Module EDUC1511: Contemporary Issues and Evidence in Education

Department: Education

EDUC1511: Contemporary Issues and Evidence in Education

Tied To

• X1C8: Education Studies - Psychology
• X1F8: Education Studies - Geography
• X305: Education Studies
• XL33: Education Studies - Sociology

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To introduce students to a range of contemporary issues in education and the nature and scope of the supporting evidence.

Content

• The students will be introduced to contemporary debates in education led by an expert in that area. Current topics may include aspects of the curriculum, structures and systems.
• Curriculum and Learning: How should we teach reading (phonics)? What type of curriculum should be studied at school? What is the value of sex and relationships education? Is technology worth the investment?
• Society and Identity: Do girls really do better than boys at school? How can education work within a global world? Can education create social justice?
• Structures and Systems: Should we have selective schools? Shoudl there be safe spaces at university? How valuable is student voice? Should politicians have a say in education?

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of contemporary issues in education.
• Students will develop an understanding of how evidence can be used to support theory and practices in education.
• Students will develop an understanding of what counts as evidence in education.

• Students will be introduced to and learn to use appropriate frameworks for the evaluation of evidence in education.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing on issues related to evidence and issues in education.

• Students will learn to use and evaluate a range of sources - including academic and non-academic sources.
• Students will develop the ability to evaluate a theory or idea in education.
• Students will develop the ability to construct and present written and oral arguments.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• A one hour introductory lecture
• 10 x 2 hour workshops: these will introduce students to a contemporary issue in education and will be facilitated by experts in the field from the School of Education. Each workshop will be supported by preparatory and follow-up readings and a learning task that students will do in preparation for the associated seminar.
• 10 x 1 hour seminars: these will offer students an opportunity to discuss the issues introduced in the workshops and the associated follow-up reading and task. These will also introduce the induct students into the academic community, learning about study skills, critical thinking skills and essay preparation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Formative 1: write the introductory paragraph to your essay outlining the key arguments you will make and how the work will be structured. In addition include a list of 5 sources that you will use in your essay with a sentence explaining why they are useful. Formative 2: Identify two artifacts one from the media and one academic source and submit max 200 words for each artifact showing how they are using evidence to support the discussion of the issue - this could be done as a presentation rather than a written formative.