Education, whether in the primary, secondary, post 16 or online, is rapidly changing. The need to maintain and push standards higher underpins everything an educator does, from how they plan their lessons, to the course materials they create to the assessment methods they use.
It is a challenging, yet rewarding career. Getting into teaching is something that many people often wonder about and if you are one of them, then this guide is for you.
Teaching opportunities
There are many more teaching opportunities today than there ever was; no longer is a teacher someone who is ‘confined’ to a classroom. And it is not just children who are pupils of an education system. More and more adults realise the benefits of lifelong learning, and thus, teaching opportunities can come from all different directions.
For example, online courses and home study are an increasingly popular way for people to study. Students choose their course, they take responsibility for their own learning, setting their own pace as well as deciding when and how they study.
Even though they work through the course material on their own, online and home study courses are only as good as the course material itself and the tutor support on offer to the student.
Get into teaching opportunities available may mean that you are suited to act as an online tutor. This is why we offer a Distance Learning Tutoring Diploma.
You can also learn new skills at a time that suits you.
Value and credit
However, you may be wondering how much credit and value are actually applied to teaching courses that you study via the Internet.
It is true that many schools and educational establishments still hold sway that a degree, followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) that relate specifically to their sector (lower primary, upper primary, secondary and post 16) is the only qualification route with any value.
The PGCE is completed mainly ‘in the field’. Thus, as a student teacher, you will be supervised in the classroom to deliver a set of lessons and so on. From these school placements – usually, a short one lasting a few weeks, followed by a longer summer term placement and interspersed with weeks at college – you will be assessed and given a pass or fail.
In some ways, the courses that offer a route into teaching that are online offer a similar experience. The preparing to teach courses such as QCF Level 3 Education and Training Award includes a micro-teaching session.
This means that you are applying theories and principles into practice.
Other home study education-related courses
When it comes to teaching, every life experience is important and can be useful both in and out of the classroom.
Some people opt to become a teacher after spending some time in an educational setting as a TA or a support worker of another kind. There are diplomas and courses available that strengthen these skills and these too, can be used to underpin both your suitability as a teacher as well as going on to study more specialist educational courses.
But why study from home?
Online teaching courses provide an exceptional opportunity to gain the teaching skills you need to become a successful tutor. Generally, online courses are proving popular and more trusted in the results they give.
Teaching courses will examine the boundaries of the professional educator, the various teaching and learning approaches, lesson planning skills, assessment methods and the need for accurate record-keeping.
Learning can be challenging, more so if you are worried about how you are going to pay your student loan back or how you will pay the bills now that you are no longer working. It is possible, with hard work and dedication to learn from home and gain qualifications that have value.
Learning is something we all do differently and at a different pace. Learning from home or via online methods means you can study at a pace that suits you; there may be some modules that you work through quicker than others, or some that you would prefer to take at a slower pace.
You can also learn new skills at a time that suits you. It may be possible to read some course texts on your commute home from work, or you may scribble notes during your lunch break.
Applying for online teaching courses
To get into teaching, you will need to be sure that you have a solid background in a subject that is taught in your chosen education sector.
If you require help or advice, call us on 0333 220 1538. If you know which course is right for you, add it to your basket, choose how to pay and click enrol. Within days, your course materials will arrive and you can get into teaching!
Nick Cooper
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