Susan Richardson

Name: Susan Richardson
Subject: English
Location: Thurso High School
Teaching Experience: one year

Susan Richardson, 46, trained to be a teacher with Dundee University's distance learning based PGDE (Post Graduate Diploma in Education) course. She graduated in June 2005.

Without the distance learning option offered by the Dundee course, Susan, 46, would not have been able to realise her dream of becoming a teacher. Susan says:

"I graduated first time around with a degree in English from Glasgow University and have been interested in teaching for many years now. Although committing to a full time, in-faculty course would have been impossible as I live in a rural area and have two children still at school.

"Nevertheless I worked in the local high school as a learning support auxiliary for experience and then, thankfully, found out about the course at Dundee. The course removed the problem of distance by letting me do most of my study at home."

Asked to describe her experience of the course, Susan says:

"The online materials were very well thought out and very well prepared. In addition to the distance-learning facilities, school placements can be organised in schools convenient to you and your circumstances.

"There was a good mix of ages on the course – some recent graduates and some mature students. It was nice after many years away from that sort of environment to be able to chat, albeit online, to others in a similar situation. There was a real enthusiasm amongst everyone on the course."

Susan has this advice for anyone considering a career in teaching:

"If you have been out of school for any length of time, get some experience of the 21st century classroom. Be prepared to be absolutely exhausted doing a very valuable, rewarding and worthwhile job. Know that life experiences are a valuable asset in the classroom and that it is never too late to give it a try. One tutor reminded us frequently that Scotland’s children need us!"

Describing her first day of term as a secondary teacher, Susan said: "It has been exhilarating, nerve-wracking, puzzling, daunting, fun and rewarding – and this is only day one!"

The course at Dundee, which combines three main elements; in-faculty learning, online learning and school experience, has almost double the number of candidates this year compared to last year. Intake is expected to double again for 2006/07 with hopes for 100 new teachers to qualify from the course that year.

Students study from home using the University's comprehensive virtual learning environment, called Blackboard, which they access through wireless laptop computers provided by the University. The distant learning aspect of the course means that students only have to be on campus for a total of seven weeks during the course. The seven weeks of in-faculty time at Dundee compares with around 18 weeks on other courses, which is why the course is so popular amongst those in rural communities.

Course Leader, Graham Williamson, explains:

"The main emphasis of the course is on flexibility. We were keen to create a course that gave candidates the greatest amount of flexibility whilst ensuring that they have access to all the teaching, information and interaction opportunities that they need.

"The main focus was to provide those living in rural areas, such as Susan Richardson, who otherwise would not have been able to return to university, the opportunity to train as teachers.

"In order to make this possible, in-faculty learning is condensed into intense two week sessions. There are three two-week sessions spread throughout the academic year, with an additional week towards the end of the course, which brings the total in-faculty learning time to seven weeks. This allows people to stay within their local communities where they may have family commitments, whist studying for the teaching qualification."