Max
Pownall

Why NTU?

Why did you choose to study a postgraduate degree in Education?

"I chose to study MA Education because I wanted to widen my pedagogical understanding. Having been a Product Designer for 10 years I had the technical knowledge but felt I was missing the wider educational context. After completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) at NTU I want to further build on that knowledge to Masters level."

Why did you choose the MA Education (part-time) course at NTU? 

"I chose this course because I am employed by NTU and I saw it as a good opportunity to progress my career within Higher Education. I also had conversations with the course leader surrounding the issues within Secondary D&T Education and thought the course would help in that area."

What’s your experience been like of your course so far?

"My experience of the course overall has been extremely positive. Whilst it's not an easy task to complete an MA part-time alongside a Senior Lecturer role, it has been extremely rewarding and has actively improved my practice.

The highlights have definitely been meeting the other students on the course, and collaborating with them on external projects. The course attracts such a diverse selection of students, it's great to get an insight into all the aspects of teaching.

I also really enjoyed the Social Justice module, as it got me to question my own place within society and education, and challenged me to think of ways I can help and change the cultural hegemony within my discipline."

Have you been involved in any projects or extra-curricular activities that have supplemented your studies run through NTU?

"I have been involved in a number of self-initiated projects off the back of the course. I ran a project with some of our first-year Design students and a fellow student on the course who was an Educator within a Prison. We tasked the students with designing for prisoners within their cells to help encourage students' ideas of empathy.

Also as part of my Dissertation project, I have been actively involved with a local primary school, looking at Creativity and inspiring the Designers of the future.

Both of these projects would not have happened if it wasn’t for the connections I made on the course with students and tutors."

What does Social Sciences mean to you?

"To me, Social Science means exploring what it is to be human and how we can use those ideas to make the world a better, more considerate place."

Support

What do you think of the support available from tutors and staff at NTU? 

"The tutors on the course are passionate, engaged and eager to help. Being part-time you are not as integrated within the University as a full time learner, so it could be easy to feel left out or overwhelmed. The tutors and staff of the course do their best to support you as much as they can."

Outside of the Lecture Theatre

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

"Being on-site with the other part-time students was the best way to make friends. It was so interesting to learn about their experiences and motivations for being on the course.

The most important thing you can do is to be an active participant and work hard to build those connections with your cohort yourself."

The Next Steps

What’s next for you after NTU?

"Continuing to work at NTU and develop my academic career. Using the knowledge I’ve gained on the course I have been awarded the role of Course Leader within my department, so I will use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained to improve our course and its students ."

How is NTU helping you to achieve your career goals?

"NTU is helping me to achieve my career goals by providing a space for me to develop my own pedagogy within a supportive structure, that actively encourages you to do your best, and push the boundaries of knowledge. It is the tutors who really make the course, with their knowledge and passion helping me to deliver my best."