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An interview with the Associate Dean Teaching & Learning Geoff Riordan:

Q. How are Masters courses structured?

 A. The masters courses have been designed to incorporate two core subjects: `Learning and Change` and `Research Perspectives`. As part of the research revisioning exercise in the Faculty we identified the centrality of learning and the critical importance of research in our work as a practice-oriented, research-based academic Faculty. The Faculty offers masters degrees in Education, Adult Education, Indigenous Studies, e-Learning, Applied Linguistics and TESOL. The two Master of Education courses enable students to tailor their degree by choosing up to five electives from a wide range of options. The specialised Masters of Arts courses are comprised of four “major” subjects and two electives. There is also a generic MA with up to 6 electives.

Q. What are the distinguishing delivery features of the Masters degrees?

 A. One of the distinguishing features of the UTS:Education masters courses is the offering of subjects in both weekly, face-to-face mode and in “blended mode”. Blended offerings involve a mix of e-learning and two or three extended face-to-face sessions. Blended offerings are also available in “fully” distance mode to accommodate students who live in remote areas. Many of our distance students live overseas and access their masters course via distance education and UTS Online.

 Q. What kind of people doing an education Masters degree at UTS?

 A. Most of our postgraduate students are entering the course as mature aged students from many different backgrounds, including: school and TAFE teachers and administrators, HRD and learning and development managers, researchers, educators in community and government organizations, and teachers and managers in specialist fields such as TESOL, Applied Linguistics and e-Learning. As such, we have designed our timetable to suit busy working people. Our face-to-face classes are held on weeknights from 5pm onwards, some are in weekend block mode, some through UTS:Online, and 4 of the Masters are also offered completely by distance education.

Q. What has been your own education career path and what would you recommend to those wanting to further their career in education?

 A. I started teaching in the early 1980s and taught in three high schools. In the last of these schools I was the assistant principal. I really enjoyed this time and the opportunity to work with young people and with other teachers and to make school a great experience for kids. Many teachers talk about how they were inspired by a teacher in their love of literature, or maths, or art and this was true for me as well.

 I also enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships with other teachers and working with like-minded people on projects – excursions, musical productions, mock trial teams, debating groups and sports coaching. Some of these projects involved whole-school curriculum reform and initiatives to get parents involved in meaningful ways in the school. It was through these projects that I began attending conferences to learn more about school improvement, and in turn this led to masters and the doctoral study in educational leadership. I have been working now for over 10 years in Universities and I still enjoy teaching and being a member of a team of colleagues who are committed to improving teaching and learning through research, curriculum innovation and so forth. My current position is Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Education.

 I think that education can be a wonderful career. Education is one of the few professions that can transform society and transform individual’s lives. In this sense it is profound.

Q. Where can interested people find out more about these courses?

A. Course information about our Masters degrees is available on this website. We will also be holding various information events throughout the year where prospective students can hear a course presentation and speak with academic staff - Course Information Events