21st Century Teaching and Learning (P. Grad. Cert.) is a one year, part-time course that is worth 30 ECTS credits. The aim of this course is to equip in-service teachers with the requisite knowledge, skills and competence to support the development of an innovative learning culture within schools, that is team-based, technology mediated, project-focused and cross curricular.
The mode of delivery of this course will return to a primarily in-person one in September 2022. This will mean attending six modules on TCD campus throughout the 2022/23 academic year, each one on a full Saturday.
The course modules aim to enhance the expertise of participant teachers in new models of teaching and learning with particular emphasis on Science Technology Engineering Maths/Computer Science. They also aim to address complex challenges related to developing an inclusive educational environment and preparing all school students for higher academic aspiration and progression, through a focus on whole school culture, leadership and change. It is intended that participant teachers will learn how to develop and lead a 'cultural change process' within the classroom and the wider school community.
Course Coordinator: Dr Jake Byrne | Email:[email protected]Course Administrator: Ms Michaela Gaffney | Email: [email protected] Tel: (01) 8962751
One Year, part-time
Dr Jake Byrne
Ms Michaela Gaffney
September 2022 | *Closing Date Extended to 31st July 2022*
Admission Requirements: Each applicant must meet the following academic and professional criteria.
Academic: Possess qualifications and competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications (for example, a higher diploma or an honours degree).
Supporting documentation, such as academic transcripts and parchments, references and CVs, must be received by 31st July 2022.
Professional:
The course is aimed at currently practicing teachers in post-primary schools in Ireland. It is suitable for teachers of any subject, not just STEM. Every year, we also have several primary school teachers take part; however, the course is only suitable for teachers of senior primary students, i.e. 5th and 6th class. We also accept teachers in Further Education, Third Level institutes, and informal educators such as CoderDojo staff. An interview may be required if an applicant falls outside our typical target audience. Due to the practical nature of most of the modules and assignments, applicants should be class teachers or at least have sufficient access to groups of students for the purposes of lesson planning and implementation.
No. The Certificate requires that students are already qualified teachers/other practicing educators. While the Cert allows students to explore issues in education and aims to enhance participants' knowledge and practice in educational spheres, it is not designed so as to qualify graduates to teach.
The deadline is 31st July 2022. All supporting documents must be received by 31st July 2022. (See next section for a list of these)
An application form (submitted online), two references and an up-to-date CV are required for all applications. An academic transcript from your degree, and a degree certificate (parchment) are also required. If you won't be able to submit the transcript or certificate until after 30th June, please upload placeholder documents in order to submit the application. Students who studied for their primary degree through a medium other than English are asked to provide certification of their linguistic competence in English (e.g. grade 6.5 IELTS).
Applications are assessed and offers are made on a rolling basis. For non-EU students, we aim to communicate a decision on applications within three weeks of receiving the completed application.
Ideally you would give the names of one academic referee (e.g. a lecturer who taught you) and one professional referee (preferably the principal of your current school). If you have been out of formal education for some time, and would not have an appropriate academic referee, your second reference can be from another professional colleague (such as your deputy principal or a former principal).
For general PG Cert queries, please contact the programme administrator, Michaela Gaffney, at [email protected], or by telephone: +353-1-896-3812.
The schedule has not been finalised yet, but course instruction will begin in September 2022 and run until March 2023. A 2-hour Orientation will be delivered virtually, via Zoom. The first module, Digital Media Literacy, is compulsory for all students, and will run onsite in Dublin on a full Saturday in mid-late September.
Students accepted to the programme will be asked to choose their preferred five additional modules, which will be delivered across Semester One (September - December) and Semester Two (January - March), also onsite in TCD. Please consult our brochure for descriptions of the available modules. Some extra virtual support sessions will be delivered via Zoom, but applicants should be prepared to attend the majority of the course in person.
The Postgraudate Certificate in 21st Century Teaching and Learning fees for the academic year 2023/2024, including the €55 application fee, making it great value Teacher CPD as well as a level 9 postgraduate qualification are as follows:
Postgraduate Certificate- 21st Century Teaching and Learning
Part-time (1 year)
€370 EU Student
€370 Non-EU Student
Participating in this course has had a profound impact on my teaching, and I start my lessons with a newfound confidence in my own abilities to use technology more. The confidence I gained meant that I had no concerns about preparing lessons for distance learning during the Coronavirus pandemic, which helped to alleviate unnecessary stress for me at a time of great uncertainty. Colette Smith Largy College, Monaghan (PG Cert 2019/20)
Participating in this course has had a profound impact on my teaching, and I start my lessons with a newfound confidence in my own abilities to use technology more. The confidence I gained meant that I had no concerns about preparing lessons for distance learning during the Coronavirus pandemic, which helped to alleviate unnecessary stress for me at a time of great uncertainty.
Colette Smith
Largy College, Monaghan (PG Cert 2019/20)
Participating in the Postgraduate Certificate has helped our school introduce and embrace 21st century skills in our classrooms. We have developed a team of teachers and students that are engaged in project-based learning in the Arts, Sciences and Technology using the Bridge21 model of teaching and learning. Personally, I am enjoying a more facilitatory, creative role in my classroom, and my students have become more active learners. Deirdre Brennan Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School (PG Cert 2016-17)
Participating in the Postgraduate Certificate has helped our school introduce and embrace 21st century skills in our classrooms. We have developed a team of teachers and students that are engaged in project-based learning in the Arts, Sciences and Technology using the Bridge21 model of teaching and learning. Personally, I am enjoying a more facilitatory, creative role in my classroom, and my students have become more active learners.
Deirdre Brennan
Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School (PG Cert 2016-17)
As a Science teacher the course has made me think differently about my approach to methods of investigation and in particular inquiry based learning. The practical nature of the assignments has given me more confidence to allow students to solve problems on their own and take more control of their learning. Stephen Burns Drimnagh Castle Secondary School (PG Cert 2018/19)
As a Science teacher the course has made me think differently about my approach to methods of investigation and in particular inquiry based learning. The practical nature of the assignments has given me more confidence to allow students to solve problems on their own and take more control of their learning.
Stephen Burns
Drimnagh Castle Secondary School (PG Cert 2018/19)
