Get an Education - The Bear and Badger

tigersgogrrr

A place to discuss education. This could be education for you, your family, your very own sovereign nation. Whatever.

Personally, I'm a few weeks into a SCITT course at the moment. It's been enjoyable stuff so far and I'm learning a lot. Really excited to get cracking on the Masters level work in a few weeks. Would love to write something regarding international educational comparisons but I'm fairly certain I won't have the scope to do so at this point. Maybe in the future.

Also, as ever, as per, Gove continues to anger me...

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/sep/12/early-years-schooling-damaging-wellbeing

The Daddy

What's a SCITT course?

Mod74

Initial Teacher Training

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/itt-routes/choose-a-course.aspx

School Centred (or based to be less jargonistic) is a type of it.

The Daddy

Yeah, just looked that up. I really should know that. When did they change it from being called GTP?

Anyway, Byker Gove can fuck the fuck off!

Yossarian

Futurelearn is going live next week. Free MMO courses in association with the OU. Sign up by Monday for early access.

https://www.futurelearn.com

beano

I wish I'd done a masters. Just for the experience rather than thinking it's needed.

Mod74

The Daddy wrote:

Yeah, just looked that up. I really should know that. When did they change it from being called GTP?

The missus had finished her SCITT the year before we met so at least 9 years.

The Daddy

Never heard of it. Suppose I've only ever dealt with normal Pgce types.

I enjoyed doing my masters, though it's been of fuck all use since.

Petey

Currently at the point in my job where I'm in the same / higher role than new hires who are coming in with PhDs. With nearly 5 years of experience as a software dev by now, I'm wondering if it'd be worth investing the time into actually getting a degree, or if there are other academic/useful qualifications that might serve me better. Or if I need one at all.

Mod74

I wouldn't bother. Experience trumps whatever bit of paper you have. Unless you suddenly decide you want to go into teaching. If you were doing it, part time I assume, then do an OU degree, you can do that as a combination of pretty much any subjects you fancy.

Vaguely related but in 12 years of working for a public sector body not once did anyone ask to see my certificate.

mistercrayon

I really enjoyed teacher training (the theory is neat) I was not cut out for actual teaching though. It turned out okay for me though as I have a pretty nice unrelated job now.

Aaroncupboard

I've been getting training through work, based around philosophy for children, and once I complete my second course I will be able to deliver INSET training to schools. One more course and I will be able to join the training company and train others.

Aiming to use it as a potential secondary career path for the future.

regmcfly

I've just spent the evening speaking to P7 cluster primary parents about the role of a pupil support leader. Speaking as if I'm an expert on my fourth day of the job. Derp.

Moto70

I start my BSc (Honours) Criminology and Psychological Studies next month with the OU. I don't know that it will do anything at all to enhance my life but I know that I'll be pleased I've done it.

regmcfly

Aaron - very few schools in Scotland offer philosophy at secondary level - I really wish more would.

Mod74

Philosophy for Children (or P4C) is different to actually teaching philosophy. Thinking skills basically. The missus does it with her kids. It's really good actually.

regmcfly

Ahhh that sounds like the Critical Skills stuff we teach kids. It's thinking / problem solving skills.

regmcfly

The Daddy wrote:

Never heard of it. Suppose I've only ever dealt with normal Pgce types.

I enjoyed doing my masters, though it's been of fuck all use since.

Think it's called a PGDE now . Mine definitely is.

Stopharage

Mod74 wrote:

The Daddy wrote:

Yeah, just looked that up. I really should know that. When did they change it from being called GTP?

The missus had finished her SCITT the year before we met so at least 9 years.

SCITT's didn't replace GTPs - GTPs were still running last year. 2 different things. GTPs have now been replaced by the School Direct programme.

tigersgogrrr

Re: SCITT.

GTP is being replaced by School Direct, I believe. Basically adjusting the GTP programme so half get paid while they work/train and half don't. SCITT is essentially a PGCE but with far more time in school which is a good thing™.

Hoping to get through the next interview stage for a Leadership specialism they're implementing this year. Essentially replacing a normal Primary specialism, this would put me on a 4 year track to deputy headship. I'm fairly sceptical about this, but another element to the programme would be the opportunity to take on more Masters modules next year. Masters modules paid for by someone else - This would be lovely, obviously.

tigersgogrrr

Dammit, Stoph.

hylian_elf

beano wrote:

I wish I'd done a masters. Just for the experience rather than thinking it's needed.

What kind of experience is that? My degree was a 4 year course that gave a masters qualification at the end. That final year was a royal cunt. Mathematical modelling for portfolio optimisation my fucking arse. I ended up with a 2:2. Maybe if I did a batchelors I would've managed a 2:1. At least I didn't have to pay to do a 'masters'.

As a result of the 2:2, I couldn't apply for a lot of jobs cos the bastards only accepted 2:1 or above.

Aaroncupboard

Mod74 wrote:

Philosophy for Children (or P4C) is different to actually teaching philosophy. Thinking skills basically. The missus does it with her kids. It's really good actually.

That's the stuff, does absolute wonders for their ability to discuss ideas, express themselves and communicate clearly. I was initially sceptical but I have built a session into my weekly timetable this year as it is excellent.

Reg, it has been used in secondary schools too, although more often with challenging behaviour situations. It isn't so much problem solving as a general discussion/enquiry into a question. There is no 'answer' as such. For example, with my year fives we were discussing whether sacrifice can be a good thing ( their question! ). It was fascinating.

hylian_elf

I need a career change and was actually thinking about primary school teaching. The wife was at first against it due to the large pay cut I'd have to take, but is now very supportive of the idea as she thinks it sounds like a very rewarding profession and the hours would suit someone with a young family.

g.man

'The fuck is this thread in the Games folder???

Curtis

g.man wrote:

'The fuck is this thread in the Games folder???

Indeed. I expected another oddball Indie game like 'Papers Please'.

Stopharage

Would you not consider secondary Elf? As a Head of Department I'm on almost the same as the average Primary Head. I couldn't be a Primary teacher don't have the patience or the skillset and really enjoy teaching the older kids.

hylian_elf

Ugh, secondary?! I'd probably end up wanting to kill the fuckers. Can't handle teenagers. Don't know what I'll do when my own get to that age.

Aaroncupboard

Both secondary and primary have their own sets of challenges. I don't think I could manage their behaviour as well as I would like too. Currently watching Educating Yorkshire and it is terrifying.

The Daddy

g.man wrote:

'The fuck is this thread in the Games folder???

My M.Ed was based around the use of games to promote engagement and development through implicit learning. Tiger obviously knew of this loophole.

Spock

I been in the secondary bidness for about 10 years; the whole of education at this level is fucked on many levels IMO. If I began ranting here I would never stop, but kudos to all y'all improving your bad selves and triple kudos to those teacher's/ trainees fighting the good fight.

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