BEd Post-Primary - Learning & Teaching
At St Mary’s we aim to provide a high quality learning
environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and
best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable
students to achieve their full academic potential. On the BEd
(Hons) Post-Primary Programme we do this by providing a range of
learning experiences which enable our students to engage with
subject and professional experts. Students are supported in developing
attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life as a
professional teacher, while enhancing their development as independent,
lifelong learners. The results of the National Student Survey
have consistently shown that students rate the quality of teaching
and learning in the College very highly. The College has recently
completed an extensive refurbishment of the Student Centre, providing
welcoming areas for students to meet and socialise. Additionally,
the College has on its compact campus a modern, well-stocked library,
an IT Open-Access Suite, dedicated workshop areas, a fitness suite
and a specialist PE Centre. As St Mary’s students are also
students of Queen’s University Belfast, they have access
to facilities at Queen’s, including the Students’
Union, libraries, IT facilities, Chaplaincy, Queen’s PEC
and the Student Guidance Centre. Examples of the opportunities
provided for learning on this course are:
- Lectures: Lectures are used to provide students
with essential information and an understanding of topics often
as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.
Lectures also provide students with opportunities to ask questions
and gain some feedback and advice on assessments (often delivered
in large groups to all year group peers).
- Seminars/Tutorials: Significant amounts of
teaching are carried out in seminars and tutorials with small
groups (typically 8-20 students). These provide an opportunity
for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist
knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess
their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.
Students should also expect to make presentations and other
contributions to these groups.
- School-based Work: Working in schools forms
an essential part of the BEd Post-Primary programme. Students
spend over a quarter of their total time (at least 32 weeks
over the four year programme) teaching and gaining professional
experience in schools where they develop the professional skills
required to become a qualified teacher. School experience is
essential in helping students acquire the skills and competences
required for professional registration with the General Teaching
Council Northern Ireland.
- Workshops/Practical Work: Students will have
opportunities to develop the competences required to teach their
selected subjects and cross-curricular aspects such as literacy/communication
and using mathematics in dedicated workshop sessions. Where
students have chosen specialist subjects with a strong practical
component (such as Technology and Design), much of the associated
learning will take place in practical classes.
- Self-directed Study: This is an essential
part of life as a St Mary’s student, when important private
reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on
feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work
is carried out.
- E-Learning Technologies: Information associated
with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual
Learning Environment (VLE), using the College Intranet site.
A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree
through, for example, interactive group workshops; sessions
on the use of ICT in schools; web-based learning activities;
opportunities to use IT programmes designed for use with pupils
in schools, etc.
- Supervised Projects: In final year, students
are expected to undertake a supervised project which requires
them to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic
that they have chosen. They receive support from a supervisor
who will guide them in terms of how to carry out their research
and who will provide advice during the write up stage.
- Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated
a Personal Tutor on entry to the programme. The Personal Tutor
is available to meet with them and to give advice throughout
their time at St Mary’s, in support of their academic
development and to help students find support where required.
- Writing Centre and Peer Tutoring: St Mary’s
operates the first Higher Education writing centre to be established
on the island of Ireland. Through this students are assisting
in developing their writing skills. For example, students may
bring writing assignments to the Writing Centre to work with
other students or “peer tutors” who function in
a collaborative role, helping the students to discover what
they want to write and how to develop as university-level writers.
Incoming students have found the Writing Centre a valuable resource
and often continue visiting the Centre throughout their university
career.
- Study Abroad Opportunities: Students have
the opportunity to spend time studying in one of over 40 European
and North American universities and colleges with which the
College has developed links. For example, this could take the
form of a semester’s study in Norway, Belgium, Spain,
etc, (for which credits are transferred back to your degree
here in St Mary’s) or a one year placement in a North
American college as part of the Study USA initiative.
|
