I’ve officially started my PGCE and couldn’t be more excited about the new journey I’m on. For those unfamiliar, the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is the qualification I need to become a fully certified teacher, and right now, I’m focusing on teaching computer science at Newcastle College. The role has me teaching from Level 4 up to Level 6, so I'm covering a wide range of topics from the basics all the way to more advanced concepts in the field.
Before starting the PGCE, I already had a solid background in software development, but teaching is a whole new ballgame. It's one thing to write code and solve problems yourself, but it's another to break down those skills for students who are just beginning their journey or need to refine their understanding. I’ve got first-year degree students who are fresh out of college, and others who’ve been around the block a bit longer, so I’m learning how to adapt my teaching style to suit everyone.
Computer science is such a vast field, and one of the challenges I’ve found is balancing theory with practical applications. Some students thrive on diving deep into the technicalities of algorithms and data structures, while others just wanna get their hands dirty and start coding. I’ve tried to bring both sides into my lessons by mixing up lectures with hands-on projects. I’m finding it helps to keep the lessons engaging and makes sure no one gets too bogged down with one approach.
Aside from the technical stuff, I’m also teaching employability skills – something I think is crucial for anyone in computer science. Knowing how to code is one thing, but being able to communicate, work in a team, and apply those skills in real-world scenarios is what makes you employable. I try to integrate these skills into every lesson, because at the end of the day, my students need to be prepared for the demands of the industry.
The biggest challenge so far has been time management, especially balancing my own studies with teaching. PGCE assignments, lesson planning, marking, and teaching all at once is definitely a learning curve. But it’s been rewarding too – I’m learning just as much from my students as they are from me. Each class gives me new insights into how people learn, which helps me refine my approach.
The journey is just starting, and there’s a lot ahead. I’m looking forward to developing my teaching style even further, learning more about the ins and outs of education, and helping my students succeed. It’s been a big shift from software development to teaching, but I’m loving the process so far.
Expect more updates to follow both in my teaching journey and some software projects I have in the works...