Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Two-Year Part-Time)

Programme Director: Dr LUI, Ming

This Postgraduate Diploma in Education is a taught programme to be completed in two years by part-time study. 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:

Traditional Stream

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 students 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 students 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 students 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.

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream

1. To develop in students expertise in subject knowledge and pedagogical skills pertaining to a specialising school subject which is not the major subject in their university study. The pedagogical skills include effective strategies for the planning, conducting and evaluating of teaching of this specialising subject; and
2. To enhance teachers personal qualities which support their daily work and professional development. These personal qualities include interpersonal effectiveness, creativity, self-understanding, and the motivation and readiness for self-reflection and self-improvement.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, graduates are able to:

Traditional Stream

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 works and professional development; and
6. Demonstrate a reflective and sensitive mind in educational practices and social issues to uphold professional integrity and advancement of the profession.

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream

1. Develop subject knowledge pertaining to a specialising school subject which is not the major subject in students’ university study;
2. Develop pedagogical content knowledge for effective teaching of the specialising school subject;
3. Acquire effective strategies for planning, conducting and evaluating of teaching of the specialising school subject;
4. Demonstrate a reflective and sensitive mind in educational practices and social issues; and
5. Show commitments 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 structure of the curriculum is as follows:

Traditional Stream

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream

The Programme adopts a variety of teaching and learning strategies to support the classroom learning and field practice. The Programme is conducted through lectures, lecture-discussions, seminars, workshops, active learning, action learning, problem-based learning, e-learning, micro-teaching, field practice, on-site peer observation, and criteria referenced assessment strategies. These strategies emphasise reflection, creativity and continuous development.

Requirements

For graduation, students must (1) complete a total of 26 units (for Traditional Stream)/28 units (for Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream), (2) obtain grade C- or above in all courses, (3) obtain grade S in 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.

Normally students should complete the programme in two calendar years. With special permission a student may extend the programme of study for a period of not more than 12 months. 

Traditional Stream

* The provision of electives, including options of EDUC 7901-9 Teaching of a Second Subject, will depend on students’ needs and resources of the Department.

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream – English

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream – Liberal Studies

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream – Mathematics (Junior)

Subject Teaching and Subject Knowledge Stream – Physical Education