Recently we asked Ann Gravells author of ‘The Award in Education and Training’ and ‘Passing Assessments for the Award in Education and Training' to answer a few questions for our learners.
We thank Ann for taking the time to talk to us, and hope this helps our learners who are thinking of enrolling on a teacher training course. This has the potential to change your career and can lead to a fully recognised teaching qualification.
The Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) Courses have proved extremely successful. Can you describe the differences in the changeover to the Level 3 Award in Education & Training?
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The change came about mainly due to what became known as the interim and final Lingfield Reports: Professionalism in Further Education, March and October 2012. Amongst other things, these reports reviewed PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS.
- The final report recommended renaming the qualifications and removing the 2007 Teaching Regulations which made it mandatory for teachers in the FE Sector in England to hold a teaching qualification.
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Awarding organisations have produced their qualification specifications for the replacement Award, Certificate and Diploma in Education and Training. These are now being introduced, with a final expected date of August 2014 for last registrations onto PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS.
What's new about the Level 3 Award in Education & Training?
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There are three units (2 x 3 credits, and 1 x 6 credits) whereas PTLLS had 4 x 3 credit units.
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The Award is only available at Level 3, PTLLS was both Level 3 and Level 4 to allow for differentiation.
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Some units from the Learning and Development suite of qualifications can be used instead of some of the Award's units, for example, Understanding the principles and practice of assessment.
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The content of the Award’s units is very similar to the PTLLS units, so anyone who holds PTLLS will not need to take the Award to remain current.
More information regarding the new qualifications can be found at:
http://www.anngravells.co.uk/teachingqualifications.html
How will the changeover benefit learners?
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Learners will be able to take units which are relevant to their job roles. For example, if they are pre-service, they can deliver a micro teach session to their peers. If they are in-service, they can take units from the Learning and Development suite which relate to teaching individuals or groups.
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Centres offering the Award should be able to choose their own methods of assessment, providing the criteria can be met by learners. This could mean less assignment work than was required for PTLLS.
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Academic writing and referencing is not a requirement.
How does your book help learners on the new award?
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The books are written in clear English, to help anyone new to teaching understand the theory in an easy way.
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Learners don’t have to read the whole book, they can look up relevant topics in the index to locate areas of interest at the time.
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There are two books, one is a text book which covers all the content of the main units of the Award. The other gives advice on how to meet the requirements of each unit’s assessment criteria.
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Both books give advice on preparing for and delivering the micro teach session.
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If learners don’t want to buy the books, they can purchase extracts in the form of electronic information leaflets and other resources (prices start at 50p) here: http://www.anngravells.co.uk/resources/
What can we expect out of the ‘Lifelong Learning Sector’' in the future?
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The Lifelong Learning Sector is now known as the Further Education and Skills Sector.
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A new body called the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) will enhance professionalism and standards within the sector.
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The ETF are currently reviewing the Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers, on which the teaching qualifications are based, however, the qualifications will not change as a result. The standards can be used as a staff development tool, for example during appraisals.
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