Student Spotlight - Doleen Beagent
If you’re looking for a PgCert Teaching Qualification Further Education, our one-year part-time online programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to support your registration with the General Teaching Council of Scotland as a lecturer. We chatted to one of our current students to see how she was finding the course.
Can you introduce yourself?
Doleen Beagent and I am from Inverness.
Where do you currently work?
NHS Highland as a Practice Development Coordinator.
You are currently doing the PgCert Teaching Qualification Further Education. Why did you decide to do this qualification and why did you choose to do it at UHI Perth?
I looked into a variety of HEI’s which provided the TQFE programme, but following a really helpful conversation with Katrina MacIntyre, I felt that UHI Perth would be the best fit for me. Katrina was so helpful, despite being accepted on to the course, she suggested a course that may have been more relevant to my role. I was grateful of this advice, to which I followed up, but felt that the TQFE course was right for me.
This is a fully online programme. How have you been finding this method of study? Have your lecturers been supportive?
It has been a very well-structured programme; I have found navigating through Brightspace easy, having the activities to work through in advance is really helpful. The activities are so varied, it is a great way to keep your mind active rather than just constantly reading books and articles. We have been kept up to date regularly by the TQFE team and the lecturers - in particular, Judith Munro has been incredibly helpful. Judith is really approachable, kind, and so very helpful during our fortnightly webinars - thank you, Judith.
Though formative and summative assessments are daunting when you haven’t studied for many years, the way they are structured, again, makes you think differently and keeps you engaged, which I appreciated.
Has there been any standout/memorable moments from your course so far?
Passing both summative assessments and thinking I hadn’t!!
What knowledge, skills and experience have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
I have grown in confidence, knowing that I am good at teaching, having received such positive feedback. I now recognise that learners learn differently and that adapting teaching to the needs of every individual is really important. I will now integrate critical thinking during my teaching sessions. I still have a few months to go, so I am sure I will learn much more.
Are you enjoying studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
Yes, it is nice to have connected with so many people from a variety of professions. It is refreshing to see that you are not alone in your fear of post graduate studies!!
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your studies?
I enjoy cold water swimming, body-balance, and listening to music.
What are your future career plans once you finish this qualification?
I am not sure of what the future holds, but I know I will utilise all I have learnt from the TQFE programme.
And finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
Do it!
