NEW COURSE: BA in Education, Irish & Religious Studies

Do you have these qualities?

 
• Enthusiasm for learning
 
• Ability to relate well to young people
 
• Adaptability
 
• Openness to change
 
• Ability to communicate
 
• Concern for equality and justice
 
• A calm disposition
 
• Self-reflective personality
 
• Confidence in self
 
• Ability to organise
 
• Patience
 
• Fairness

Then a career in teaching may be just what you are looking for!

What type of teacher will you become?

As a graduate from this programme you will be competent to teach your subjects to the highest level in the Post Primary sector. This means that:

• You will have a broad and substantial knowledge of the theory and practice of education.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of Irish and Religious Education
• You will have developed the ability to think about your teaching practice as an ongoing process and adapt accordingly.
• You will have a range of innovative teaching methodologies.
• You will be flexible and comfortable working with pupils at all levels.
• Your approach to teaching will be enthusiastic, participatory and student centred.
• You will have developed skills in teamwork, facilitation and leadership.
• You will have the competence to work easily in the dynamic and challenging environment of a Post Primary school.
• You will be a committed life-long learner.

Learning Outcomes

Programme Outline/Structure
Programme Title:
Bachelor of Arts in Education, Irish and Religious Studies
NFQ Level of Award:
Level 8
At NFQ Level 8
Honours Bachelor Degree

Aims of Programme:

The aim of the course is to qualify graduates to teach Irish and Religious Education at post-primary level up to Honours Leaving Certificate level.  At the end of the programme graduates should be ready to enter the profession of teaching at second level with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies that should enable them to teach students effectively and enhance their learning experience in a positive and supportive manner.  The objectives of the programme are to produce post-primary teachers who are:

• Qualified to gain direct entry as teachers of irish and religious education in the post-primary sector
• Reflective Practitioners, i.e. teachers who are constantly reviewing their work and seeking to improve their practice through ongoing reflection and evaluation
• Competent in the knowledge domain for each of each subject to be taught up to Honours Leaving Certificate level.
• Student-centered and able to demonstrate best practice in teaching and learning environments
• Committed to the principles and practice of life-long learning with the capacity to adopt ‘inclusive’ teaching and learning methodologies, cognisant at all times of students with special educational needs.
• Aware of the current needs of second level students and be able to respond to those needs with a pastorally infused vision
• Responsible for their ongoing personal and professional development to enrich the quality of their teaching and sustain high levels of commitment to the development of young people
• Engaged in the ongoing development of a holistic, personal vision of their leadership role as educators and role models for young people

Programme Outcomes:
Outcomes demonstrate that the NFQ Award requirements are being met in respect of each of the strands and sub-strands of learning as per Level Indicators.

Knowledge – Breadth
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
1 Have a good understanding of theory, concepts and methods pertaining to second level teaching of Irish and Religious Education, including assessment associated with student-centred teaching and learning.

Knowledge – Kind
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
2 Have a detailed and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the teaching of Irish and Religious Education at post-primary level.
3 Engage as reflective practitioners in all domains of their teaching and learning with a commitment to continuous improvement with due regard to the attributes of ‘new professionalism’ including collegiality, partnership approaches, adaptability, accountability, caring,  building quality teacher student rapport, in accordance with the Teaching Council (Ireland) codes of professional conduct (2007).

Know How & Skill - Range
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
4 Demonstrate a mastery of active participatory teaching and to employ learning methodologies at an advanced level to act as reflective practitioners both as a student and in a professional capacity. 
5 Be effective and pro-active in the area of positive classroom management – consistent with best practice guidelines, current legislation and
nurturing healthy and positive self esteem among learners.

Know How & Skill - Selectivity
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
6 Be able to confidently engage in and resolve issues pertaining to challenges related to classroom management and lesson planning and design.
7 Be committed and pro-active in integrating special needs students and able to access and secure the necessary resources where appropriate in liaison with relevant staff and external professional agencies.

Competence – Context
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
8 Be able to use advanced skills to conduct research particularly in the areas of Education, Irish and Religious Studies, accepting responsibility for all related decision making.
9 Understand the nature and structures of external assessment procedures, formal state examinations and will have the ability to use a variety of diagnostic and assessment tools that acknowledges multiple intelligence and diverse student capacities.
. Competence – Role
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
10 Be comfortable and competent in all collegial environments that may involve collaborative planning, team teaching and peer learning processes, including the giving and receiving of professional feedback, in accordance with initiatives such as: School Development Planning (SDP) and Whole School Evaluation (WSE).
11 Be able to work effectively under guidance with qualified teachers and to manage classrooms made up of students from diverse backgrounds with diverse needs.

Competence – Learning to Learn
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
12 Be able to learn from experiences gained in different and new contexts and to take responsibilities for his/her own learning in a professional and ethical manner.

Competence – Insight
On successful completion of this programme the learner will:
13 Position their emerging philosophy within a global context of interdependence and the preparation of young people for a fulfilling life in family and community, where education for sustainability (social, environmental and economic) is valued.
14 Have a capacity to be socially responsible and develop a sense of their own value system.

Download_Brochure_Ed,_Iri,_Rel.pdf