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Pre-PGCE

Last post 03/02/12 at 22:17 by thequillguy, 12 replies
Post started by lwright88 on 20/01/12 at 12:16

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  • lwright88 avatar
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    Posted by: lwright88 20/01/2012 at 12:16
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    Joined on 28/09/2011
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    I wanted to get some advice from people who have been through their PGCE. I have got a place for September, and want to make the most of my time before then. Is there anything you wished you had know, or did prior to starting? I thought securing my subject knowledge for Maths and English. And some general reading?
  • ShinyShinyStar avatar
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    Posted by: ShinyShinyStar 20/01/2012 at 13:03
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    My advice would be enjoy your months of freedom before taking on what will probably be the most stressful time EVER when you won't have any spare time.

    (Brushing up on subject knowledge also probably won't hurt)

  • quietlydetermined avatar
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    Posted by: quietlydetermined 20/01/2012 at 17:06
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    ShinyShinyStar:
    My advice would be enjoy your months of freedom before taking on what will probably be the most stressful time EVER when you won't have any spare time.

    I agree with this!
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    Posted by: Georgia99 20/01/2012 at 18:45
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    Other than what the others have said :-) which is very good advice.....

    I would say that personally, if I had could have done anything to help myself pre PGCE, I would have got my head around the following three

    • assessment for learning
    • differentiation
    • learning objectives and outcomes

    You will learn them during the PGCE but for me personally I would have found life easier if I had an idea about them at the start. I am secondary.
  • Sparky1985 avatar
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    Posted by: Sparky1985 22/01/2012 at 10:31
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     Callup a local school and ask can you spend time volunteering- get used to how things work.  Ask a teacher you find good there if they will show you how they mark or write feedback

    Feedback marking, AfL, APP, Inclusion for All are all uber hot topics right now and being aware of them and understanding them before your course will def save you loads of time once placements start

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    Posted by: J-Dee 27/01/2012 at 19:28
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    Go out and have fun! Relax, make the most of your free time, as there is going to be a severe shortage of that over the next year! Whatever you want to do, go and do it! See your friends, and chill out! Other than that I'd seriously recommend buying and having a flick through 'Teachers Toolkit', it made my life soooo much easier! Mostly lots of relaxing, seeing friends and other mad crazy things you want to do!
  • MichaelRose avatar
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    Posted by: MichaelRose 28/01/2012 at 10:22
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    Hi there, I'm in the same boat, starting in September (Primary), so thanks for starting this topic. I'll be relaxing, but I've also checked out a few books - my library has them all: Sue Cowley's 'Guerilla Guide to Teaching: The Definitive Resource for New Teachers' (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guerilla-Guide-Teaching-Definitive-Resource/dp/0826492924) and Brilliant Trainee Teacher' (http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/denise+smith/brilliant+trainee+teacher/8035750/). I've also found that my university has a very relaxed library policy, no IDs to enter, so I expect I'll be 'just passing by' now and then to read a few texts. Not sure if we'll get a reading list in advance or not? I'll also be saving like crazy... next year will be busy and tough and affording it all is still a major concern for me right now. I hope to get some good contracts over the summer.
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    Posted by: pmac25 28/01/2012 at 11:10
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    Get as fit as you can. 

  • lwright88 avatar
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    Posted by: lwright88 30/01/2012 at 09:33
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    Some excellent advice, getting as fit as I can is really good advice- next year there won't be time and I want to be on the top of my game!!
  • the hippo avatar
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    Posted by: the hippo 02/02/2012 at 15:44
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    I did my PGCE course back in the early 14th century, but I would recommend collecting together as much money as possible. You will need it for all of the teaching resources you will be making or buying out of your own pocket.

    On a slightly less negative note, I would make sure that your IT skills are very good. Can you scan things into your computer? Edit illustrations and photos, so that you can incorporate them into a Word document? Can you print things out in colour and in black-and-white? Do you know how to make a PowerPoint?
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