Design and Technology (Materials Technology and Systems and Control) GTTR code: W9X1
The programme combines academic study of D&T education with a range of practical experiences in schools and in the University. Together these prepare you to teach in one of two specialist areas of D&T (Materials Technology and Systems and Control) across the 11-16 age range. Enhancement opportunities are also provided if you wish to experience post-16 teaching.
The programme aims to prepare you to be a successful teacher of D&T, combining your intellectual ability and advanced designing and making skills with managing groups of pupils working safely in a range of practical situations.
The subject
D&T is a relatively new and continually changing subject, which remains one of the most popular subjects on the curriculum. Success in the subject is demonstrated through the creative and intellectual capability to both design and make quality products. A key feature of the PGCE is developing pupils' ability to 'learn through doing.'
Recent national curriculum developments have allowed us to expand our curriculum areas of study. Trainee teachers will therefore be able to specialise in two of three D&T subject areas from Materials, Textiles and Electronics Systems and Control. In schools, pupils work in a wide range of subject areas, including resistant materials (wood, metals and plastics), compliant materials (graphics products), textiles technology, food, electronics, systems and control. Teaching placements allow trainee teachers on the course to develop their subject knowledge in many of these areas at Key Stage 3. Students will get the opportunity to teach Key Stage 4 (GCSE) groups in Materials, Textiles or Electronics/Systems and Control.
The content
Very few PGCE students have backgrounds that are strong in two of the three materials areas. Early audits will therefore identify your knowledge and skills needs. Opportunities to fulfill these will be provided during both your University and school/college based experiences. In addition, you will also follow a safety course that leads to certification under a nationally recognised scheme supported by DATA (The Design and Technology Association).
A key feature of the D&T PGCE is the opportunity to spend time in our partner school as part of your ongoing academic and professional development. Our University Teaching Department (UTD) is staffed by experienced teachers who will help play an active part in your early development from the very first weeks of the course.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) features strongly with an emphasis on how it can be used to enhance teaching and learning, as well as for your own personal competence in using it to support your administration and planning. You will demonstrate your expertise by developing interactive resources to support learning both in and outside the classroom.
"Outstanding feature of the training is the inclusion of issues that are current and important within the D&T curriculum."(OfSTED report, Design and Technology)
Support and resources
The programme is based in a dedicated teaching room and our partner schools allow students full access to a wide range of workshop machinery and tools while on school placements. A library of typical school texts and other printed materials is maintained in the studio and items from these can be borrowed to support school based and academic activities. There is also a wide range of texts available in the University Libraries.
In University you will be taught by tutors who have national and international reputations for research, teaching and publications in Education. They are responsible for the design and delivery of course content, supervising the academic work of trainee teachers in the University and for working closely with the school/college mentors.
“All students were able to articulate how the course met their needs for becoming good educators and how the intensive year has engaged them in becoming passionate about learning. They spoke extremely highly of their subject tutor” (External Examiner report)
Employment
This programme consists of a variety of learning experiences designed for those wishing to teach Design and Technology in secondary schools. It prepares graduates to teach the National Curriculum and related national strategies, and GCSE. It leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and carries 60 Masters credits which are transferrable for further study. The programme prepares participants to teach D&T in a range of secondary schools (including 11-16 and 11-18 both maintained and independent) and sixth form colleges.
Employment rates are consistently very high with the vast majority of trainee teachers having secured teaching posts by the end of the course. To aid you in this you'll receive support and guidance in making applications for appropriate posts.
Course Leader: David Leask
david.leask@manchester.ac.uk