Primary Is the one year teaching dip ed a valid option?

[ChrisFooty]

I have a degree in something not practical and working full time in an unrelated field. Is doing a one year primary teaching dip ed viewed in the same light by employers? I have been told by a few people that the one year teaching dip ed is not a great course.

The way I see it's not a bad thing. I will be pushing 30 with better life experience than someone who has done the four year teaching degree straight out of uni.

I have heard in some states there is a glut of primary teaching grads and getting perm work is difficult? Anyone recently done primary teaching at uni and graduated? Cheers

 

[pacemaker]

WA is basically all full unless you want to go into a community you have never heard off up in North West Australia. I don't know what the grad dip would be like as I did the four year course but I would say it would be difficult to learn everything in one full year.

But I say go for it as it adds another profession to your CV. You will just have to be willing to do additional research and ask alot of questions when you are out teaching about a variety of learning and teaching strategies as well as assessment strategies.

But as I said you should cover must of this in the one year grad dip but I assume it will be compacted to the max.

All the best.

Pacey.

 

[raskolnikov]

I did the one year primary Dip.Ed. However I taught ESL overseas for ten years before I came back to Australia and did it. So, I already had a lot of teaching experience. I think the one year is course is a very valid option and I don't think I've ever suffered from only having a one year course when applying for jobs. As one of our lecturers used to say a teaching qualification, whether one year or four, is only a leaner's license to say you are able to start learning how to teach. You only really start to learn to teach when you have a class of your own. Supervised teaching is only a glimpse of what it's like.

Teachers also have to complete a certain amount of professional development every year so you don't stop learning once you get into the classroom. Character and personality are much more important as a teacher and is what potential employers look for, rather than what piece of paper you have.

Employment as a primary school teacher can be quite difficult to obtain in some areas of Australia, namely the capital citites, but if you are willing to go to a more remote location you'll have no problems. The Northern Territory is desperate for teachers. If you spend a couple of years in a more remote place you'll find it easier to then get a job in a capital city.

 

[Didaics]

I did a 1 year course in 2005 and got a job straight out. Having said that, I know alot of the people I did the course with have gone on to other careers and say they wish they hadn't done it.

My dad used to be a school principal and his philosophy on the courses was that he didn't really care about which course you did, but how you went in your student teacher placements. He said most principals wont even look at any of your academic transcript except for your professional exprience reports. If you go with it, put a lot of effort into your placements, principals talk, and you'd be surprised how often positions come up, especially at late notice.

It's a very rewarding profession, I only really feel like Im starting to get a real grip on doing it well 6 years in though!!

 

[gimp!]

I did the one year primary Dip.Ed. However I taught ESL overseas for ten years before I came back to Australia and did it. So, I already had a lot of teaching experience. I think the one year is course is a very valid option and I don't think I've ever suffered from only having a one year course when applying for jobs. As one of our lecturers used to say a teaching qualification, whether one year or four, is only a leaner's license to say you are able to start learning how to teach. You only really start to learn to teach when you have a class of your own. Supervised teaching is only a glimpse of what it's like.

Teachers also have to complete a certain amount of professional development every year so you don't stop learning once you get into the classroom. Character and personality are much more important as a teacher and is what potential employers look for, rather than what piece of paper you have.

Employment as a primary school teacher can be quite difficult to obtain in some areas of Australia, namely the capital citites, but if you are willing to go to a more remote location you'll have no problems. The Northern Territory is desperate for teachers. If you spend a couple of years in a more remote place you'll find it easier to then get a job in a capital city.

Do you find that there is favouritism towards hiring male teachers?

 

[slashin_velvet]

My understanding was that the 4 year course is best for those who want to be a teacher across a broad range of areas (primary and high school), whereas the one year was for those who wish to take their current degree/s (commerce, law, arts, science) and teach those at a high school in a specialized manner.

 

[raskolnikov]

Do you find that there is favouritism towards hiring male teachers?

Not that I've experienced. In fact the opposite is probably true. The education department might say that they need male primary school teachers but in reality most schools would probably tend to employ a female teacher.

 

[sainter]

Would you guys recommend the two year masters courses ahead of a dip ed?

Also, are there any catholic school teachers amongst you? I'm considering a course at ACU.

Any other general advice is welcome. Those of us interested in applying have only got to the end of the month.

 

[Rocco Jones]

Would you guys recommend the two year masters courses ahead of a dip ed?

Also, are there any catholic school teachers amongst you? I'm considering a course at ACU.

Any other general advice is welcome. Those of us interested in applying have only got to the end of the month.

I did the Dip Ed and I had no problems getting work. Once you're out there I don't think it really matters what you did at Uni.

Anyways, you have my number, feel free to call/text if you want some advice.

 

[sainter]

Thanks, I'll give you a call next week when I'm doing the VTAC forms.

It will be a novelty speaking to a Heart supporter, haven't come across many of you!

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

I'm applying for the dip ed course, they say 1,500 apply and 200 get a place (in La Trobe).

I'm averaging grades of 65 throughout my whole degree, some 70+, some 50+, mostly 60's. Have not failed one subject out of 17 (so far) and hopefully would have failed none from 20.

I've applied for La Trobe, RMIT & Vic Uni's Dip Ed courses, will I have trouble getting in? Please someone help! lol!

 

[Rocco Jones]

I'm applying for the dip ed course, they say 1,500 apply and 200 get a place (in La Trobe).

I'm averaging grades of 65 throughout my whole degree, some 70+, some 50+, mostly 60's. Have not failed one subject out of 17 (so far) and hopefully would have failed none from 20.

I've applied for La Trobe, RMIT & Vic Uni's Dip Ed courses, will I have trouble getting in? Please someone help! lol!

Depends on how highly they value things like relevant qualifcations/experience as well.

 

[bomberdude18 2]

Would you guys recommend the two year masters courses ahead of a dip ed?

Also, are there any catholic school teachers amongst you? I'm considering a course at ACU.

Any other general advice is welcome. Those of us interested in applying have only got to the end of the month.

Only go to ACU if you're seriously keen on teaching in catholic schools. I did my first year there and there's some really strange and poor quality people at ACU.

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

I did the 1 year external Dip Ed through Charles Darwin in 2010 and got a contract for this year in Week 3 term 1. It was pretty full on but glad I did it now.

 

[sainter]

Only go to ACU if you're seriously keen on teaching in catholic schools. I did my first year there and there's some really strange and poor quality people at ACU.

That's my main reason for selecting ACU. I'm catholic and attended a catholic primary and secondary school so thought it would be a natural progression. I also thought it might increase my options of getting a job at the end. From what I've read it's quite difficult getting a graduate position.

I did the 1 year external Dip Ed through Charles Darwin in 2010 and got a contract for this year in Week 3 term 1. It was pretty full on but glad I did it now.

Glad you mentioned that.

I've applied for on campus courses but I was considering applying for the external course via Open University as well. It's a two year part time course through Monash Uni that requires you to do two subjects plus teaching rounds for the four semesters.

How did you find the off campus study and did you find that it placed you behind the eight ball in any way?

I was thinking it would be a good way of sticking with my current FT work and I could use my annual leave for the practical component.

 

[radiojake]

I'm applying for the dip ed course, they say 1,500 apply and 200 get a place (in La Trobe).

I've applied for La Trobe, RMIT & Vic Uni's Dip Ed courses, will I have trouble getting in? Please someone help! lol!

How did you go with this?

I've just recently applied for a Dip Ed at La Trobe and Vic Uni for next year - I have not previously heard of those application numbers and was just kinda hoping i'd get in based on my fairly decent marks in my bachelors degree (9 scores of 80+, 6 scores of 70-80, 5 scores of 60+)

My housemate's mother works in the industry of teacher training and she seemed to think there was a real shortage of male teachers in primary education and that she thinks it would be a good idea for me -

Only 3 or so months ago I started doing some guitar teaching once a week at a primary school, (8 to 10 year olds) and from next week I'll start at a 2nd school once a week. I've really enjoyed teaching the kids so far but I admit I feel overwhelmed sometimes and I only have classes of three for their half hour lessons!

But yeah, nearly 30 years old and only just started thinking maybe being a primary school teacher (ideally a music teacher) might be something I should've done a while ago... My ex-girlfriend always used to tell me that I should be a kids music teacher, but I always dismissed it... I find it kinda funny that I've applied for a Dip Ed all these years later...

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

How did you go with this?

I've just recently applied for a Dip Ed at La Trobe and Vic Uni for next year - I have not previously heard of those application numbers and was just kinda hoping i'd get in based on my fairly decent marks in my bachelors degree (9 scores of 80+, 6 scores of 70-80, 5 scores of 60+)

My housemate's mother works in the industry of teacher training and she seemed to think there was a real shortage of male teachers in primary education and that she thinks it would be a good idea for me -

Only 3 or so months ago I started doing some guitar teaching once a week at a primary school, (8 to 10 year olds) and from next week I'll start at a 2nd school once a week. I've really enjoyed teaching the kids so far but I admit I feel overwhelmed sometimes and I only have classes of three for their half hour lessons!

But yeah, nearly 30 years old and only just started thinking maybe being a primary school teacher (ideally a music teacher) might be something I should've done a while ago... My ex-girlfriend always used to tell me that I should be a kids music teacher, but I always dismissed it... I find it kinda funny that I've applied for a Dip Ed all these years later...

Wow that must of been a few years ago now.

I got in, did the one year (2012), did some CRT work first term 2013 and have now been working full time for three terms.

The course was very full on, but it wasn't hard. The deadlines and the some of the tasks were illogical (first day english you were given an assignment to plan an entire unit of work for English, but hey, hilarious doing that when your students haven't gone on placement yet).

There were some criticisms from everyone who did it with me, but from what I've heard they fine tuned it in 2013 and now I think next year it will be a two year course rather then one year.

Obviously if I had my time again I would have done the Bachelor of Teaching because those students have a significantly higher chance of employment based on all the schools they do placement at. I think placement is the best chance you have to get a job, very tough the application process because so many people apply for jobs that schools already know who they're employing (schools need to advertise all jobs pretty much). So you could be going in to an interview for a job that's already been decided.

As for the course, I can only speak for the La Trobe one, Peter, Greg, Betina were my standout teachers simply because they related they made an incredible effort to teach explicitly whilst other teachers simply waffled on.

One word of advice, placement is everything. It's where you will definitely do the most learning and it's your best job interview.

The job itself, I really enjoy, I'm 23 on 60k a year so I'm doing better then all of my friends from high school who scoffed at becoming a teacher! There's definitely room to move up the corporate ladder if you show great initiative such as becoming a leading teacher or even assistant principal/principal (but that's a long way away). Even broadening your horizons and gaining enough experience to go back and further study you could apply for work with the department of education if you want to try different things, so you won't simply rot away in a classroom for 50 years if you don't want too.

Enjoy the course, it's full on, they cram years into one year, but ultimately if you come out of it with the diploma you're a qualified teacher just like anyone else.

 

[radiojake]

Enjoy the course, it's full on, they cram years into one year, but ultimately if you come out of it with the diploma you're a qualified teacher just like anyone else.

How many days a week were you on campus/placement?

Am I going to have time to do guitar teaching twice a week at other schools?

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

How many days a week were you on campus/placement?

Am I going to have time to do guitar teaching twice a week at other schools?

I did full time placement twice in the year. One time in May for 4 weeks and one time in August/September 5 weeks. That was every day, they did change in for 2013 but I don't know how. So you might have trouble with the guitar lessons.

On Campus, I was three 3/4 days a week. Friday was always the day off.

 

[radiojake]

I did full time placement twice in the year. One time in May for 4 weeks and one time in August/September 5 weeks. That was every day, they did change in for 2013 but I don't know how. So you might have trouble with the guitar lessons.

On Campus, I was three 3/4 days a week. Friday was always the day off.

Thanks for that -

I guess I'll just see what happens then

 

[TigerGlory]

In fairness the four year bachelor degree that I just finished was overall about as useful as **** on a bull. I counted maybe three or four units in the whole four year course that have some applicability when im actually in the classroom. Had I known that prior to beginning I would have just done the three year Arts degree followed by the Dip Ed.

 

[Ed D]

In fairness the four year bachelor degree that I just finished was overall about as useful as **** on a bull. I counted maybe three or four units in the whole four year course that have some applicability when im actually in the classroom. Had I known that prior to beginning I would have just done the three year Arts degree followed by the Dip Ed.

Really? What type of teaching are you looking at getting into and where did you study?

I'm currently doing the bachelors degree at Deakin for primary teaching and finding it really useful (with most subjects relevant to teaching). I've chatted to quite a few teachers and principals and they all say they favour the full course over the dip ed. From what I've found out there are a few important factors (this is for primary teachers):

- Bachelors degree over dip ed
- Male over female
- Relevant additional work
- Mature age

I'd say the big one is doing volunteer work outside of your placement. Like what was mentioned earlier, you do most of your learning on placement, and from that you can usually ask your mentor teacher/school about doing additional work within the classroom. You'll learn a heap more doing this and it looks good when applying for work. A lot of people will get jobs through either doing work at a school or a connection (like two principals knowing each other and recommending you) so getting your name out there and doing extra work pays off, but only if it's relevant to teaching.

One more thing, if you're looking at being a specialist teacher (Music/PE/Art/Drama/Language etc) it might be best you ask around first. I've bumped into a few teachers who are specialists and they have had limited teaching qualifications. I think they're ones where a dip ed would be enough.

 

[iDon]

Being extremely frustrated with the how application process of getting a job. I am PE/Maths trained, and seeing jobs come and go in that field and knowing those that got the job (they aren't qualified in maths) is a real kick in the guts. A lot of who you know and not what you know (life really). Might just have to do the whole CRT route again and see how long I last before going overseas.

Out of interest TheUndertaker do you think you learnt enough in 1 year doing a dip=ed? I have been around a few dip-ed teachers and some of the stuff that they come out with I just scratch my head at .

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

Being extremely frustrated with the how application process of getting a job. I am PE/Maths trained, and seeing jobs come and go in that field and knowing those that got the job (they aren't qualified in maths) is a real kick in the guts. A lot of who you know and not what you know (life really). Might just have to do the whole CRT route again and see how long I last before going overseas.

Out of interest TheUndertaker do you think you learnt enough in 1 year doing a dip=ed? I have been around a few dip-ed teachers and some of the stuff that they come out with I just scratch my head at .

Sorry for the late reply DonDraper I haven't logged onto the forum in weeks.

The course itself isn't where I learnt the most. It was through making the most of the placement opportunities the university gave me. Then once you get a job (getting a job is a job in itself) you learn through there too. It's so much easier to get work if you're lucky enough to get placement at a school with a thriving enrolment.

The course I did was full of irrelevant assignments, for example, first day in for English class in my DipEd course at La Trobe, we had to create a unit of work for a 3/4 class. Now it's ridiculous (I even thought it at the time) to be placed in that position when I hadn't yet experienced what it was like to even teach any students in the classroom.

Once I went on placement, that's where most of the learning takes place and it was enough to get me a job. Once you've got your foot in the door you can continue to learn and you'll be just as capable as anyone with a four year degree. It depends on the person and how they apply themselves. A lot of the people I've kept in touch with have found work - like myself, a full time position. Others however have struggled to find any work. CRT, working for an agency like ANZUK can also be worth looking into.

It's what you make of it. Goodluck!!

 

[radiojake]

Got offered a place in the Graduate Diploma of Primary Education at La Trobe this morning....

Looks like I'll have 2 weeks placement in May...

We'll see how it goes...