Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning)

Your career

This course is designed to train teachers in specialist secondary teaching areas and also to prepare them to teach with an applied and vocational learning orientation.

The course is accredited with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), which ensures that graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as teachers in Victoria and throughout Australia.

This course was developed in response to the changes now underway in education programs for young people that seek to use a more ‘hands on’ approach to teaching across the curriculum. These changes include the introduction of the Victorian Essential Learnings Standards (VELS); the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL); VET in Schools; and other Enterprise Education and Applied Learning programs in the lower and middle secondary school years.

These new programs have a distinctive applied learning orientation in curriculum and teaching approaches. The course also explores the use of applied learning approaches in the specialist teaching areas of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and VET Training Packages that students are eligible to teach.

The course will particularly interest professionals and trade qualified people considering teaching as a career change opportunity and who have applied and vocational qualifications, for example those with skills in:

» technology studies such as design and technology, food and technology, systems and technology.

» Vocational Education and Training (VET): agriculture, automotive, building and construction, business administration, Cisco, community services, clothing products, dance, desktop publishing, electronics, engineering, equine industry, financial services, fitness, food processing (wine), food technology, furnishing, horticulture, hospitality (operations), information technology, laboratory skills, multimedia, music industry, retail operations, seafood industry, small business practice, sport and recreation.

» knowledge and experience which can be applied in a range of school studies such as arts, science, mathematics, english, careers, information technology, media, music, environmental studies, social studies, student welfare and visual communication.

Employment opportunities

Graduates of the course will be eligible to apply for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and will therefore be able to teach across Australia and in other countries where there is mutual recognition of VIT teacher registration agreements in place.

The applied nature of the course means you are provided with many opportunities to work closely with potential employers such as schools, TAFEs and ACE providers. You will be encouraged to draw on your prior learning and experience and to become involved in the partnerships and networks that support the work of educators across these different settings. In many cases you will contribute to the value of these arrangements as an applied learning strategy for meeting course assessments.

The course team works closely with all applicants for the course and the VIT to explore each student's potential specialist teaching areas in the middle years, VCE, VCAL and in VET. This strategy maximises your employability across all sectors of education and training that involve working with young people. The course lecturers are also active researchers in the field of applied learning and bring opportunities for students to participate in the most current research and developments happening in this field.

Once you have completed the Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) you are also eligible to continue your studies in Applied Learning within Deakin's Master of Education (MEd) and Master of Professional Education and Training (MPET) programs.
Note: Please check with the Victorian Institute of Teaching for further information regarding mutual recognition of teacher registration agreements.

Course duration and delivery

The course team adopts an ‘applied’ approach to teaching, including participation in workshop-style intensive programs throughout the year. Much of the learning also takes place in education and training workplaces during Applied Learning teaching placements. The course is normally completed within one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

The course uses a mixed-mode delivery model which combines on-campus delivery, off-campus online study and a major component of work-based experiential learning in community youth learning sites such as schools, TAFE colleges, ACE agencies and vocationally relevant workplaces.

Why Choose Deakin University?

Knowledge and skills
Our courses cover key issues, concepts and knowledge required by professional teachers. We consult with practising teachers and principals about course content and assessment to ensure local and international professional relevance.

Flexibility
Deakin's postgraduate programs are genuinely flexible to help you fit your studies in with your work and personal commitments. The unique mixed-mode delivery of the Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) means that you enjoy the benefits of intensive on-campus workshops as well as the flexibility of Deakin's unique online studies.

Quality
At Deakin we pride ourselves on providing quality postgraduate courses. Excellence is evident in all aspects of our courses from the standard of our study materials to the teaching staff, who are leaders in their field. Setting a benchmark for Australian universities, our library service is among the best in the world. Regardless of where you live, resources can be posted, or accessed from our library's comprehensive electronic collection.

Technology
As a Deakin student you have access to the best new technologies. The University has produced its own Software Essentials DVD to support online communication. All units offer a dedicated teaching and learning site Deakin Studies Online.

Networks
As a Deakin postgraduate student, you will become part of a network of researchers, academics and practitioners. You will have access to specialist knowledge and the opportunity to establish new resources and contacts with people who are currently shaping and influencing the education sector.