Steve Wheeler

Steve Wheeler graduated from MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education in 2019. Here he talks about his study experience as mature student and how the courses aided his career development.

On choosing my course

The course had an even balance of theory and practice. The university has an excellent reputation, resources, and teaching staff. I chose the 3-year distance learning mode of delivery as it enabled me to study alongside my job as an FE lecturer.

On my career

I knew I wanted to go into teaching from my mid-20s. I did a PGCE at MMU in my late 20s but the MA DTCE has given me a much deeper interest in and understanding of the process of learning and its potential to change lives, regardless of the subject. This has given me an appreciation of the value and importance of education, something that I had some intuition of but now deeply believe. It has also helped me realise how much there is still to be discovered about the educational process and the human mind it aims to develop. This has led me to continue studying over the past two years since graduation, putting into practice one of the central lessons I learned - that the best education is one that continues for life beyond the institutions that helped form and guide you.

I now work as a lecturer and tutor on the level 2 and 3 BTEC Diploma in Creative Media Practice which has pathways in animation, games design, digital content creation and film.

On how the course set me up for my career path

I did the MA as a mature student at the age of 48 and had already been teaching for 20 years. The course has enabled me to take a more questioning approach to my own delivery as a teacher and the confidence to make my own decisions about which parts of the curriculum are most important and build around those, always returning to the question – What type of classroom environment and delivery serves the students best? Also, more confidence to listen to the students above all and allow them to have an input, thinking reflectively and changing things if they’re not working.

On my learnings

An interest in and appreciation of research. Learning to see an argument from different points of view. An understanding of how important facts, information and knowledge are and how the use of sources that can be checked are now more important than ever and the essential part institutions such as universities can play in supporting and upholding that process.

On my advice for prospective students

If you work in, are interested in working in, or are just interested in education then this course will give you a balanced introduction to education theory, practice and contemporary debates, and the rapidly expanding area of education technology alongside a solid grounding in research methods and their application. The course is well structured and values your own experience, giving you the opportunity to contribute to debates and exposing you to diverse experiences and opinions from a wide cohort of international students. The teaching and support staff always have time to answer questions and offer helpful advice.