PGCert Information and Communication Technology (Secondary)
ObjectivesThe Brunel PGCert (Secondary) course in ICT equips you with the skills of subject specialist teaching. It includes a focus on implementing and improving the recently developed National Strategy for ICT at Key Stage 3. It also allows you to gain an understanding of teachers' work in Special Educational Needs (Inclusive Education) and includes a varied strand of General Professional Studies.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements You should have or expect to have by the start of the course an appropriate degree (2:2 honours or higher) with significant ICT content from a UK or EU university at second class honours level or above; (or have a different degree plus significant and demonstrable ICT knowledge skills and experience) together with GCSE or GCE O level passes at Grade C or equivalent in English Language and Mathematics. Some BA/BSc or MA/MSc degrees from institutions outside the EU are acceptable in accordance with DfES regulations. You should take steps to gain first-hand and recent experience of ICT teaching and learning in a secondary school; if you are offered a place it will be on condition that you ensure you have recent observation experience in a state secondary school ICT department and are able and willing to use our WebCT e-learning environment in order to boost your skills and knowledge as required for this course by developing and completing an action plan between time of accepting a place and commencement of the course in September. The action plan may extend into the course itself if there are significant areas needing development. You must have an interest in education and learning. Experience of working with young people is desirable too and preference is given to those who have worked in schools. You must be able to communicate clearly and grammatically in spoken and written standard English. Trainees are recruited from a range of backgrounds and applications from mature students and ethnic minorities are particularly welcome. Protection of Children Act: All applicants for Initial Teacher Training courses should note that institutions are required by the Department for Educational Skills to check the possible criminal background of all those who apply to work with children. The University reserves absolute discretion to withdraw any offer without challenge in the light of any information received.
Academic titlePGCert Information and Communication Technology (Secondary)
Course descriptionCourse Summary
The Brunel PGCert (Secondary) course in ICT equips you with the skills to teach this specialist subject. It includes a focus on implementing and improving the recently developed National Strategy for ICT at Key Stage 3. It also allows you to gain an understanding of teachers' work in Special Educational Needs and includes a varied strand of General Professional Studies. Throughout the main ICT programme, theory and practice are integrated and full use of practical school experience is made.
The University works in partnership with local schools for initial teacher education through a professional tutor system (teachers in school who act as monitors during school placements) which not only helps to ensure that courses are meeting the needs of schools but also gives students a sound appreciation of the profession.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
All primary and secondary courses meet Government requirements. Successful completion of the PGCert programme and evidence of achieving the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) will lead to the award of a PGCert with recommendation for QTS. These Standards include the National Skills Tests for numeracy, literacy and ICT.
Throughout the main ICT programme, theory and practice are integrated and full use of practical school experience is made. The ICT programme enables you to:
* teach and use ICT applications in a variety of educational context;
* understand the nature and role of ICT in the National Curriculum;
* develop the ability to plan, teach and evaluate ICT lessons and to assess pupils' work in KS3;
* appreciate schools' management and co-ordination of ICT;
* work collaboratively with other teachers using ICT;
* know the range and requirements of ICT courses at KS4 and post-16, with a particular emphasis on the 11-16 age range for the purpose of QTS assessment;
* develop your own special interest and skills in ICT;
* develop as a reflective, committed professional educator, able to handle the problems and challenges of teaching and of educational change.
Modules (all core)
* General Professional Education
* Planning, Teaching and Assessment
* Subject Knowledge ands Understanding: Inclusive Practice
* QTS Skills Test
* School Experience (two modules)
Trainees normally spend eight weeks in school for the first School Experience module and the final synoptic module is compulsory for all trainees (usually of eight weeks).
Special Features
The course is planned and taught in partnership with Heads of ICT and a Professional Tutor in local schools. Serial and block school experience take place in partnership schools selected for the quality of teaching and learning and the support offered to trainees by experienced subject mentors.
Assessment
Coursework is designed to enable the trainee to reflect upon and synthesise the underpinning knowledge about ICT teaching that they develop during the PGCert year. In order to gain the PGCert qualification and be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, trainees must meet the Standards set out in TTA publication 'Qualifying to Teach', including three national online skills tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT skills. Successful candidates develop a Career Entry Profile, which provides the basis of the trainee's induction year as a Newly Qualified Teacher
Teaching Methods
A variety of teaching and learning methods is used:
* visits to particular types of schools, for instance primary schools, special school;
* fieldwork with pupils, and other visits to relevant places to do with the school curriculum;
* you will be taught in groups of different sizes and compositions to provide as much variety of experience as possible;
* good practical examples are set out so that you learn from direct teaching experience;
* lectures, seminars and workshops;
* group-work, independent learning and investigation, and guided discovery;
* observation, portfolio preparation, and self-analysis and reflection on teaching practice;
* guest speakers from experts in your subject fields.
Careers
Information and Communication Technology has been taught under various names in secondary schools since the late 1970s, originally as Computer Studies - with a strong emphasis on programming and technical knowledge - then with more and more focus on computer applications, and their uses in most subjects in the curriculum.
In 1989 Information Technology (IT) became part of the Design Technology subject area in the National Curriculum but in 1995, after the Dearing Report, IT was given foundation subject status in its own right, its basics being seen as core skills and an integral part of good practice in most subjects. For some years it has been known as Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
ICT is a GCSE and A level as well as a vocational examination subject.
ICT is a designated shortage subject because schools find it difficult to recruit well qualified specialist ICT teachers.