DC016: Bachelor of Education in Home Economics and Technology

Overview

This is a course for people who are interested in becoming post-primary teachers in the subject areas of Home Economics and Technology. This course will enable you to register on graduation as a post primary teacher of Home Economics and Technology with the Teaching Council of Ireland.

The four-year programme will be delivered through a partnership of DCU and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).  The first two years of study will take place at the TUS Athlone campus, and the final two years at the DCU Institute of Education in Dublin. The unique approach taken in this course will enable you to become a confident and innovative home economics and technology teacher.

Careers and Further Options

You will be eligible to register as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and apply for employment as a teacher of Home Economics and Technology in post primary schools in Ireland. Teacher education graduates can also gain employment in industry, media, governmental, non-governmental and other settings.

Course Structure

Across the 4 years of this course, you will gradually develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to become a passionate teacher and advocate for the Home Economics and Technology subjects. In Years 1 and 2, you will develop deep knowledge of and mastery of culinary, textiles and technology design skills. In Years 3 and 4, the focus will be on enhancing your understanding of teaching and learning and honing your skills and practice as a teacher through sustained engagement in post-primary school settings. Throughout the delivery of this course, you will experience a learner-centred, supportive, open, dynamic and practical approach to the study of education.

Foundation and Professional Studies in Education 

Over the 4 years of the course, you will develop your professional knowledge and practice for teaching the Home Economics and Technology subjects. The foundation and professional studies modules focus on developing your knowledge and understanding of philosophy, sociology, psychology, and history of education, as well as your competence in designing, delivering and assessing quality teaching and learning experiences in home economics and technology-related subjects at both junior and senior cycle levels.

Home Economics and Technology

The study of Home Economics and Technology education is exciting, engaging, and challenging. You will learn ways in which individuals and families manage their resources to meet physical, emotional, intellectual, social and economic needs, and develop competencies in culinary arts and textiles. You will also learn the principles of design thinking and designerly practices, and innovation in technology design. Within the Circular Home Enterprise module in the final year, you will advance your theoretical knowledge and practical application of food studies, consumer studies, and technology design through an entrepreneurial project that examines sustainability, creativity and inclusion in home and community settings.

Professional Placement

One of the most exciting and rewarding elements of the course is our hands-on approach to professional placement. Across the 4-year course, you will be prepared for teaching practice in a range of learning environments and contexts, through engagement in micro-teaching, peer-teaching, team-teaching and observation of practice in post-primary school settings. In Year 3 and Year 4, the professional placement component of this course will enable you to engage in direct teaching of post-primary learners and learn about and get involved in activities and initiatives with the wider school community outside of classroom teaching. You will enjoy strong support throughout your professional development from experienced placement tutors and school-based cooperating teachers.    

Link to Course