Course overview
Learning and Teaching in International Contexts (Online) PGCEi
Principal Lecturer Jo Irving-Walton explains why you should study the PGCEi at Teesside University
The course is relevant to all subjects and focuses on the improvement of individual practice through critical reflection and developing an understanding of research-informed practice.
It enables you to compare teaching approaches in different countries and develop a global approach to education.
Delivered through our online learning platform, you will learn in a rich and rewarding online environment, engaging in professional discussions and communities of practice with practitioners in a variety of international contexts.
You will:
- develop the capability to motivate and inspire learners to succeed and progress through the implementation of a range of innovative, creative and adaptive teaching strategies
- discover inclusive and varied learning, teaching and assessment strategies to gain depth and breadth of knowledge and confidence in delivery
- promote critical reflection and the ability to link theory to practice to become confident, critical, creative, adaptable, articulate and inspiring educators
- develop your understanding of international educational contexts and approaches
- learn about research informed practice and demonstrate the capacity to actively engage in educational research within the practice context to support the enhancement of learning, teaching and assessment.
Note: This is not a qualifying teacher training course and therefore can not be funded by Student Finance; but can be funded by postgraduate loans. See our Postgraduate Funding page for details.
Study this course and you may be eligible for a £2,500 Sir Keith Skeoch postgraduate scholarship.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
International Perspectives on Education
You reflect on the ways in which cultural, social and political factors impact perspectives on educational practice across a range of international contexts. You will consider UK-based and international contexts for education, and explore approaches to the philosophy of education and the purposes of education in different settings. You will be encouraged to develop a breadth and depth of knowledge in relation to educational curricula and contexts, and to take a comparative focus.
Learning and Teaching in International Contexts
You will enhance and extend your engagement with global approaches to learning, teaching and assessment in a variety of complex and challenging ways. You will be encouraged to consistently underpin learning and teaching with evidence-informed strategies and to develop the skills required to rigorously and consistently evaluate your own practice. Throughout you will be encouraged to explore and apply a variety of creative and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.
Researching Education in International Contexts
You gain an understanding of practitioner-led approaches to educational research, and how educational research can be used to inform practice. You will have the opportunity to become an effective practitioner with a thorough understanding of relevant research theories. Tasks completed throughout this module are designed to enhance your judgements and abilities to make links between educational practice and educational research.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
This course is delivered online by a team with a wide and varied experience of education in a range of international contexts. Learning and teaching are central to all aspects of this course. As an educational professional completing a higher education qualification, you are expected to use the knowledge and skills you acquire to inform practice in your own context. All aspects of this course are therefore designed to support you to develop academically whilst also supporting the development of practical, professional expertise within international educational contexts.
The learning and teaching strategy ensure that you:
- are introduced to a wide variety of innovative, inspiring and creative approaches to learning, teaching and assessment
- have opportunities to actively engage with educational research and evidence informed practice approaches
- are given frequent opportunities to engage in the collaborative evaluation of different approaches to practice via online discussion forums
- are encouraged to make the most of the opportunity to engage in professional discussions with practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds
- are introduced to and apply a wide-range of flexible approaches to reflection and reflective practice, and experience an online learning environment that is adaptive and responsive to their varied academic and professional needs.
How you are assessed
Forms of assessment include a practice based research project, a comparative essay and an Individual Learning Portfolio (ILP).
The ILP includes:
- a reflective journal
- informal teaching observations by the mentor and/ or peers
- self-assessment observations linked to recorded excerpts of the students’ teaching
- critiques of specific aspects of practice
- target setting for professional enhancement
- observations of other teachers/ in alternate contexts
- evidence of learning, teaching and assessment
- a defined professional development project.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are normally one of the following (including GCSE, or standard equivalent, in English and maths grade 4 (C) or above):
- First degree (minimum of a 2:2) In exceptional cases prospective students who do not meet this criterion but are able to demonstrate suitable significant experience and/or further study may be considered for the course.
- A signed practice agreement form that confirms you are employed as a teacher within a school/ college in an international context. Alternatively, you must demonstrate that you have at least 50 hours of teaching practice agreed and are fully supported by a school/ college in an international context (with all local suitability checks in place). In all cases the practice agreement must show that the school/ college agrees to provide a mentor.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
The course is aimed at current and aspiring educational professionals who have an interest in developing and enhancing their understanding of worldwide approaches to education. You will graduate with the knowledge and professional skills required to support your career development and pursue teaching roles in a range of international schools and educational settings.
Work placement
It is expected that you will either be employed in a teaching or teaching-related role with in an educational setting or will be able to undertake a suitable voluntary teaching practice placement (50 hours).
Learning platform
Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is the platform you use to access your online course
Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment.
Here are some of the benefits.
- You can use it on your smartphone, tablet and computer.
- And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
- It's easy to use and navigate.
- Modules are set out by topics and themes. You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
- We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
- You get feedback, help and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
- Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
- You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students and take part in online discussion forums.
