Professional Master of Education in Design Engineering and Technology (PME DET)

PENDING TEACHING COUNCIL APPROVAL -The Professional Master of Education in Design, Engineering & Technology (PME DET) aims to enable graduates from design, engineering and related disciplines develop as professional educators across the subject areas of Technology and Engineering. The PME DET facilitates the personal, social, intellectual and practical growth of students, preparing them for professional careers as teachers of the technology subject areas and fostering the necessary skills and dispositions of research, analysis, evaluation and critique to enable them to become reflective practitioners. 

This course offers students the opportunity to combine two subjects, Technology and Engineering with a shared foundation in design. Design is an inherent component of technology and engineering. As such, a holistic approach to the teaching of subject knowledge and design skills will be adopted. The result of this combined approach will prepare pupils with the skills required to respond to technology problems and project briefs. Throughout the two years of the programme specific modules will cover the current curriculum content and in conjunction will develop foundation skills in design, technology and engineering. Both Technology and Engineering are continually evolving subjects. Student teachers will be trained to continually investigate new technologies, materials, electronics and design innovations to inform their teaching practice.

As the National College of Art and Design it is our objective to train and equip a new generation of educators to teach Technology and Engineering at secondary school level. A design led approach is essential to attract a wider cohort and to address the creative and academically challenging opportunities the curriculum presents. 

Pending Teaching Council ratification successful graduates of the programme will be eligible to register as post-primary teachers. Graduates will be prepared to deliver and implement the content of the Technology and Engineering curriculum, at junior and senior cycle. The subject combinations of Technology and Engineering underpinned with a shared foundation in design will create a unique subset of teachers. With the implementation of the revised senior cycle Technology curriculum and the new suite of technology subjects at junior cycle pupil numbers are increasing. It is envisaged that this trend will continue. Graduates will also be well-positioned to design and implement new design and technology-focused short courses and units of learning, at junior and senior cycle. Furthermore, it is envisaged that graduates from the PME DET will introduce and advocate for authentic design learning within their school communities.  

This course is designed to create a multifaceted professional teacher who can to deliver a high-quality Technology and Engineering & Design education to secondary level students. The programme is designed for applicants with recognised prior learning and experience in product design, interaction design or similar associated fields of design, technology and engineering. The course objective is to prepare student teachers through their training to create autonomous learning environments, where innovation and problem-solving skills are nurtured. Sustainability, ethical and moral aspects of technology engineering and design are just some of the current issues relating to the teaching of both subjects which the programme will address.