Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Further Education and Training Teaching

Purpose

The qualification aims to

• Provide teachers with subject and discipline knowledge.
• Provide sound pedagogical content knowledge.
• Develop graduate teachers that are self-reflexive and demonstrate a commitment to a professional work ethics.
• Grow teachers who are empowered, active citizens able to respond to the needs of their learners.
• Develop the skill and ability needed from teachers to organise and encourage learning in all learners.

Teachers will take 4 Education Studies modules which will provide the required theoretical foundations of education. In addition, General Pedagogy and Education in Context are compulsory and provide the required components in preparation for the teacher in the classroom context. In order to attain the required language competencies, Conversational Language (Options of Afrikaans, isiZulu or Sesotho) must be taken in recognition of the need for teachers to have advanced computer and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge, a module on ICT Skills for Teachers is compulsory.

Rationale

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Further Education and Training Teaching, [PGCE (Further Education Training and Teaching)] is designed to take graduates from a variety of disciplines, who have not studied Education in their undergraduate Degrees, and provide them with the knowledge, skills and personal attributes needed to function effectively as teachers in the secondary school environment, that is, at Further Education and Training (FET) level. The choice of teaching subjects in the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE) is determined by the undergraduate Degree majors taken and recognised as a teaching subject. Graduates with a major in two or more recognised teaching subjects are eligible for this PGCE. Once completed, they may proceed to teaching positions. Thus the PGCE is open to candidates who have, for example, a Bachelor of Art (BA), BA Dramatic Arts, Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), or Bachelor of Science (BSc) with appropriate teaching subjects as a major in the Degree and who wish to qualify as secondary school teachers to teach at the Further Education and Training level.

The newly curriculated PGCE qualification will replace the current PGCE on the institution's Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) and will aim to address the increasing need for properly qualified FET Phase teachers. The one-year PGCE qualification provides an entry path into the teaching profession and is relevant for beginning professionals with no teaching experience as well as for persons who have teaching experience, but who do not have a professional educational qualification. The PGCE qualification makes provision for a career change over a short period of time.

The envisaged PGCE is aligned with the institution's mission and vision as it seeks to provide quality teachers for all schools, strive towards equity, address national and local needs and address past imbalances. The institution is positioned in the rural heartland of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and as such is optimally placed to provide students with unique teaching practical experience in a diverse range of environments. Research indicates that there is a shortage of students with multilingual skills in rural areas and the PGCE (FET Teaching) is designed to ensure that there is a constant inflow of new teachers with the requisite subjects.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission via RPL is possible. Candidates for RPL admission will be required to demonstrate suitability either through work experience and/or other prior learning that has taken place. The institution makes provision for RPL admission, in line with the policies of the institution.

Entry Requirements

• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or Diploma.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 7 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 12 Credits

• English Language for Teaching and Learning, 8 Credits.
• ICT Skills for Teachers, 4 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 5, 8 Credits (Choose one)

• Conversational Language for Teachers -Afrikaans, 8 Credits.
• Conversational Language for Teachers - IsiZulu, 8 Credits.
• Conversational Language for Teachers - Sesotho, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules: 80 Credits

• Education Studies 1A (Sociology, philosophy and history), 8 Credits.
• Education Studies 1B (Curriculum Development), 8, Credits.
• Education Studies 2A (Educational Psychology), 8 Credits.
• Education Studies 2B (Educational Management Science), 8 Credits.
• General Pedagogy, 8 Credits.
• Education in Context (Situational Learning) 8 Credits.
• Teaching Practice, A, 8 Credits.
• Teaching Practice B, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules: 40 Credits (Choose two)

• Accounting Education, A,10 Credits.
• Accounting Education B, 10 Credits.
• Afrikaans Education A, 10 Credits.
• Afrikaans Education B, 10 Credits.
• Business Studies Education A, 10 Credits.
• Business Studies Education B, 10 Credits.
• Computer Application Technology Education A, 10 Credits.
• Computer Application Technology Education B, 10 Credits.
• Economics Education A, 10 Credits.
• Economics Education B, 10 Credits.
• Engineering Graphic Design Education A (FET), 10 Credits.
• Engineering Graphic Design Education B (FET), 10 Credits.
• English Education A, 10 Credits.
• English Education B, 10 Credits.
• Geography Education A, 10 Credits.
• Geography Education B, 10 Credits.
• History Education A, 10 Credits.
• History Education B, 10 Credits.
• isiZulu Education A, 10 Credits.
• isiZulu Education B, 10 Credits.
• Life Orientation Education A, 10 Credits.
• Life Orientation Education B, 10 Credits.
• Life Sciences Education A, 10 Credits.
• Life Sciences Education B, 10 Credits.
• Mathematics Education A, 10 Credits.
• Mathematics Education B, 10 Credits.
• Physical Sciences Education A, 10 Credits.
• Physical Sciences Education B, 10 Credits.
• Tourism Education A, 10 Credits.
• Tourism Education B, 10 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the required knowledge for teaching in the Further Education and Training phase.
2. Use and apply the skills and dispositions needed for teaching in Further Education and Training phase.
3. Explore, critique and apply a range of practices relevant to diverse teaching and learning contexts.
4. Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge acquired from a variety of subjects and disciplines.
5. Act in accordance with the pedagogical content knowledge acquired.
6. Conduct evidence-based research.
7. Demonstrate self-reflexivity needed to inform and evaluate her own teaching practice at Further Education and Training level.
8. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the requirements of professional practice.
9. Take responsibility for managing her learning in both self-directed and collaborative contexts.

The following associated assessment criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the exit level outcomes

• Knowledge about how Further Education and Training (FET) phase learners develop and learn.
• Demonstrated skill in working with FET learners, including addressing possible barriers to learning.
• Demonstrate professional ethics in the context of the school, classroom and community adopted when working with FET phase learners.
• Develop and deliver appropriate learning programmes in the chosen subject areas.
• Observe, reflect on and address the FET learners' learning and development needs.
• Reflect on classroom and other information and knowledge acquired to inform practice, and to enhance own understanding of the chosen discipline.
• Understand and apply the key concepts and principles that inform teaching and learning at Further Education and Training learning and teaching level.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge so that it informs teaching practice in different contexts and of all FET learners in a democratic and inclusive culture.
• Stay up to date with developments in the teaching and learning of the selected discipline areas.
• Plan and implement curriculum and teaching activities taking into account the diverse needs of the FET learner/s.
• Source materials and activities, and use media appropriately in ways that integrate and ensure effective teaching and learning in the selected teaching areas.
• Demonstrate self-reflexivity in designing and delivering learning materials, activities, and assessments.
• Employ a clear work ethic and community-centred approach to the learning context.
• Demonstrate the ability to work alone and collaboratively.

Integrated Assessment

Quality assessment is central to credible certification and recognition of student achievement. The institution will ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices, in keeping with the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability.

Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, including in the teaching practice. Self-and formative assessment takes place in various ways in the face-to-face context, including through classroom activities, assignments, and written work. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the programme. A total of 10 weeks of teaching practice is included and is compulsory.