Em Holliday

Having completed the Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching (Graduate Entry) at The University of Canberra I thought I'd give a run down on the in's and out's of this degree for future participants - an insiders guide to it all.

I loved this degree but it was two years of hard yakka. First thing to know is that you need to be prepared to put in a LOT of work and to really succeed you need to put in even more work outside the standard course requirements. If you're still reading then I haven't scared you too much and you're probably unshakeable enough to do this degree and be a teacher.

This degree is brillant in that you get the full qualifications in half the time but also means they are squashing 4 years work into 2 and naturally there are gaps which I'm going to help you leap over.

The lecturers of this degree are outstanding and great people to talk to and learn from. Also being a graduate means you don't have to worry about being overly keen or enthusastic - because everyone else is too. Think about this: all the students have previous degrees and 99.5% have been out in the work force or caring for family or both for any number of years. All these people then decide to take the risk of dropping everything, going back to uni full time for two years to change their lives. These are people with debt, children, spouse, pets - people with full lives who are risking alot (because it's almost impossible to work and do this degree - there's obviously a financial risk) to make a change. They care a lot about the work, want to get it right and graduate ASAP. Not to mention they are passionate interesting people who all lead different lives and I gained so much by learning about  and from my peers. Make friends with your peers - they will support you through the tough and confusing times and add a wealth of light and colour to your life and degree.

The classes you will take.

We quickly learnt that this truncated degree leaves out some valuable practical training so make sure in first semester you attend Reconstructing Mathematical Understanding (RMU). It's the first year maths subject which graduates don't do and you'll be lost if you don't get some of this knowledge. We walked into Mathmatical Education 1 (ME1) (2nd semsester) and the tutor was completely unaware that we hadn't done RMU, the prerequiste. So when we told her we didn't understand the terms she was using from RMU her reply was "That's your problem". Which, when a tutor has 90 students per week and 2 don't know what she's talking about I guess is a fair attitude but we felt rejected and lost at sea. We very promptly spoke to the RMU lecturer and got added to the WEBCT (see below) list and sat in on lectures - we didn't officially do the course but we did the course work and got the notes. (PS: we only survived ME1 by supporting each other, using mathematical dictionaries and more than one stand up fight with the tutor! I hope no-one else has the same troubles we did!) The moral: GET THE COURSEWORK FROM RMU AND LEARN IT IN YOUR OWN TIME!!!!

Health and Movement Education 1 is a great practical class where you do the activities you'll do with the kids and even get to go out and teach sport to some children. Embrace this class, keep the manual as it is a PE bible, and don't forget what you learn because you won't be seeing much sport again until your final semester on Internship.

Science and Technology is another great practical class - more informative on technology than science I found. You'll come out with some great technology ideas but if you're interested in science be sure to go to the science lectures and pay attention - I certainly don't feel capable of teaching science concepts having done this course - but I can make a mean kite!

Many people struggled to see the point of Education Foundations but trust me - the things you learn here and in Socio-cultural Politics will inform much of your teaching style and attitute. Education Foundations really started to make sense for me aboue halfway through 2nd year - but I can now see how valuable it was.

Responding to Individual Needs in Education is a class where you develop lots of tools for your 'virtual toolbag' and I've referred to activities in that and Promoting Positive Learning Environments again and again. They can both seem a bit of a drag at times but just write everything down and come back to it when you are on prac - you'll find the most amazing resources that you didn't even know you had.

Language Education is good. Misty (the Lecturer) knows full well that as graduates we are under huge pressure to be ready for the classroom in less than 2 years work. (Trust me, 2 years is a short time to become a teacher!). She hands you everything on a silver platter - grab her help and use it - you may never use her models in the classroom but they are a starting point if and when you have nothing else.

One thing Language Education doesn't do is teach you a lot about grammar or spelling. If you're anything like me and don't know the techniques of grammar make sure you do the Intensive Grammar and Writing Course during your first summer break. This was one of themost useful course I did at the uni - it cost me $25 and it would have been a bargin at $100. You get a folder with all the basic grammar stuff, excellent teaching and also half the course is dedicated to essay writing - how to write them well. I can't tell you how useful this class was - even though it was during the holidays - I personally think it should be compulsary.

Mathmatics Education is theory heavy. You will come out with lots of knowledge and the text book "Error Patterns in Computations" is fabulous - I worked it through cover to cover. The WEBCT activities also help you solidify your own understandings and opinions - trust everyone has a different opinions and half the fun is discussing and learning those of your peers.

WEBCT

This is the online portal where much of the communication for the degree takes place. It is vital to have good access to the internet and to use WEBCT all the time. When you get your OSIS login remember to forward your student email to the account you always use and never leave your email unchecked for too long. You can get training at the uni for help with WEBCT.

Prac's and Internship

Prac's are awesome - so much fun but hard work. Except to be exhausted and stressed and out of your depths. Uni really doesn't and can't prepare you for your role as a teacher in the classroom - it's such a different but wonderful environment. Remember it's okay to feel out of your depth and as if you're drowning - that's normal! Make sure you connect with your family, friends, dog - who or whatever you have in your life that keeps you grounded and makes you happy. The lecturers at uni are great and they know all too well how you are going - talk to them, take their advice, support and friendship because they've all been there too.

Internship is the highlight of the degree - the first time you're in a school long enough to really connect and become part of the family.

And don't feel bad if you go to your first prac and you decide teaching isn't all you thought it would be - it's not right for many many people and the reason they put you into the schools so early is so you have the chance to find this out and get out before you've wasted too much time. That's not to say that a bad prac means you're not cut out to be a teacher - it could have simply been a bad prac - be sure to talk to friends and lecturers before you make any big decisions.

Trying to get a job

Of course the point of the degree is to get a job and here is what I've learnt (and no I'm not claiming expertise - just tinsy bit of experience).

From your very first prac TAKE PHOTOS of the work you are doing with kids in the classroom. Writing a journal is also a great idea (I keep a blog) - photocopy examples of children's work both good and bad which you could show someone and explain and idea or connection. Keep them and all your prac reports in a safe place because in about April of 2nd year you need to interview for jobs and you must have evidence that shows how you teach and a DIVERSITY of experiences. Thay will all go together in your portfolio - which BTW doesn't have to be beautiful, just extremely well organised.

And Diversity of experience is the key - I'm a perfect example - I had tops grades, amazing prac reports and referees, years of experience with coaching children in sport plus tutoring, a great attitude but in my interview I spoke almost exclusively about this one child with whom I'd had a multitude of experiences and forgot to expand beyond him. I ended up with a hugely disappointing ranking and trust me - if I'd waited for a job from the department I'd still be unemployed at Easter I'm sure. As it is, I took things into my own hands and got myself a job at a private school.

That's another thing - don't put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to jobs - you may be told there are lots of jobs out there but at this point - ten days before school goes back - only those with the top ranking and early offers have been offered jobs - be prepared to be a relief teacher if you don't get the top ranking - at least for a while. Get the paper every Saturday for the second year of your degree and start applying for jobs.

Final Words

I adored this degree and I'm an enthusiastic young teacher ready to step out into the world, which has a lot to do with the wonderful environment UC education set-ups for its students and the great tutors and lecturers you'll meet along the way. Don't be scared by any of the not-so-pretty things I've highlighted here - it's better to go in knowing than being unplesantly surprised later on. I truly hope if you've read this far you go on to find out that teaching is an amazing experience and I hope do be able to do it for many years to come. And come back and tell me how you're going - remember that the greatest resources a teacher can have is her/his peers.