If you’re training to be a teacher in Scotland then join the TES Scotland Trainee Teachers Group. This is the place to get together with other trainees to discuss your course, teaching placements, lesson planning and to get support from your peers.
grant2007Each course is different and each person should apply to the one which suits their learning style, and preferred method of progressing to be a teacher. No one course is "better". Each course is different. Each student is different too.
One thing which I have noticed is the difference in lesson planning. I know some Unis still insist on a full-blown lesson plan right to the end, others tail off to something which is closer to what you'll do as a probationer or a fully qualified teacher.
amysdadgeneral feeling from this year's students is that they've learnt more in school about teaching than they have in Uni.
amysdadI'd have preferred a course with more exposure in school and less written bumf but wasn't aware of any differences (and couldn't find any information about it anyway.)
I agree
More time spent in schools is my preference, then by 4th yesr BEd you are ready for the long period of continuous teaching. Edinburgh don't require full lesson plans for every leson in 4th year to the very end but Aberdeen do!
Research your course before starting, the information is usually there on the web somewhere- or ask on here as people are usually helpful, although always claim their uni is best!!!
Hi
I do know that all the teaching at Strathclyde Uni have more placements with more requirements than any other university in Scotland. As a B.Ed there (and have many family and close friends who have studied teaching at various institutions) I can see why Strathclyde has the reputation it does. In second year the placement is 7 and a half weeks with a crit and at least one lesson to be taught per day (building up to a mixture of quarter then half days with full days at the end) someone I know from another university had to teach only one lesson per week during their second year placement. Yes it may be that some courses have students pass that wouldnt pass at Glasgow or Strathclyde (the two with the best reputation) but this makes it all the more difficult for them as NQT's.
sillybananaHiI do know that all the teaching at Strathclyde Uni have more placements with more requirements than any other university in Scotland. As a B.Ed there (and have many family and close friends who have studied teaching at various institutions) I can see why Strathclyde has the reputation it does. In second year the placement is 7 and a half weeks with a crit and at least one lesson to be taught per day (building up to a mixture of quarter then half days with full days at the end) someone I know from another university had to teach only one lesson per week during their second year placement. Yes it may be that some courses have students pass that wouldnt pass at Glasgow or Strathclyde (the two with the best reputation) but this makes it all the more difficult for them as NQT's.
Yes, I agree more useful placements are better. At Edinburgh and Strathclyde( I have no knowledge of Glasgow) they build up year after year and lead to (in my experience) a good all round well developed teacher who is ready to teach their own class. By leaving the majority of placements to fourth year Aberdeen sometimes has students who are not "ready" for the whole day teaching they are being asked to do on placement, although I am led to believe the course is changing at the moment. Be wary though that trying to teach too many half/ full days early on means you ahve less observation time...and observations are a really good way to build on your knowledge.
G
Other than reputation (is this from present and past students or Times University Guide etc?) how do you compare different degrees with different structures etc? Do the staff working at these intsitutions not make a significant impact as opposed to just the structure/number of placements?
I'm not having an opinion or go at anyone/place etc - just trying to stimulate further discussion!
alxjohnsonOther than reputation (is this from present and past students or Times University Guide etc?) how do you compare different degrees with different structures etc? Do the staff working at these intsitutions not make a significant impact as opposed to just the structure/number of placements? I'm not having an opinion or go at anyone/place etc - just trying to stimulate further discussion!
Yes i am sure they do, as they do anywhere really!
I think it is important to look at the structure of the course as if that suits you as a learner then any variety of staff will seem less important as you will be motivated anyway to find out for yourself. For example, there is no point going to a uni where you are allocated a large percentage of "invertigative research and reading of journal time" if you prefer to learn through lectures. If that is the case you would be better off going to a 9 -5 style course.
The same applies to the number and frequency of placements!
Of course you also ahve to like the "feel" of the uni!
That's what I reckon - too many prospective students don't appreciate the course differences!
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