The Diploma syllabus
The revised Diploma syllabus has been designed to help teachers (candidates) develop their professional thinking and practice, and enhance the quality of teaching and learning. It is for practising teachers, focusing on the development of knowledge, skills and understanding in the key aspects of teaching and learning. It is inclusive and relevant to all teaching and learning contexts: from primary and secondary general education, to vocational education and training, and to further, adult and higher education. It helps candidates to explore and apply new ideas in their own context, integrate new approaches in their own practice, and demonstrate their professional development as reflective practitioners.
Two essential principles underpin the design of the qualification: effective teaching and effective professional development. The programme involves a spiral of professional learning, each stage being a cycle of experiential learning and reflective practice following on from the previous cycle and leading on to the next. Areas of learning are revisited systematically within the programme so that the candidate can engage with these in more depth and detail, and acquire related knowledge and skills.
The spiral of professional learning in a Cambridge PDQ programme depends particularly on three processes:
• observation
• reflection
• learning with and from mentors.
These processes work together. It is crucial that candidates receive feedback to inform their continuous reflection on their learning experiences. Observation and reflection are much more effective with the support of a mentor.
The mentor develops a learning relationship with the candidate, supporting them during their work-based learning to make the most of the learning experience and to achieve the Cambridge qualification. The mentor understands the essential principles of the Cambridge PDQ, and provides helpful advice to their candidate, sharing their own experiences and knowledge.
- Teacher: Maria Karla Rodriguez de la Cuesta
