Supplementing university maths credits with open university modules - does it work for TC?

levi · 03-09-2022 12:24AM #1

I’ve just read this very helpful thread about supplementing maths credits from your degree with open university modules.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2056306696/for-anyone-interested-in-gaining-a-maths-qualification

I didn’t want to go back to an old thread cos it hasn’t had a post since 2017. I’m hoping to completed the PME to become a maths teacher. I studied electronic engineering and having gone back thru my course, I think I have about 30-40 credits explicitly for maths so not the requisite 60 despite it being much more maths heavy than this. Per the linked thread, it seems that in the past, one could top up their credits with OU modules. I’m wondering have people managed to do this successfully and is this still possible?

On this thread, it was suggested that I should ring the TC for clarity but they now have a €200 fee for assessing your qualification - I’ll try calling on Monday but curious as to whether they’d advise on which OU modules to do or do I just pick what I think I need and hope for the best when they assess my qualification?

rainbowtrout · 03-09-2022 02:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058261672/supplementing-university-maths-credits-with-open-university-modules-does-it-work-for-tc

First of all, I started that thread and I did register with the TC for maths. Second, you won't be able to do the PME for a subject you are not qualified in. It's a bit of a catch 22. You can do the PME based on having a degree that is recognised by the TC for 'some' subject, and then top up with extra subjects after that, but usually not the other way around.

You can still do modules with OU to meet TC requirements to the best of my knowledge. It would also worth giving OU Ireland a ring, they have a Dublin office and they might be able to advise you. But you will have to contact the TC and see what they have to say about the modules they need. Ultimately they are the ones you have to satisfy.

levi · 03-09-2022 08:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119563185#Comment_119563185

Thanks for that - it’s really helpful.

I’m also a chartered accountant so from what you’re saying, I could register for the PME for accounting but could potentially get the extra modules from OU for maths either before or after doing the PME and then register for maths as well. But I’d have to do the PME on the basis of my accountancy qualification but then from that thread make sure to do the teaching maths module in the PME as well?

I can ring both next week and see what they say.

Treppen · 03-09-2022 09:45AM

I may stand corrected but I think the TC will require you to complete the Mathematics Teaching Methodology aspect, so will the OU offer those courses as well as the usual Calculus 1 etc.

Teaching Council really need to stop dicking around and advise any prospective maths teacher on options available... and stop charging €200 euro to wait weeks to give an answer.

If I were a principal and I knew you relatively well I'd be telling you to do the accountancy , try and do maths as a second subject to get the TM module, you'll get maths classes, then we can sort out all the requirements later.

At this stage we'll be asking our leaving cert students to come back and give us a hand with taking classes.

mtoutlemonde · 03-09-2022 12:41PM

If you're doing the PME, get the TC to tell you what you need exactly, history of maths will be one requirement. Whatever university you do the PME, they will let you register for those modules and exams and will not be as expensive as OU.

levi · 03-09-2022 02:07PM

I’m not doing anything yet… I’m trying to explore my options before potentially applying for the PME in the New Year for Sept 23. I fear that the TC won’t answer hypothetical questions but it’s very expensive and time consuming to do modules if they’re not necessary or even worse, they don’t lead you to your end goal.

I much prefer maths to accountancy and it seems that it would be more likely to lead to a stable job in Dublin at the end of it all as well. I have my degree in electronic engineering and a couple of the actuarial exams so I don’t think I’d have too much trouble with the LC maths syllabus once I was up to speed on it. I understand the need to complete additional modules but I just want to know what they are.

Is anyone aware of any maths courses I could do through Irish universities at night or online that would meet the requirements of the OU modules or is that possible?

Thanks for all the advice though - really really helpful.

rainbowtrout · 03-09-2022 08:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119563457#Comment_119563457

Yes, that's pretty much it in a nutshell

rainbowtrout · 03-09-2022 08:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119564799#Comment_119564799

It's probably worth checking with the TC if your electronic engineering degree qualifies you for any subject, it might qualify you for Computer Science or Applied Maths. If you were able to register for Applied Maths, I would imagine that a principal would look on that favourably in terms of teaching maths, while you make up the other modules.

levi · 14-09-2022 10:38AM

I’ve just spoken to the TC who have advised that they won’t assess my qualification without me being a registered teacher. They advised that I probably have to pursue the PME using my accounting qualification and then look to have my engineering degree assessed once I’m registered. Only then will I have clarity around what modules I need to fill the gaps and become registered as a maths teacher. Quite disappointed as I had hoped to do some of the maths modules either before or while undertaking the PME. I might ring one of the PME providers and seek their advice on it.

levi · 14-09-2022 09:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119616218#Comment_119616218

Update, I spoke to one of the PME providers who were super helpful and explained that engineers need to email TC with all module descriptors to clarify position on maths. Hopefully she’s right!

Treppen · 15-09-2022 07:40PM

Either way I think it's important to do all the teaching modules in a PME e.g. History of Maths, Maths Teaching Methodologies, the other stuff with straightforward maths topics are easier to add on .

If it's any help , I was nearly going to undertake a few maths modules through DIT at the time as they offered some of the same modules as OU , but much cheaper. Don't know if they're still available. It was evening courses at the time, but that was about 10 years ago.

At this stage I'd be sure if you got in with accountancy or whatever then they'd put you teaching maths if you were keen and willing to undertake qualification while teaching.

Any thoughts on doing Home Ec 😁?

deiseindublin · 17-09-2022 06:03PM

What about Engineering as a subject? You'd walk into a PWT job in any school in Dublin, especially if you told them you have Maths also, and going to upskill to get TC credit requirements.

Also, once you have a degree you can register as Route 3 for FE and then they'd assess your qualifications.

Supplementing university maths credits with open university modules - does it work for TC?

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