Doing Your PGCE At M-Level: A Guide for Students

What is PGCE at M-Level and what can you expect from the course? How can it help you to develop as a professional?

Master's-level study is now a well established component of PGCE courses and this new edition of the best selling student guide offers a clear and concise overview of Master's level aspects in teacher education.

This Second Edition includes discussion of recent developments in education policy, greater coverage of reflective practice in school-based training and up-to-date advice on how to get a teaching job at the end of your course.

With new reflective activities designed to help students develop critical skills, and improved references to additional material, this book is essential reading for students on PGCE courses in primary and secondary education.

Keira Sewell leads Visionary Education (http://www.visionary-education.co.uk), an education consultancy covering teacher training, science education, strategic development and business and industry partnerships.

Contrbutors to the book are members of the primary and secondary PGCE teams at the University of Southampton, Edge Hill University, the University of Dundee and an independent consultant supporting Higher Education Institutions.

Praise for the book:

Doing your PGCE at M level is a valuable guide designed to enable students to achieve success. Its approach, using clear explanations and case studies enable trainees to engage at a critical level and understand the potential benefits this can bring to them personally and professionally.

Moving forward from the first edition in a way that incorporates education policy from recent fast moving times this enables trainees to critique and identify how the education arena is shaped. This new edition also enables trainees to develop many of the key skills of M-Level work; the development of reflective activities to enable deep reflection and critical analysis is a welcome development.

This comprehensive text will be a valuable resource for anyone training to be a PGCE teacher.” - Tim Roberts, PGCE Programme Director, University of Hertfordshire

Keira Sewell and Liz Lakin

What Will the PGCE at M-Level Do for Me?

What Is the Difference Between the Postgraduate Certificate in Education and the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education?

What Does a PGCE at M-Level Look Like?

How Do I Decide Which Route Is for Me?

Education in Scotland

Qualifying to Teach in Scotland

Liz Lakin

What Can I Expect My PGCE at M-Level to Look Like at Subject Level?

The Subject Specialist and Competent Teacher

An Introduction to the Curriculum and Its Supporting Literature

Developing Your Subject Knowledge

Taking Ownership of Your Subject Knowledge and Understanding

The Professional Educator

The Learning Process: Theories

The Learning Process: Application

What Can I Expect My PGCE at M-Level to Look Like During My School-Based Training?

Context

What Exactly is Reflection?

So How Can I Develop My Reflective Skills and What is My Role in This Process?

How Should I Record the Process of Reflection?

Directed Activity Example

The Role of the Mentor

What Does my Mentor Get Out of It?

Tim Cain

What Is the Relationship between Research and Development as a Professional?

What Role Does Research Play in My Professional Development?

Educational Theory

Reading Research

Why Should I Research My Own Practice?

How Do I Research My Own Practice?

Problems with M-Level Research Assignments

What Have Assignments to Do with My Professional Development?

Kate Domaille

How Does Academic Writing at M-Level Make Me a Better Teacher?

What is My Tutor Looking For in My Academic Study?

From H-Level to M-Level

And so to Reading…

Using the Library

Two Case Studies, Starting with Excellent!

Writing Well

How Does Academic Writing at M-level Make Me a Better Teacher?

Keira Sewell

Getting a Job With a PGCE at M-Level

So How Do I Sell Myself to Potential Employers?

Filling Out the Application Form

Planning a Sample Lesson

Being Interviewed

After the Interview

Why Should I Continue My Studies?

Keira Sewell

What Further Study Options are Available?

What Part of My PGCE at M-Level Can I Use to Transfer into a Masters Award?

What Course Should I Choose?

When Should I Continue with My Studies?

Potential Barriers to Further Study

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

‘Doing your PGCE at M level is a valuable guide designed to enable students to achieve success. Its approach, using clear explanations and case studies enable trainees to engage at a critical level and understand the potential benefits this can bring to them personally and professionally. Moving forward from the first edition in a way that incorporates education policy from recent fast moving times this enables trainees to critique and identify how the education arena is shaped. This new edition also enables trainees to develop many of the key skills of M-Level work; the development of reflective activities to enable deep reflection and critical analysis is a welcome development. This comprehensive text will be a valuable resource for anyone training to be a PGCE teacher’ -

Tim Roberts, PGCE Programme Director, University of Hertfordshire

Praise for the first edition:

“An indispensable guide for anyone who wants to get the most out of new opportunities to study to become a teacher at M-Level. The book explains, in clear and accessible language, what studying at Masters level entails and the benefit it can bring in terms of career progression and continuing professional development” - James Rogers, Executive Director, Universities Council for the Education of Teachers

“This book is a timely aid for students embarking on what they may perceive as being the doubly daunting prospect of becoming a schoolteacher and engaging with Masters level study. I enjoyed reading it very much and feel that it is an essential aid to beginning PGCE students. I am very pleased to recommend it to students and their tutors on Masters level PGCE courses in Higher Education Institutions across the sector” - Dr Alison Jackson, ESCalate ITE Leader, University of Cumbria

“As a PGCE student, I found this to be essential reading. A highly comprehensive yet very accessible text, it will be useful not only to those considering doing a M-Level PGCE, but also as a survival handbook for those already on the course” - Diane Troughton, PGCE student

“I was very impressed at the invaluable advice and support this book offers. It poses excellent questions that encourage personal reflection and offers helpful case studies to clearly illustrate ideas. It gives a complete picture in a clear, accessible manner” - Katie Pragnell, PGCE student

Excellent resources for trainee teachers

Mr Vernon Ambris

Health and Social Care, East Berkshire College

December 10, 2014

Report this review

This book contains several excellent chapters that helps support students making the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate level work.

Dr Richard Newton

School of Education, Oxford Brookes University

October 22, 2014

Report this review

A really important book for those undertaking a PGCE, especially as more providers are raising the bar and teaching at a Masters' Level

Mr Peter Flew

School of Education, Roehampton University

August 3, 2014

Report this review

A very useful guide for any PGCE trainee to refer to during their PGCE year. Some students do not fully appreciate the depth of study required for the PGCE and this book provides a very useful and informative comprehensive reference source.

Ms Joanne Courtney

Teaching, Health and Care, Bradford College

May 6, 2014

Report this review

A useful text that supports parts of the first year of teacher training courses. The practical examples and activates are very useful for discussion. It is written in a user friendly style which students on their first year like.

Mrs Debra Cushen

care and education, University of Wales

April 19, 2014

Report this review

this is an eay to read and v accessible book for the students - i have recommended at essential reading

Ms Roz Hornsby

School of Education & Training, Greenwich University

October 10, 2013

Report this review

A useful text book for students and staff alike.

Dr Janet Oti

Newport School of Education, University of Wales, Newport

June 26, 2013

Report this review

User friendly - clear and concise. It gives straightforward explanation of the 2 awards available. It examines the development of a critically reflective teacher and the importance of research in the development of educational theory. A must to support PGCE students who are studying at M level.

Mrs. Lorraine Dunn - Lecturer Douglas macmillan Hospice.

Ms Julie Tilstone

Education, Douglas Macmillan Hospice

April 3, 2013

Report this review

This is a very useful text for all those students who are looking for M level credits as part of their PGCE.

Mr Paul Hopkins

Faculty of Education, Hull University

November 22, 2012

Report this review

Added as a reading for those that wish to focus their PGCE at M level. More and more students are aiming to gain the M level credits on offer as part of the PGCE and this book helps focus them.

Mrs Catherine Carden

Faculty of Education, Canterbury Christ Church University

November 9, 2012

Report this review

Doing your PGCE at M-level is an essential reference text your students entering the teaching profession. There are clear exemplars and case studies for students to set their own benchmarks within the teaching profession. This is also useful for some undergraduate students who are doing educational research and preparing for further progression on PGCEs

Mr Darren Carr

Centre for Sport and Dance Studies, Liverpool John Moores University

September 4, 2012

Report this review

This book is an excellent guide for PGCE students who are studying at M level because it supports their study, guides them through the process and shows the relevance of continuing their study once they have qualified as teachers.

Mr Steve Watts

Faculty of Education and Society, Sunderland University

August 17, 2012

Report this review

This will be useful but as a support text

Mr Paul Hopkins

Faculty of Education, Hull University

July 9, 2012

Report this review

A useful guide for students beginning a PGCE programme at M Level.

Mrs Rachel Wallis

Swansea School of Education, Swansea Metropolitan University

June 27, 2012

Report this review

This is an excellent resource for those people finding it difficult to produce reflective material for assignments.

Mrs Dawn Hewitson

Faculty of Education, Edge Hill University

June 27, 2012

Report this review

Clear, straightforward and addresses many common issues faced by postgraduate students

Mrs Sharon James

Swansea School of Education, Swansea Metropolitan University

June 18, 2012

Report this review

A very user friendly text which clearer outlines why PGCE work needs to be at M level and how to proceed step by step with M level work.

Miss Liz McGuire

PGCE Secondary, Leeds Trinity and All Saints

April 24, 2012

Report this review

Doing your PGCE at M Level helps guide and support students on choosing which route to apply for to gain employment as a teacher. It gives a clear explanation of the 2 awards available, those being PGCE at M level and the PGCE at H level.

The book examines how M level study supports the development of a critically reflective teacher, encouraging the reader to consider how reflective practice can enable the student to move forward with their studies and consequent employment. It provides a good range of case studies from the authors own experiences and practices which the reader can benefit from and relate to. The book also discusses the importance of research in the development of educational theory and looks at ways in which the reader can research their own practice.

It is a highly recommended book to help support student on PGCE courses

Ms Julie Tilstone

Education, Douglas Macmillan Hospice

April 4, 2012

Report this review

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles