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By Staff Training Branch, Training and Development Division |
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MOE's Staff Training Officers and National Institute of Education
(NIE) personnel conducting sharing and briefings in schools
have also experienced mounting enthusiasm among interested teachers.
At last count, some 650 teachers have signed up for Accreditation
Course (AC) modules under PDCM (including January 2006 modules).
(Click to read more)
“On 29 July 2005, 22 teachers including myself,
started as the pioneer batch of the PDCM programme,
having signed up for the module 'Using Technology
in Mathematics Education'.
One main reason why I took up the course is my firm belief that as educators, we must continuously acquire knowledge so that our pupils will benefit and learn from us. Presently, I am hoping to attain a Masters in Education (Mathematics) or Masters in Science (Mathematics) since my area of interest and specialisation is Maths and Maths Education. By taking the PDCM modules, I can save on a substantial amount of course fees because they are heavily subsidised by MOE.
After attending this module, I discovered that
other than familiarising myself with the ICT
tools learnt during the 13 weeks, I am also
able to make informed decisions about the feasibility
and appropriate use of ICT in my classroom and
school. Since then, I have suggested to my school
to purchase an ICT tool called the Geometer’s
Sketchpad (GSP). In the near future, Tampines
North Primary pupils will benefit from learning
in a more student-centred environment! All thanks
to PDCM!” |
“There is much talk about educational research
these days and the Research Methodology Module
1 offers a good platform for one to understand
what research truly is. I am glad this AC module
is now accessible to all teachers for it has
given me an opportunity to learn more about
what constitutes research and if other modes
of research can help one comprehend pedagogical
concerns. I must say I have learnt much besides
being brought through the process of interpreting
and analysing research articles and writing
a good literature review. Now I know which are
the appropriate approaches to employ the next
time I wish to conduct educational research!”
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“I joined the Masters programme in January 2005
and paid about $1,400 in the first semester.
In July, I received a letter from NIE announcing
the introduction of PDCM for teachers and the
new financial structure for the Masters programme
(January 2005 intake). The letter briefly mentioned
the additional one-time payment of about $300
if I continued to be an MOE employee and completed
the Masters degree by end of December 2009.
I was happy that I have been given the choice
of two methods of payment. So, I went to the
MOE and NIE websites to find out more about
PDCM.
Some of my coursemates who attended the talk given by STB and NIE shared more information with us. All of us recognised that it was a good move to encourage more teachers to develop professionally and advance their skills in specific areas by attending in-service courses in the evening. In fact, all of us made our decisions to switch to the PDCM payment after that night’s discussion!”
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Under PDCM, teachers wishing to pursue a MA/MSc/MEd degree
can sign up for four modules as part of their in-service
training via TRAISI. They can then choose to formally
enrol into the respective MA/MSc/MEd programmes.
Masters programmes offered under PDCM from 2005/06:
Master of Education (18 specialisations);
Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics);
Master of Arts (Social Studies);
Master of Science (Life Sciences); and
Master of Science (Exercise and Sports Studies).
Master of Arts (Educational Management) for middle
management officers will be offered from 2006. Watch
for it! |
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