Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module EDUC31820: Curriculum Development in Practice (CDP)

Department: Education

EDUC31820: Curriculum Development in Practice (CDP)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • A critical understanding of the key issues related to curriculum development related to professional practice.

Content

  • This module offers an opportunity for students to reflect on professional practice in their chosen subject, from the perspective of the curriculum. It supports them in narrowing the gap between practice and research, connecting knowledge producers and users, and viewing education as transformation rather than reproduction. This module develops an understanding of the different layers of meaning of the term curriculum. This is to ensure that students are prepared to keep up with changing requirements of pupils and society through the lens of curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired:
  • an understanding of the educational ideas and philosophies relevant to Professional Standards in education;
  • an understanding of the factors which affect teaching and learning in the classroom;
  • a broad understanding of research methods and their application to education matters.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired:
  • the ability to analyse and evaluate educational research, and the ideas deriving from this research, applied in different contexts;
  • the ability to identify and solve problems in specific educational contexts;
  • the ability to identify the competencies required to be an effective classroom practitioner.
Key Skills:
  • Through their critical discussion and evidence portfolio students will demonstrate the ability to:
  • communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing;
  • learn independently;
  • reflect on their developing practice;
  • identify key developmental issues for their own practice through self-evaluation;
  • collect and organise evidence related to professional practice in an effective way;
  • apply their subject and pedagogical skills, knowledge and understanding, effectively and reflectively / reflexively in a contemporary school context.
  • engage in collaborative learning opportunities in their specialist professional field in education;
  • reflect on educational research literature and to use this in the writing of academic assignments.

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

  • This module will be taught via an intensive programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
  • Learning will be developed through discussion, reading, reflections on related theories and professional practice, the creation of a professional portfolio and academic writing, supported by tutors and peers.
  • Assessment will provide the opportunity for students to present the extent to which they have understood and are able to engage with the themes and issues covered under the aims of the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lecture 11 1 hour 11
Seminar 22 1 hour 22
Tutorial 3 1 hour 3
Preparation and Reading 164
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assessment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Critical discussion 2500 words 60% Yes
Annotated evidence portfolio 1500 words or equivalent 40% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Preliminary summary and outline of the assignment above, with bibliography on reflective practice and professional development to indicate reading undertaken.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University