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PGCert in Learning and Development (Primary)

Course Leaflet (pdf)

The Programme aims to provide a response to the continuing professional development needs of fully registered and qualified secondary school teachers who wish to convert to become primary school teachers and in so doing advance their skills and knowledge and enhance their professional practice, through part-time study by e-learning.

The distinctive feature of the programme is its response to the new flexible arrangements for the recognition and registration of primary and secondary school teachers introduced by the GTCS in 2007-08 in keeping with A Curriculum for Excellence.

This programme will meet the CPD programme requirements set out by GTCS for fully registered secondary teachers who wish to convert their secondary school registration to allow them to teach in primary schools (see pages 20 to 24 of the Framework for Professional Recognition/Registration: GTCS August 2007).

The aims of the programme are to enhance and extend the skills, knowledge and understanding of the participants by the following ways:

• developing advanced knowledge and understanding of educational issues and theories relevant to teaching in primary classrooms
• developing the capacity to analyse critically, evidence and arguments to support professional judgements in complex and ambiguous situations
• making an informed contribution to current educational debates and discussions
• applying advanced knowledge and understanding of a range of theoretical perspectives and approaches to enhance personal professional practice in primary settings
• developing the capacity to shape and lead change in a variety of practice settings
• exploiting opportunities to use research to generate professional knowledge and enhance policy and practice.

Applicants will be graduates or able to provide evidence that they can work at postgraduate level. Additionally, entrants must be fully qualified, GTCS registered secondary teachers with suitable professional experience. They must meet the requirements set out in the Framework for Professional Recognition/Registration and complete a period of observation in primary schools before entry.

Programme Structure

The programme is comprised of two courses contributing to a total of 60 credit points at SCQF Level 11 (PG5):

• Course 1: Preparing for Learning and Teaching in Primary School (30 credits SCQF Level 11)
• Course 2: Developing Learning and Teaching in Primary School (30 credits at SCQF Level 11)

*SCQF refers to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and Level 11 within this framework describes study at postgraduate taught masters level.

Teaching and Assessment

Formative assessment is a feature of all postgraduate courses and in this case involves self evalaution of responses to a number of learning tasks. Summative assessments are desigend to arise naturally from the work covered and each course will be summatively assessed. Assignments involve providing evidence of critically reflective thinking and professional practice, and of the candidate's readiness to plan and deliver the primary curriculum.

Application Form for New Participants

If you wish to register for this Programme please complete and return the downloadable form: Application Form (Word - Right click the link and choose save target as to download - 41 Kb)

For further information contact:

E-mail: aps@abdn.ac.uk

School of Education · University of Aberdeen · MacRobert Building · King's College · Aberdeen · AB24 5UA · UK
Telephone: (+44) 1224 274776 · Fax: (+44)1224 274900 · E-mail: education@abdn.ac.uk

Page last modified: Monday, 21-May-2012 15:36:56 BST

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