About Professional Master Of Education In Art And Design With Digital Media (level 9) in Limerick Institute of Technology

What is the programme about?

The programme supports and promotes the professional dimensions of teaching with an emphasis on the teacher as a reflective practitioner committed to and capable of career-long development based on informed reflective practice. Student teachers will acquire advanced professional knowledge and skills associated with research-informed teaching incorporating creative/academic study, research inquiry, professional discipline in work settings and a foundation for continuous professional development. The professional teaching portfolio is recognised as an important dimension of career-long learning. For the duration of the programme it is developed as a flexible electronic space, somewhere not just to document emergent and enduring development but as a learning artefact that is immanent in personal and professional development itself. The portfolio is a highly individualised, creative online vehicle that has many dimensions and purposes. 

The programme builds on the growing importance of digital media and social networking platforms that are progressively more available to everyone, but especially to young people. The special attention given to art and design digital media and pedagogies reflects both the increasing importance of teachers having the knowledge and skills to use contemporary digital media confidently in different personal and professional contexts, but especially in their classroom teaching, and the particular knowledge and skill set of art and design graduates who are increasingly adapt in the use of digital media in their art and design practice and for online networking. The programme uses online dialogue within a community of practice for student teachers to search, share and construct knowledge, and for them to support each other while on school placements. 

School placement involves two periods of block teaching with the advantage of student teachers having real opportunities to immerse themselves into the life of art and design departments and schools. Student teachers are placed in two different schools where they gain experience of teaching in different types of schools and in different social environments.

Class Contact Hours

30 hours per week

Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in art and design teaching at 2:2 and/or Honours degree in art/craft/design at 2:2.

Pre-requisite - currently teaching in mainstream education or involved in art, craft or design work in an alternative educational setting (for example, further education, higher education, PLC, museum/gallery, arts centre, health facility).

IELTS score for entry to graduate courses a minimum score of 6.0