This Postgraduate Diploma in Education is a two-year part-time taught programme in fulfillment of the basic teacher education qualification. The overall aim of the Programme is to provide professional training for local primary and secondary school teachers who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in an academic discipline to enable them to adequately assume their roles within the teaching profession.

AIMS

1. To develop in students personal qualities which support their daily work and professional development;
2. To develop in students a functional knowledge of disciplines which informs educational practice;
3. To develop in students expertise in teaching specialising subjects in local schools; and
4. To develop in students knowledge essential for effective functioning within the profession and the wider school context.

PROGRAMME INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (PILOs)

Upon the completion of the programme, graduates are able to:

1. develop functional knowledge of psychology, sociology ad 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.
6. demonstrate a reflective and sensitive mind in educational practices and social issues to uphold professional integrity and advancement of the profession.

STRUCTURE

Upon admitted, students are required to complete a total number of 26 units consisting of six required courses (20 units) and one elective course (2 units). Students must also satisfactorily complete the Supervised Teaching Practice Assessment (4 units).

The structure of the programme is as follows:

PROGRAMME DELIVERY

The Programme adopts a student-centred approach, using a variety of teaching strategies to support classroom learning and teaching practice. On-site supervision and peer observation are integral to the Supervised Teaching Practice.

Normally students should complete the Programme in two calendar years.

Classes are scheduled on weekday evenings and Saturdays.

Both Chinese and English languages are used in the Programme. The choice of medium of instruction depends on the nature of individual courses.

FIELD PRACTICE

Requirements of Field Practice

To fulfill the requirements for satisfactory completion of Field Practice, students are required to:

1. accumulate a duration of 12 weeks on-site Supervised Teaching Practice in a school setting if they do not have a full-time teaching position during the period of study;
2. teach at least 48 lessons on his/her specializing subject (or equivalent to 32 teaching hours);
3. complete at least 2 Supervised Teaching Practice Assessments (STPA);
4. attend two Reflective Seminars; and
5. submit a Reflective Teaching Portfolio.

Arrangement of Field Practice

To arrange the Field Practice smoothly, students are reminded that:

1. it is an expectation that students arrange Field Practice by themselves;
2. it is the students’ responsibility to notify the Department as soon as they have obtained a teaching/teaching-related post and they should then supply the relevant documents (e.g. the employment contract, testimonial of employment, etc.) to the Department for verification and record purposes; and
3. it is suggested that students should report any difficulties in arranging Field Practice to the Department.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS & ACADEMIC AWARDS

To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education, students must:

1. complete a total of 26 units within the specified duration of the programme;
2. obtain Grade C- or above in all courses;
3. obtain a ‘Satisfactory’ in Supervised Teaching Practice Assessment; and
4. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.

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.