Preparing for a PGCE
Introduce yourself to the PGCE programme and learn what the rewarding life of a teacher looks like.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
3 hours
Preparing for a PGCE
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Get a headstart in the world of teaching with this introductory course
The PGCE is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education that proves your credentials as a teacher in England, and can also allow you to teach abroad.
As a potentially important qualification to gain, preparing yourself to study for it is important. On this course, you’ll examine the academic literature around what teaching and learning in schools look like.
Based upon the University of Warwick’s successful PGCE programme, you’ll learn observational teaching skills – along with key legal knowledge – that will stand you in great stead for the PGCE to come.
Syllabus
Week 1
Foundational building blocks
Week 1: Activity 1
The steps in this activity welcome you to the course; they introduce you to the course objectives and the educators who will support you throughout the course, then they give you the opportunity to get to know some of your peers.
Week 1: Activity 2
The steps in this activity discuss the motivations for teaching; give more information about the PGCE year and introduce three key principles - the Teachers' Standards, the ITT Core Content Framework and British Values.
Week 1: Activity 3
The steps in this final activity for Week 1, look at your teaching philosophy, summarise what we have covered this week and give you access to the references and sources used throughout the week.
Week 2
Observing and reflecting, behaviour management and safeguarding
Week 2: Activity 1
The steps in this activity articulate this weeks objectives, discuss the process of lesson observation and introduce you to the practical and ethical considerations of observing and reflecting on lessons.
Week 2: Activity 2
The steps in this activity explain what reflection is and why it is an essential professional skill for teachers. The steps encourage you to recognise the value of reflection throughout your teaching career.
Week 2: Activity 3
The steps in this activity focus on behaviour management and key legislation, namely: safeguarding, child protection and Prevent. They also discuss how to spot some of the signs of neglect and abuse in children.
Week 2: Activity 4
The steps in this final activity for Week 2, give you the opportunity to reflect on progress, summarise what we have covered this week and give you access to the references and sources used throughout the week.
Week 3
Supporting you through your training year
Week 3: Activity 1
The steps in this activity articulate this week's objectives and consider the concept of effective teaching in the different age phases. Links are also made with the Teachers' Standards.
Week 3: Activity 2
The steps in this activity consider the importance of teacher mental health and well being and introduce you to professional bodies that can provide support throughout your training and career.
Week 3: Activity 3
In these steps we look at subject knowledge and phonics for early years and primary students and introduce the concept of Pedagogical Content Knowledge.
Week 3: Activity 4
The steps in this final activity for Week 3, give you the opportunity for deeper reflection, to summarise what we have covered this week and give you access to the references and sources used throughout the week.
Week 4
Looking forward to the PGCE
Week 4: Activity 1
The steps in this activity articulate this week's objectives and consider the concepts of attainment gaps and inclusion.
Week 4: Activity 2
The steps in this activity consider looked after children, give you the opportunity to discuss what you have learned in this activity and the previous one and also include a quiz to test your knowledge.
Week 4: Activity 3
The steps in this activity consider professional values, we look forward to your first term on the PGCE and revisit your teaching philosophy.
Week 4: Activity 4
The steps in this final activity for Week 4, give you the opportunity for some final reflections, to summarise what we have covered this week and give you access to the references and sources used throughout the week.
When would you like to start?
Date to be announced
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Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Investigate what might be involved in completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme
- Reflect upon your own motivations for wanting to become a teacher
- Develop initial understanding of the centrality of safeguarding to the role of the teacher and some key aspects of safeguarding.
- Investigate the importance of reflective practice for teachers
- Explore the importance of good mental health and wellbeing for teachers
- Identify the importance of subject knowledge for teachers and begin to develop your own subject knowledge in areas of need
Who is the course for?
This course is aimed at anyone who has accepted a place on an English PGCE course or is preparing for a teaching career in higher or further education
Who will you learn with?
I am an Associate Professor and Head of Digital Learning in the School of Education, Learning and Communication Sciences (SELCS) at Warwick University.
I am an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, working with secondary Computer Science trainees
I am an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick working with primary PGCE and MA students.
Who developed the course?
The University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is forward-looking, entrepreneurial and globally connected. With new ways of thinking and achieving it stands out from its competitors as an inspiring place to study.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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