Postgraduate Diploma in Education (One-Year Full-Time)

Programme Director: Dr LUI, Ming

The one-year full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Education is the conventional mode of teacher education for graduates before they join the teaching profession. The primary aim of the programme is to provide professional training for local school teachers who have obtained a bachelor's degree in an academic discipline. In the capacity of a teacher, a person may have to assume several roles in the education circle, some being more prominent than others at different stages of his or her career. The roles identified to be the focus of this programme are those of: a social and autonomous individual, a facilitator of learning, an educational innovator, and a professional educator. The objectives of the programme are:

1. To develop in students personal qualities which support their work and professional development. These personal qualities include interpersonal effectiveness, creativity, self-understanding, and the motivation and readiness for self-reflection and self-improvement;
2. To develop in student a functional knowledge of disciplines which informs educational practice. A functional knowledge of disciplines means basic knowledge of psychology, sociology and philosophy essential for the understanding of the aims and processes of education;
3. To develop in student expertise as subject specialist teachers in local schools. This expertise consists of effective strategies for the planning, conducting and evaluating of teaching of given school subjects; and
4. To develop in student knowledge essential for effective functioning within the profession and the wider school context. This knowledge encompasses issues in the professionalisation of teaching, educational management, organisation and policy.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, graduates are able to:

1. Develop functional knowledge of psychology, sociology and philosophy that are essential for the understanding of the aims and processes of education;
2. Develop pedagogical content knowledge for effective teaching of given school subjects;
3. Develop essential knowledge for effective functioning within the profession;
4. Acquire effective strategies for planning, conducting and evaluating of teaching of given school subjects;
5. Enhance generic skills to support their daily work and professional development; and
6. Demonstrate a reflective and sensitive mind in educational practice and social issues to uphold professional integrity and advancement of the profession.

Double Registration

Unless otherwise approved by the University, students admitted are normally not permitted to register part-time or full-time for any other qualification either at the University itself or at any other local institutions of higher learning. Students breaching this regulation are subject to discontinuation of their studies at the University. 

Structure

The programme adopts a student-centred approach, using a variety of teaching and learning strategies to support classroom learning and teaching practice. These strategies emphasise reflection, creativity and continuous development of the student. Teaching is conducted through lectures, lecture-discussions and seminars. Furthermore, real-life experience of life at school as a teacher is provided during the Field Practice periods and on-site supervision and peer observation are included in the different elements of the integrated practicum, i.e. subject instruction, microteaching, school experience and supervised teaching practice.

The structure of the curriculum is as follows:

Requirements

Normally students should complete the programme within one calendar year. With special permission a student may extend the programme of study for a further period of not more than 12 months.

To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education, a student must (1) complete a total of 32 units as required by the Department, (2) obtain grade C- or above in all courses, (3) obtain grade S in School Experience and Supervised Teaching Practice Assessment, and (4) achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. To be awarded Distinction for the programme, students should attain a cumulative GPA of 3.67 or above, with no course grade below B- and no repeated courses. Students attaining a cumulative GPA between 3.40 and 3.66 will be awarded Merit.

* The provision of electives, including options of EDUC7901-9 Teaching of a Second Subject, will depend on students’ needs and resources of the Department.