Doing my degree in St Mary’s has been a wonderful experience that has equipped me well for a career in teaching. I have made lifelong friends, expanded my horizons and I like to think I have thrown myself wholeheartedly into the St Mary’s community which has provided me with many opportunities
Subject Study – Music
Study of Music enhances the intellectual formation of the student teacher and facilitates the development of their curriculum leadership capacity.
Music aims to develop knowledge and understanding of musical styles and techniques, performance skills and teaching methodologies. Selected aspects of Western classical and popular music are explored contextually and with reference to key works and pastiche activity. Opportunities are provided for students to apply newly acquired approaches to teaching and learning in the classroom environment, as well as for the development of solo and collaborative vocal and instrumental performance skills through participation in College musical events.
Education Studies
This aspect of the programme enables the development of the professional knowledge and understanding underpinning successful teaching. The modules address a wide range of topics such as: philosophical perspectives on learning and teaching; child development and psychology; the curriculum in schools; Safeguarding and Children’s Rights; the social aspects of schooling; principles of effective teaching and learning; issues pertaining to diversity and inclusion; and the education of children who experience Special Educational Needs.
Professional Development and School Experience
This element helps students connect theories with real-life experiences by encouraging them to think about and learn from what they do. Each year, students are asked to demonstrate increasing levels of proficiency in the classroom in line with the GTCNI teaching competence framework. Students are provided with opportunities to teach children of varying ages and abilities in a range of different contexts. There are also opportunities for students to choose options through which they may gain experience of teaching in the nursery and/or special school sectors. Students must be successful in School Experience each year in order to proceed to the next stage of the course.
Key Skills
There is a strong emphasis across the BEd Programme on the areas of Literacy, Numeracy, and Using ICT, along with the practical application and development of these areas to practice during School Experience.
Curriculum Studies
Modules within this strand of the programme involve the study of teaching strategies and modes of learning for all areas of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
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Undergraduate Admissions are made directly to the college rather than through UCAS.
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