University Interview - Teaching

Ripper

Ripper

Ripper

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I have an interview coming up for a place at a University for a PGCE in Secondary ICT teaching. Has anyone here ever done a PGCE (or something similar) and has any idea what sort of questions they may ask? Do you think the focus of their questions will be based on the course or the teaching career?

I wanna make sure i'm prepared properly as I'm desperate to secure a place at this University!
 
Why do you want to be a Teacher?
What do you like about ICT?
Why is ICT important and why should it be taught in school?
Maybe some general knowledge about Education issues, i.e Who is Ed Balls?

Plus some basic ICT knowledge questions I would imagine.
 
Some insight into reflective learning (for your own development, rather than the kids) would be a help.
 
I'm an ICT teacher, currently in my NQT year.

My entry into teaching would be slightly different to the typical I imagine. I took a temp ICT technician job at a local secondary waiting for the grad. recruitment schemes to start.

Got on well there, kept the contract rolling and even started some after school classes building PCs, teaching parents and staff and some old people from a local old folks home for our technology college status.

In June 06 the school finalized plans to teach ICT to all students (Y7-11) as a compulsory subject and so needed an additional ICT teacher. I was asked to apply by the Head of ICT, so I did, with the idea of using me half teaching, half technician (as an unqualified teacher). It was getting closer to end of term, so I went and asked the Deputy Head what was happening. I basically told him I didn't fancy doing 50/50, so could I train to be a 'proper' teacher.

We discussed it, and although I have a (good) history degree, he got me onto a GTP course at Nottingham Trent Uni! This was based upon my experience in ICT as a technician, with selling PCs whilst at uni and my experience of teaching during my time as a technician. I actually have a D in Short Course ICT at GCSE!

My interview didn't particularly centre on ICT, although I was pretty much already on the course based on the deputy's recommendation. It centred more so on my teaching 'ethics', my particular education ethos. A lot of centred on how my degree and work experience could transfer to education.

I breezed through the GTP year, and found it a really good way of gaining QTS as I was always in school getting on the job training and experience. I started on 10 periods a week, which was scary (and not supposed to happen...) but it soon became an advantage.

I'm still at this school as an NQT, feeling much more comfortable than my NQT colleagues having had a lot more teaching practice, and also knowing the kids. I can answer any more specific questions, mate, just ask.
 
Much appreciated guys. Managed to use good old google as well for assistance.

Syph, I assume my interview will be the same and not particularly focus on ICT that much as there's a seperate written exam on ICT which will probably test my knowledge.

What sort of responses did you give as an answer to how work experience and degree transfers to being a teacher?
 
A lot of it focused on planning and time management, catering for varied learning styles (have a look at VAK on t'internet) and interpersonal skills and presenting, relating these back to work experience and my degree. I'm a pretty good blagger though, which makes stuff like that quite easy for me, I've found! (Not helpful, I know! :D) It also helped that I'd had a good 6 months of evening teaching under my belt, even though I'd only really directed kids to help the adults, rather than teaching kids directly.

I was asked how I felt ICT slotted into the curriculum, which of course is all about it being a core subject in its own right, and featuring right across the curriculum.
 
Cheers mate. I'm preparing a document listing loads of possible questions and answers i'd give. At some point would it be cool to send you it when its done? If you could just skim over it and see if its alright i'd appreciate it. Won't be till the middle of next week though I assume, busy weekend ahead!
 
No problems. You've already got my email, right?

I could even get my boss to take a look if you like, as long as I get it by Friday to show him.
 
Yeh I've got it. Don't want to put you out but whatever you can do to help :) The interview is Friday so it'll be before then.
 
Yeah, it's not a problem dude. Next week's teaching consists of dossing & Christmas stuff anyway so I'll have lots of time :p
 
Currently doing my PGCE in ICT funnily enough.

My interview went along the lines of why do you want to teach? How do you know you want to teach? If I were a secondary school interviewing you for a teaching post, what skills could you bring to the school?

...Then the final part of the interview was asking me how I would get across to a class the idea of a firewall/network security.

PGCE is good, although being out teaching is far better than being in University.
 
TomWilko said:
Currently doing my PGCE in ICT funnily enough.

My interview went along the lines of why do you want to teach? How do you know you want to teach? If I were a secondary school interviewing you for a teaching post, what skills could you bring to the school?

...Then the final part of the interview was asking me how I would get across to a class the idea of a firewall/network security.

PGCE is good, although being out teaching is far better than being in University.
Click to expand...

Nice, how is the PGCE going? Whats the workload like compared to a degree? Yeh I can imagine actually teaching is far better, but this is the route that will probably get me a proper teaching job faster I guess.

The firewall question.... I'd probably tell the kids to imagine a gate, on one side is their computer, and the other is the internet, and anything they're using on the computer which needs to access the internet needs to pass through the gate. You can open/close the gate when required. Sound about right? Obviously that won't come up though I doubt.

Cheers Syph! :)
 
I don't think PGCE will get you into teaching any faster. I believe all the teacher training courses are designed to be 1 year long. However, the GTP can fast-track people as long as the portfolio was finished, you'd had your statutory 3 university assessments, had passed any essays and had sufficient timetable increases and school assessments.

It's not unknown for people to be fast tracked a term early; I'd got a good deal of the training done before Easter.

(EDIT: Of course I'm not sure about whether this is possible on other course... or if you can still do this on the GTP... or whether it depends on your DRB and school! :p)
 
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Ripper said:
Nice, how is the PGCE going? Whats the workload like compared to a degree? Yeh I can imagine actually teaching is far better, but this is the route that will probably get me a proper teaching job faster I guess.
Click to expand...

It's going well I think, thanks. I havn't looked back since September and can't believe it is nearly Christmas. It will tire you out and you will have drops in confidence, but I do think it's all going to be worth it.

Workload compared with a degree? Depends on the degree I guess. Workload in my final year of degree is still above what I have done teaching wise, only because it was largely group focussed and I took on more than I should have done in the way of this. The PGCE is just constant pressure though, daily deadlines rather than ones set to the future.

You can now do 2 strands on a PGCE, the normal Level 3 based route (no higher than honours degree) and the Masters based route, which, upon completion of the extra assessments in the year you get 40 credits towards a Masters qualification. I am a little annoyed they didn't go for a Dissertation as well and allow you to get more credits this year but oh well...have to spend the summer working for an exam board instead.
 
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