No applications will be invited to Diploma in Education (2 + 3) Programme in AY 22-23.

Diploma in Education is a taught programme leading to a professional qualification for teaching in local schools. Designed for Baptist University undergraduates aspiring to a teaching career, this Programme aims to develop students’ knowledge, abilities, personal qualities and philosophies thus enabling them to adequately assume effective roles within the teaching profession. Students enrolling in this Programme will receive teacher training in the final three years of their studies while they are studying for their first degree. The advantage of this Programme is that teacher training is provided alongside the students’ undergraduate majors; this integration of two domains of knowledge – subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge and skills – is deemed to better serve the objective of preparing to enter the teaching profession.

Aims

The programme aims at developing 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.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Upon the 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.
6. demonstrate a reflective and sensitive mind in educational practices and social issues to uphold professional integrity and advancement of the profession.

Structure

The Programme consists of 32 units to be taken within the last three years of students’ five-year studies. Students have to take eight core courses (18 units), one elective course (2 units) and the Integrated Practicum (12 units), that includes Subject Instruction I & II, School Experience and Supervised Teaching Practice. The following study schedule shows the distribution of education (ED) and undergraduate major (UM) courses in the last three years of a student enrolled in the Programme.

* Students would need to consult with their undergraduate major department to arrange the study schedule of their Honours Project.

Specialising subjects offered:

Chinese, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education. Final provision will depend on demand, and will be subject to the discretion of the Department.

Structure of the programme is as follows:

Area A: Social and Autonomous Individual

Area B: Facilitator of Learning

Area C: Educational Innovator

Area D: Professional Educator

# Options offered are Economics, Geography, History, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics and Putonghua. The provision may vary from year to year depending on demand.

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 included in different aspects of the Integrated Practicum.

Students may be required to attend late afternoon classes and Saturday morning classes.

Normally students would complete the Programme in three calendar years.

Field Practice

Field Practice is an essential element of the Diploma in Education programme for pre-service teachers at Hong Kong Baptist University. It consists of two components: School Experience and Supervised Teaching Practice.

The purpose of School Experience is to introduce students to teaching in a school context and for them to experience the role of a teacher in schools. During this period, students are expected to pursue knowledge about schools and schooling from both theoretical and practical standpoints via observation, reflection, participation in school activities and classroom teaching.

Supervised Teaching Practice aims to provide an opportunity for student-teachers to integrate theories of education and teaching methodology in practice. To encourage constructive collegial exchange of pedagogic ideas, the host school will appoint a School Mentor to advise the student-teacher during Field Practice.

Students will be visited normally two times by supervisors from the Department of Education Studies. All visits will take place during the Supervised Teaching Practice Periods and will constitute the Supervised Teaching Practice Assessment. Students’ performance during these periods will be formally assessed.

Graduation 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, or S where applicable, in all courses;
3. obtain Grade S in School Experience and Supervised Teaching Practice;
4. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above; and
5. satisfy the graduation requirements of the undergraduate major degree programme.

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.