you get on with the chat? I'v contacted my old school and the principal told me, I should be ok, but still has to decided at board meeting. Everything is red tape now. Unbelievable.

Dobs1234 · 17-04-2013 10:23pm

The chat went fine, however, I don't know whether or not to take up the place (if I get offered it). The chat entailed somewhat of a health warning regarding the "confrontational" nature of the students I would likely be teaching. Not too sure whether or not I'm better off jumping in at the deep end or taking up a spot at a less "confrontational" school.

airneal · 18-04-2013 8:37am

Dobs1234 wrote: »

The chat went fine, however, I don't know whether or not to take up the place (if I get offered it). The chat entailed somewhat of a health warning regarding the "confrontational" nature of the students I would likely be teaching. Not too sure whether or not I'm better off jumping in at the deep end or taking up a spot at a less "confrontational" school.

I would jump for deep water. Start as you mean to go on. You'll always get messers, but the way to deal with that, is to ask them questions in class, they won't be long shutting up then! Wouldn't puzzle me at all

keesa · 22-04-2013 8:38am

The trick is be absolutely horrible, awful, cruel and strict on everything to them for the first month, then you can actually enjoy teaching them because they wont be taking advantage of you. And whatever you do, Don't Lose Your Temper! They'll make you a laughing stock

shenanagans · 25-04-2013 9:31pm

Galway Community College is better known as moinin na gciseach or Moinin. It would be one of the most challenging schools to do your Teaching practice in. Good luck.

roseise1993 · 21-06-2013 12:33pm

Hi just wondering if any of yous accepted your place based on 2nd yr results from college and if so, does this years results affect your place for the pde in galway. I received my results today and they are not the same from last years which I got offered my place on

Caiseoipe19 · 22-06-2013 9:22am

If you accept a place based on 2nd year results, then it doesn't matter if you don't do as well in final year, so long as you pass.

roseise1993 · 22-06-2013 6:03pm

ahhh that is fine then was worried all day yesterday when I seen my results

Rod241 · 26-07-2013 12:19am

Hi

I got accepted into the PDE in NUI Galway for September 2013. My teaching practice school is in Donegal, meaning that I won't actually be in Galway for a long period of time. because of this, I'm having trouble finding accomodation and I'm not sure if I should stay in a B&B or if I can get a room in a house for that period of time or not. I need some advice on where other students on the PDE stayed who had their teaching practice outside Galway! Thanks!

Caiseoipe19 · 28-07-2013 3:25am

Because we were in college for 2/3 of semester 1, I found a place that did not require a minimum of 9 months of a lease etc. For semester 2, as we were only in college for about 4-5 weeks, I commuted when I did go in. Others stayed in hostels and B&Bs in Galway. We had a lot of work to do so I missed a good few lectures in that last block, as there was often just one or two lectures a day so it wasn't worth my time travelling for them.

If you could find a few others doing the course that you could go together with and get a house together on a short term letting. It's much harder to find a single room for a short period, as opposed to renting a house as a whole. Rent.ie specifically caters for short-term lettings, as well as longer term.

airneal · 02-08-2013 9:07am

Sure a hostel will do you grand. You're only in 4 days a week for 14 weeks in total!!

Rod241 wrote: »

Hi

I got accepted into the PDE in NUI Galway for September 2013. My teaching practice school is in Donegal, meaning that I won't actually be in Galway for a long period of time. because of this, I'm having trouble finding accomodation and I'm not sure if I should stay in a B&B or if I can get a room in a house for that period of time or not. I need some advice on where other students on the PDE stayed who had their teaching practice outside Galway! Thanks!

PDE NUI Galway

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