If you know me, you know that I don't like taking a long time to put my plans into action. Usually I get an idea and then set off madcapped to fulfil it - at least until I get bored, or distracted with something else. You'll be pleased then to know that nothing has changed.
A couple of days ago, Andrew made the comment that if I'm keen to homeschool our kids, then it would be advantageous for me to study towards a teaching degree. Today I'm enrolled in my first subject in a Bachelor of Education [Primary]. I'm thinking that unlike the past 3 degrees that I've enrolled in, I may just finish this one. Maybe.
Here's the low-down. I'm studying through Open Universities Australia, a Bachelor of Education [Primary] delivered by Curtain University. It is all delivered online with the exception of the teaching pracs that I will have to do. I'm planning on completing a minimum of 4 subjects per year, which would see the degree finished in about 8 years. If I get more done in a year, then that would be even better.
There is some irony [as I understand irony] in being reticent to send my kids to school, yet at the same time training to teach in such a school. I figure that you've got to know the enemy [joke!]. I think that if I'm going to home educate, then the more that I understand about education, numeracy and literacy the better. I also think that it is smart to have qualifications that can be used in case of emergency - for example, if Andrew for some unknown reason was unable to work, or if we were in a difficult financial situation. Also, once our kids have grown, I'll have a good amount of working years left in me anyway and some training would be advantageous. In addition to this, teaching goes well with my previous study in Disability Services. The two qualifications will give me many possible areas of paid or volunteer work.
The guy on the phone at OU said that many SAHMs* are choosing to study this way.I think its a great example to set to my kids that I value learning and that if you don't know what to do with your life at 18, not all is lost. There is still plenty of opportunity, even for a serial drop-out like me.
*SAHM = Stay-At-Home-Mum
Yay for you. Life continues. And making a decision doesn't mean you have to stick with it forever in all cases. Hope you find all the teaching study fascinating.
ReplyDeleteTab, I enrolled in teaching as well, but then I unenrolled for this semester because I didn't want to have to do the prac and leave Arty to be babysat. How are you getting around the prac?
ReplyDeleteErm, there is no prac in this subject. I'm only doing 1 subject at a time, and prac I won't have to worry about until 2nd year subjects which will really be a few years off for me. I will have to work something out though when I get up to that, not sure what yet.
ReplyDeleteYay for study!
ReplyDeleteLuke is really keen for me to home school our kids when we eventually have them and their old enough for school. Have you heard of unschooling? It's a really interesting concept.
And it's true, teaching is a good backup career- that's why I did it!
Talia, I really do like the idea of unschooling - though with a loose hidden framework. I think there are some kids who will need more obvious schooling but it is pretty exciting.
ReplyDelete