Becoming a Music Technology Teacher

Hey all,

I'm interested in teaching Music Technology. I studied the subject at A-Level and went on toobtain a first in Audio and Music Technology (in 2015). I'm really passionate about the subject and will talk anybody's head off about the subject given half the chance. I've been looking online and other then becoming generally confused about which way to go with this, i'm also struggling to find a provider who actuals covers Music Technology rather then just music (the subjects aren't as similar as they may sound).

Failing this, I was wondering if i'd have any luck applying to become a media/creative media teacher due to my professional experience. However, Music Technology is my aim.

Does anybody have any knowledge on this subject/any advice? I'm confused about the application process in general and how to best start my application/where to apply so any advice in general would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
George

I can't help with the music technology-related aspects, but I can advise on the application process itself. UCAS opens for applications circa 25th October, based on previous years. The basics of what you need are a personal statement, details of what your qualifications are, a completed work experience section (for listing your school experience and any other voluntary roles or jobs), and two referees (usually one academic and one from school experience). Getting school experience is the first step and then it's pretty much just about reflecting on that/other experiences throughout your personal statement and eventual interviews.

You get three choices for Apply 1 - these can be any from university-led PGCEs, Schools Direct, or SCITT, and you can do all one type or mix it up and so on. All three routes involve at least 120 days in school, but uni-led PGCEs have a bit more time in uni before you start in classrooms, Schools Direct are essentially more schools-based, and SCITTs are even more schools-based (with maybe a handful of days elsewhere throughout the entire year) but often lack the PGCE qualification.

If you don't get any offers from Apply 1, you can use Apply 2, which is adding one more choice at a time until you get an offer. There's no formal application deadline until late September 2019 - instead it's when courses are full (which could be as close as December for smaller courses) or when the provider-set deadline has passed.

In terms of Media, be aware that this subject alone wouldn't necessarily fill a teacher's timetable. English teachers often simply cover Media, or Media teachers end up taking on other subjects as well - I know one Media teacher who was placed in ICT/computer programming, so had to learn the course each week before the classes did.

Thank you very much!!
You've massively helped with my understanding of the process because although i'd heard a few things hear and there, I had no clarity.

From the sounds of it, I think i'm most interested in going down the PGCE route as I think it would be good to obtain the qualification.

Also, that's a good point about the media subject not covering a timetable alone- I had a photography teacher who would also teach media but it never crossed my mind until you mentioned it. That's definitely something i'll need to be aware of however i'm pretty open to teaching subjects vaguely surrounding the area/technology based anyway.

Thanks again!

i'm also struggling to find a provider who actuals covers Music Technology rather then just music (the subjects aren't as similar as they may sound).

Failing this, I was wondering if i'd have any luck applying to become a media/creative media teacher due to my professional experience. However, Music Technology is my aim.

Would you be looking to teach mostly in post compulsory education? If so, you can do a PGCE for post compulsory education in almost any subject, the specialisms aren't listed as they are with the Secondary PGCE.

If not, you could contact some training providers and see what they advise.

Hi, thanks for your response.

I didn't think about it falling under post compulsory education but yes, I believe It would be with my subject. I studied it at Sixth Form and above so I believe this would be the best way to progress.

I'll also contact the training providers as you said because it'll be good to know if this course/something similar can be a match for me at a compulsory education level.

Thanks again, this is definitely a push in the right direction.

You are probably struggling because there is not really such a thing as a music technology teacher. The closest you might get is music teacher but you would be required to teach the whole music syllabus. As for creative media - we teach that in our school. It is taught as a computing option and taught by computing teachers.

I'm glad I could help. I think a post compulsory PGCE may be the way to go- I'd imagine most job opportunities would be in post-16 settings. I'm sure training providers would be able to advise you further, though.

Yes i'll definitely look into this further. I should've made the link myself really when I was unable to find the training course for compulsory education but I was oblivious to this for some reason haha.

Hi, thanks for the response.

Maybe it's like what the previous comment said- it's more readily available within post compulsory education as i've met many music technology tutors who just do music tech. I've also met media teachers who specialise in photography and teach media as well so they're focusing more on their area of expertise.

Sadly, music is a completely different discipline to music tech so requires a different skill set but I may still need to explore this possibility depending on how things go as I have some experience within music as a subject but perhaps would need to take the top upon course (I forget what it's called).

Why don't you get a job and keep music tech as your hobby / passion. Teaching can be a real passion killer when you have to do it day in-day out.

I am a teacher in music technology. I am currently studying for the diploma in education and training level 5 which will lead to a QTLS qualification. I would advise doing music exams as well. The music and music technology courses are being merged into one and are no longer separate.

Apologies for the delay in my response, not been on in a while.

Interesting to know they're merging the two courses together- although in certain aspects it makes sense, in others, i'm not so sure. How do you find teaching Music Technology?
Thanks for the heads up and good luck with the training!

HiI am head of music technology at a secondary school in London. I previously taught in further and higher education. I have a PGCE postcompulsory QTLS and regretted that as although you can teach in secondary with it schools are biased. Since then my school put me through schools direct route to PGCE secondary music with qts and nqt year. I teach 4 ks4 and two ks5 classes. The rest is ks3 music. Without music you will be limited to teaching in colleges. There are very few jobs though and the pay is not as good. You can still teach in colleges with PGCE secondary so I would suggest that. But you have to train as a music teacher. Or do a masters and then stay in higher education. If you ever want to teach abroad don’t do the post compulsory route. Tbh it’s not worth it at all. Do the secondary music PGCE. Also I personally would look at schools direct. You may not have to pay. There are rare salaried routes.

HE tends to not be so well paid and often job security is less good than in a school.

Good luck whatever you decide