Course summary

Young people are growing up in a world where digital literacy is vital in all aspects of their lives. Starting to learn these skills at school is essential to set them up for success, whatever they decide to do in the future. With a new focus on the subject in schools and a resurgent interest in computer technology like the Raspberry Pi and Codebug, there’s no better time to train as a teacher of computing. You’ll learn to teach all aspects of computing, from computer science and digital literacy to information technology. And you’ll get to use the latest specialist software and tools. You’ll explore a range of questions to help you become the best teacher you can be. How do you create a lesson plan to inspire and motivate your pupils? What are the current challenges in secondary education? How do you pass on your computer science expertise – and continue to grow that knowledge throughout your career? Learn to lead in the classroom You’ll develop your reflective and analytical skills, as well as boosting your own subject knowledge. To prepare for teaching computer science and IT at key stage 3 and 4, you’ll also get lots of hands-on experience in the classroom. During your placement, you’ll work alongside your computing tutor and school-based mentor. They’ll help you apply your university learning to your own teaching and be there for you whenever you need support. Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). developing the technical creativity and computing skills of secondary school pupils, this PGCE in Computer Science and Information Technology is for you. What you'll study At the start of your course you will complete an audit of your subject knowledge. This way you can identify your areas of strength and those you need to develop. You’ll study the computing curriculum, including software used in schools, educational theory, as well as innovative teaching and assessment methods. Discover how to plan a lesson effectively and how to incorporate lively, interactive techniques to help your students develop confidence and self-esteem. You’ll also build on your subject knowledge in a range of areas, including programming, computational thinking, applications and database design. We’ll also cover multimedia, spreadsheet modelling, web authoring, desktop publishing and aspects of computer control. To prepare for your future as a teacher, you’ll also learn about professional roles and responsibilities, as well as polishing your academic skills. Intensive Training and Practice You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership. Over the course of your training, you will have the opportunity to participate in several days of Intensive Practice focusing on aspects of pivotal practice such as; behaviour management, scaffolding, professional behaviours and questioning. During periods of ITAP, your timetable may differ and you may be required to attend campus and/or a placement on days outside of the usual pattern. Lead Mentors The Edge Hill lead mentors and mentor leadership team play an important part in your teacher training as experts in their field. They have a deep knowledge of the trainee curriculum and support trainees and mentors to make progress providing guidance and support on aspects of the curriculum and assessment.