Professional Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Year one

You'll study these modules:

• Learning and its Assessment - you'll explore different learning theories including behaviourism, cognitivism, social and sustainable learning and humanism. And you'll identify a range of assessment techniques that will allow you to adapt your teaching practice so that learners are not being disadvantaged.
• Management of Learning Resources - this practical module will help you to focus on the planning process, paying particular attention to lesson planning, schemes of work and resources.
• Teaching in Other Contexts - during this module you'll focus on managing learning sessions and activities within a given area of the learning skills sector. You'll explore the use of a variety of strategies that are relevant to specific objectives, student characteristics and situations to encourage a positive attitude to learning.
• The Specialist Teacher and Professional Development - you'll focus on your specific subject specialism, identifying and evaluating its historical development and considering future provision. You'll also consider how ICT can be used in teaching and to support your professional role.

Year two

You'll study these modules:

• Developing Professional Practice within the Curriculum for Education and Training - over recent years the curriculum for post compulsory education and training colleges has changed rapidly in response to external and internal initiatives. You'll need to have an understanding of current forces of change and how best to use them to develop an effective curriculum to meet the needs of your existing and new students.
• Management of Classroom Behaviour - you'll identify the underlying reasons for behavioural issues within a classroom and identify strategies to improve classroom management.
• The Broad Spectrum of the Lifelong Learning Sector - managers in the lifelong learning sector are no longer co-ordinators. They now have a business function and look after all aspects of quality assurance, human resources, finance and marketing. During this module you will explore the day to day issues and develop your understanding of the decision making processes within lifelong learning establishments and your role within them.
• Student Support and Effective Classroom Communications - you'll explore effective communication and the student support opportunities that are available to make sure that no student is disadvantaged when learning.

You'll also have the option to study this module:

Independent Project - you'll research an aspect of teaching and learning in the lifelong learning sector that relates to your subject area or that has emerged from earlier study. You'll complete a research proposal and then plan and undertake the research activity with support from your tutor.

Start dates

If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in:

• September 2012