Modules Delivered
The UCD PDE - a brief overview
The PDE programme comprises five core modules:
- Educational Psychology and the Adolescent Learner/Special Educational Needs (EDUC 40010);
- Educational Policy and the School (EDUC 40710);
- Professional Practice 1: Planning and Managing Learning (EDUC 40020);
- Professional Practice 2: Curriculum Inquiry and Reflective Portfolio (EDUC 40030);
- Professional Practice 3: Teaching Practice/School Experience (EDUC 40040);
- and two optional modules from a range of Subject Pedagogy/Special Methods categories.
Students must take all six core modules and two Subject Pedagogy/Special Methods modules .
Assessment is by assignments and end-of-semester examinations, including the submission of a Teaching Portfolio on a CD Rom. Teaching Practice/School Experience is assessed on a continuous basis through the supervision process. Students receive seven supervisory visits during the course of the year. Students must achieve a pass grade in the Teaching Practice/School Experience module in order to be awarded the Professional Diploma in Education.
Foundation Modules in Educational Sciences introduce the student to the core disciplines, issues and concerns of education. These will consist of TWO modules:
(a) Educational Psychology and the Adolescent Learner/Special Educational Needs (EDUC 40010)
(b) Educational Policy and the School (EDUC 40710)
Subject Pedagogy/Special Method Modules vary slightly in number and structure from year to year - partly due to staffing and partly due to interest from among the student cohort. Students take two special methods subjects, at least one of which has been taken to degree level in the student’s first degree, and the other preferably as part of the degree. Students are expected to acquire teaching practice in both special methods subjects as they be will supervised in both subjects.
This year, subject to demand, we expect to be able to offer Subject Method modules in the following: English, Science (combinations of Physics, Biology, Chemistry), History, Geography, Languages (Gaeilge, German, Spanish, French, Italian), Classical Studies, Music, Mathematics, Religious Education, Business (combinations of Business Studies, Economics and Accounting), Information Technology, and CSPE (Civic, Social & Political Education). Note: Due to timetabling constraints not all combinations are possible. Final details of the Subject Methods roster for the year will be announced on the first day of the course.
Professional Practice Modules focus on research on the classroom, the curriculum and on professional development. This part of the course consists of three modules:
(a) Professional Practice 1: Planning and Managing Learning (EDUC 40020);
(b) Professional Practice 2: Curriculum Inquiry and Reflective Portfolio (EDUC 40030);
(c) Professional Practice 3: Teaching Practice/School Experience (EDUC 40040).
