This module will deepen the learner’s critical understanding of Montessori education
and examine the application of Montessori theory to all ages. Learners will be
required to critically appraise the Montessori approach with other pedagogies
underpinning the Primary School Curriculum.

This module will deepen the learner’s critical understanding of Montessori education
and examine the application of Montessori theory to all ages. Learners will be
required to critically appraise the Montessori approach with other pedagogies
underpinning the Primary School Curriculum.

This module enables the learner to put into practice professional and personal knowledge and skills, and to modify and expand theoretical and practical concepts in order to meet the learning needs of children in the classroom. It will encourage the learner to take responsibility and use initiative in observing, planning, delivering and assessing lessons and projects in the classroom. It will allow the learner to further develop  collaboration, communication skills and reflective abilities consistent with best practice in teaching.

This module will enable the learner to select and delve deeper into an area of particular interest, arising from learning in other modules, and reflecting the ethos and content of the programme. The learner will be introduced to the processes of academic research and will gain an understanding of the value of research in educational settings. This capstone module will enable the learner to integrate different aspects of his/her learning throughout the programme.

This module aims to ensure that the learners will demonstrate professionally high standards in quality provision for pupils with special educational needs through collaboration, valuing curricula and methodological flexibility. It will ensure that the learners will have in-depth knowledge of current research, support services and the integrated nature of the curriculum.

The objectives of this module are to familiarise learners with the key internal cognitive psychological aspects involved in learning such as memory, intelligence and critical thinking. Learners will explore different perspectives such as behaviourist, humanistic and postive psychology. They will examine how these perspectives aid us in understanding how individuals perceive the world around them and how this impacts on the learning environment.

This module develops the learner’s knowledge of the Irish educational system, its policies, procedures and curriculum practices. Learners will analyse key educational legislation and policy and the implications of same. It will also prepare the learner to conduct a case study of a primary school pupil utilising observation techniques and interviewing strategies as well as teacher-made checklists, tasks and tests along with a wide range of other assessment tools to assess the pupil’s learning progress and proffer recommendations for improvements in meeting the pupil’s individual learning needs.

The focus of this module is to deepen the learners’ grounding in the discipline of philosophy of education. It aims to demonstrate, and enable the learner to explore and critically reflect on the relevance of political and educational philosophy, ethics and epistemology to contemporary educational issues. It will examine the role of philosophy, complementary to other disciplines, within educational research. The goal is to enable the learner to bring philosophical thinking to bear on his/her own educational concerns including professional practice. It enables the learner to evaluate arguments made on controversial educational issues and to work out and
express his/her own position. The practical application of philosophy is also explored
to enable learners to utilize philosophy in the classroom.

This module will enable the learner to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes for dealing with personal and professional issues in today’s work place. The learner will acquire skills and strategies for self-development, self-care, self-awareness, and the promotion of these in their pupils. He/she will explore the concepts of professionalism and professional practice. The learner will evaluate the role of regulatory and advisory agencies and the importance of continuing professional development throughout the professional life of a teacher. The module will help the learner identify and enhance his/her teambuilding and leadership skills.

The objectives of this module are to enable the learner to develop an appreciation of the importance of the arts in the holistic development of the child (spiritual, moral, emotional, social, intellectual and physical), and to implement creative artistic objectives in various educational settings. It is intended to give the learner a clear understanding of the role of the teacher as a facilitator in providing opportunities for children to work independently, emphasising the importance of process (as opposed to product) in creative classroom activities. It further intends to increase the learner’s (teacher’s) confidence in creating and implementing learning opportunities in artistic areas where the learner/teacher might not be a specialist.

Is iad cuspóirí an mhodúil seo ná tuiscint agus eolas an fhoghlaimeora a fhorbairt i leith múineadh na Gaeilge tríd an gcur chuige cumarsáideach. Cuirfear béim ar leith ar chomhtháthú na gceithre scileanna teanga – labhairt, éisteacht, léitheoireacht agus scríbhneoireacht. Tá sé beartaithe forbairt a dhéanamh ar fheasacht an fhoghlaimeora i leith tábhacht na bhfíorleabhar i múineadh na léitheoireachta Gaeilge. Déanfar forbairt ar líofacht agus ar chruinneas an fhoghlaimeora sa Gaeilge – go foirmeálta agus go neamhfhoirmeálta. Freisin, tá sé beartaithe forbairt a dhéanamh ar chumas agus ar fhéinmhuinín an fhoghlaimeora i leith múineadh na Gaeilge mar bhunábhar an churaclaim athbhreithnithe. Déanfar leathnú ar eolas an fhoghlaimeora ar achmhainní na Gaeilge agus ar an áblatacht iad a úsáid agus a fhoinsiú.

(The objectives of this module are to develop the knowledge and understanding of the learner of the communicative approach to the teaching of Irish reading with a particular emphasis on the integration of the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). It is intended to develop the learner’s awareness of the importance of real readers in the teaching of Irish reading. It is intended to increase the learner’s fluency and accuracy of Irish – both formal and informal. It further intends to develop the learner’s confidence and ability to teach Irish as an integral part of an integrated curriculum. The learner’s knowledge of Irish language resources and the ability to source and utilise them will be expanded).