Module EDUC43230: Self Directed Study - Subject Specific Issues in School-Based Education

Department: Education

EDUC43230: Self Directed Study - Subject Specific Issues in School-Based Education

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enable PGCE students to undertake a detailed analysis of educational research specific to the themes covered by the module.
• To enable students to undertake a small scale project related to an issue of professional interest by selecting appropriate research methods, and to deepen their knowledge and understanding of relevant educational topics.
• To explore different types of educational research and the various underpinning philosophical approaches.

Content

• Writing the assignment is part of the process of sense-making about school practice, conducting an empirical school-based small-scale project. It aims to generate your insights into realities of everyday teaching and learning in current schools, and to have general relevance and usefulness to the research field beyond the topic you explore and the data you present and discuss. The chosen theory/theme is subject to different ‘interpretations’ in original and creative ways within the context, i.e. your placement. This module inspires a process of understanding and translating.

Learning Outcomes

• LO1 to demonstrate a critical in-depth understanding of the educational ideas and philosophies relevant to Professional Teaching Standards as the foundation of subsequent professional development as pre-service teachers.
• LO2 to demonstrate a critical understanding of the factors which affect teaching and learning across a range of generic educational issues of contemporary significance.
• LO3 to demonstrate a broad understanding of a range of research methods and their application to education matters.

• LO4 the ability to analyse and evaluate educational research, and the ideas deriving from this research, applied in different contexts.
• LO5 the ability to identify and solve problems in specific educational contexts.
• LO6 undertake a critical and enquiry-based approach to their professional practice so that it continuously impacts effectively on the outcomes for children and young people.

• LO7 to engage in collaborative learning opportunities in their specialist professional field of education and through collaboration engage in planning for their own further professional development.
• LO8 to plan, conduct and evaluate small-scale academic emperical research.
• LO9 to reflect on a range of 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

• Lectures around a number of specific themes, issues and approaches to small scale educational research with a specific focus on case studies. Group work activity will facilitate a more in-depth student engagement with those themes, issues and approaches, through directed readings and tutorial tasks. The format of lecture and in particular group work exercise are appropriate in enabling student to critically discuss educational research. Assessment in the form of a written assignment will provide the opportunity for students to present the extent to which they have understood and are able to engage critically with the themes and issues covered under the aims of the module. It should be noted that both summative assessment components must be passed in order to pass the module overall.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Preliminary summary and outline of small-scale research study and the ethics consideration, with additional critical reference list to indicate reading undertaken. A session to discuss the ethics application formative feedback will also be scheduled.

■ 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