Developing QQI Course

dublinteaching · 02-11-2024 05:37PM #1

Hi folks,

I'm not sure if this is the right section for this, but couldn't see anywhere it fitted better. I offer training currently as a side gig, but would love to do it full time. I spoke with people in a couple of ETBs and they said that the training (in this particular topic) would be very welcome, but that I would have to be certified to be offered through ETBs - so go through the QQI process. It would be to teach one module. I am not put off by the level of work/paperwork involved, more that there is a chance that i put in a huge amount of work without guarantee I will get the certification in the end.

I am very keen to do this, but I am a solo operator, and just wondering if anyone else has done this with a small or solo team? Any advice or suggestions appreciated!

Hontou · 04-11-2024 08:33PM

Most teachers teach up to 10 modules. It would be very difficult to get work teaching one module. Generally, the people who develop the courses are existing, experienced teachers. At QQI level 5 or 6, the teachers are qualified second level or further education teachers. This involves having an undergraduate degree and a masters in education or a concurrent teaching degree. It also depends on the demand for the course. For practical courses, such as hairdressing, you would need years of experience and a teaching qualification recognised by The Teaching Council so you could be registered as a teacher.

dublinteaching · 10-11-2024 02:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122799942#Comment_122799942

Hi Hontou, appreciate you replying! for some reason I couldn't see your reply until today.

I think I understand that you're saying that most people teaching in ETBs or in FE are qualified teachers. i accept that you obviously know alot about this, and really appreciate the reply. Although i do know people teaching level 5 or 6 who just have UG qualification, without teaching qualifications but in emerging areas e.g. teaching early childhood education, which is only more recently professionalised and therefore there is limited numbers of people who have further education in this area. I don't think just anyone can rock up and be a teacher, on the contrary, but sometimes experts teach right?

if you have time could you clarify what you meant about only teaching one module? If i have been asked to develop a single module, then this must be possible?

I have essentially been asked to develop this training
It is in a very new area where there really is no qualification for it, other than expertise, which i have. I.e. few people are experts in this area. There is no curriculum on it.
No I am not a qualified teacher but have facilitated workshops and provided training to many groups, including learning outcomes. This was also part of my professional training i.e. facilitating groups as a health professional
When looking at the QQI website, it doesn't say anything about teaching qualifications, so now i am at a loss and wondering if this is possible at all. I definitely don't have time to develop the course in my spare time, go through QQI process and get a teaching qualification!

Upandout · 10-11-2024 03:02PM

Qqi do not take on a piece of training and certify it.

They develop national standards for high demand. These would be developed with the relevant stakeholders so govern bodies etc. There are hundreds of them already. And development takes year + minimum when it can be fitted in to their program.

The other process is where a provider seeks approval for a course developed through their QA proceeds, e.g . An ETB.

Qqi providers go through a two stage year long process. Part of the process is to approve the policy in having appropriate people teaching. It would be expected to see qualified teachers in this day and age not experts without pedagogical training. There are some very few sector exceptions.

dublinteaching · 10-11-2024 05:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122823525#Comment_122823525

I appreciate this response thanks. I feel from the tone of yours and Hontous responses that maybe I gave off a "blasé" vibe, when I am very serious about. I don't think anyone can bail in and start teaching, but yet i know several people who do teach in ETBs and FE without teaching qualification, so thats why i was confused. From your responses its looking like its very unlikely that this will happen for me, but then strange that I was encouraged to go ahead by staff in two separate ETBs. (they approached me)

On a tangent. Vast majority of University lecturers do not have ANY teaching qualification i.e. less qualified to teach than what you've both expressed here. ( i have worked in Higher Education in the past) Essentially they are subject matter experts who then develop curricula. I personally think they should have a teaching qualification just to be clear. But seems strange to me then that in contrast an ETB, PLC or FE would expect years of experience, and a teaching qualification, so a much higher standard in practical terms than Uni. There is now a Masters in UCC I think in "teaching at third level" which i think will become more necessary in the future but there is certainly no existing need or criteria for it at third level.

Hontou · 10-11-2024 06:06PM

There are lecturers in universities that don't have level 9 and 10 qualifications, and there are teachers teaching in some schools and in further education that don't have level 8 or teaching qualifications. However, they 'got in' before these were a requirement and are now protected by their permanent contracts. I think some may have to upgrade their qualifications within their roles but I stand to be corrected on this. Since The Teaching Council was established it is very difficult to get into further education, teaching level 5 or 6 without being registered. If you are an expert in a trade you can teach apprenticeships. In terms of teaching more than one module, I usually get 3 x 40 minute classes to teach one module a week so end up teaching up to 11 different modules (in my area of qualifications) to make up my full time teaching contract. QQI and ETBI contact teachers periodically for their input into updating modules. I personally would like to see more industry experts consulted in this process. If you are an expert in a high demand area, then it is good news that you have been asked to develop a module. There are many outdated modules still being taught unfortunately but teachers themselves update the content to best fit the learning outcomes to make them relevant today.

Upandout · 10-11-2024 07:00PM

No tone meant just information that things have changed considerably.

I too hear x is teaching and isn't qualified. But those days are gone. Any university I deal with do ensure there is teaching experience or assessment, there are so many euro projects amd collabs that oversight is now more common.

HE and FE are to be fair completely different. FE learners could be from literate level to a first year college level, so to be fair it is a huge demand of teaching skills.

Qqi do gather subject matter experts, generally in the public sector or big stakeholders who voluntarily help reviews or development of national awards. Which are then available to all of their providers.

Unfortunately your information is just simply out of date. So those saying it are fine because they are already in and won't be impacted.

Upandout · 10-11-2024 07:02PM

There is a few courses in Maynooth for F E teachers that is the most common one I have seen .

dingdangdoo22 · 10-02-2025 12:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122823951#Comment_122823951

Did you ever progress it any further?

Developing QQI Course

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