Diploma in Education (2+3)

The full time Diploma in Education Programme is an initial teacher education programme leading to a professional qualification for teaching in local schools. The students will receive teacher training together with their major degree programme in the final three years of their studies. The advantage of this programme is that it provides professional teacher training alongside academic study of a major discipline, thus better integrating the two domains of knowledge. Students taking the four-year curriculum will primarily be admitted to the Diploma in Education programme at their third year of study. With an additional year of study, they are required to complete the teacher education curriculum cum their remaining major studies in a period of three years. Students may also be admitted to the programme at their fourth year of study subject to the availability of places.

The Diploma in Education programme based on the same philosophy as the PGDE programmes, has a special focus on pre-service learning needs. The programme provides undergraduate majors with professional preparation for teaching in local schools. As a teacher, one has to assume several roles, some more prominent than others at different stages of one’s career. The roles are social and autonomous individual, facilitator of learning, educational innovator, and professional educator. These four roles serve as the building blocks of the programme. The aims of the programme are to develop in students:

1. 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;
2. 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. 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. 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 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.

Structure

This is a 32-unit programme, comprising required courses (18 units), an elective course (2 units) and Integrated Practicum (12 units), to be taken in three years of full-time study. Students have to take eight required courses, one elective course and the Integrated Practicum, which includes Subject Instruction I and II, and Field Practice.

The structure of the curriculum is as follows:

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, School Experience and Supervised Teaching Practice.

Requirements

To be eligible for the award of the Diploma in Education, students must (1) complete a total of 32 units as required by the Department, (2) obtain grade C- or above in all education-related courses, (3) obtain Grade S in School Experience and, Supervised Teaching Practice I and II, (4) achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher, and (5) satisfy the graduation requirements of the undergraduate major degree. 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.