ED2BPD-Professional Development 2

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Mr William Bailey-Watson

Email: w.baileywatson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The course will begin with a series of lectures looking at the theory and research underpinning professional development in a range of educational institutions. Students will examine a number of key themes, introducing them to teamwork and professionalism, communication and networking, developing the skills of a reflective practitioner, staff support and engagement with learners. Each student will then arrange and carry out a placement in an educational institution of their choosing. 

Aims:

The aim is for students to critically reflect upon their extended placement in a professional education institution, drawing upon literature, research, observations, conversations, and day-to-day experiences, in order to make tentative conclusions about their own professional development.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that students will be able to:

• Explain key principles and theory behind different aspects of professional development, with specific reference to an educational institution.


• Organise and complete a work placement in an educational institution, demonstrating effective management of their work schedule and fulfilment of the employer’s requirements.


• Critically reflect on their experiences during the work placement, with a view to making conclusions about effective practice and how they might improve their own practice in the future.


• Communicate their findings effectively through a range of formative and summative assessments.

Additional outcomes:

Furthermore, it is hoped, although not assessed, that students will:

• Reflect upon possible employment routes for the future.


• Consolidate and strengthen understanding of other educational issues, studied in different modules during Parts 1 and 2.


• Develop networking strategies, perhaps using social media as an effective tool for widening their impact.

Outline content:

Term 2 will consist of six different lectures, which will be focused at making the placement as meaningful as possible. The broad themes of the lectures will be:

• Introduction to the module and being a critically reflective practitioner


• Engaging with learners in an educational institution


• Communicating and networking in an educational institution


• Staff development and support in an educational institution


• Team work in an educational institution


• Professionalism in an educational institution

There will also be opportunities to discuss individual placements and attend talks from local professionals currently employed in educational institutions. During this term, students will arrange their own Term 3 placements, in consultation with the Placement Development Officer.

The Term 3 placement will last for four weeks, and students are required to attend for three full days in each of those weeks. At the end of this placement, students will present their findings and experiences.

 

Global context:

Some settings will be following theoretical or pedagogical principles which accommodate a global perspective. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The initial group sessions which explore research and theory in relation to specific areas of professional development will be lectures but there will be a heavy emphasis on discussion and problem solving, as well as opportunities to look forwards to their placement.

A key learning method will be the requirement for students to keep a journal during the placement, which they will send to the Module Tutor during the second week and they will receive pointers, advice and things to think about for the remainder of their placement. During the placement and before they leave, the students will be expected to have meetings/discussions with a ‘point of contact’ at their placement which will feed into their reflections.

After the placement, to help consolidate their reflections, the students will share their experiences and findings with their peers in small groups so they are exposed to range of different experiences.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		12	4
Seminars			4
Project Supervision		2
Practicals classes and workshops		4
Placement			84
Guided independent study:		70	20
Total hours by term		88	112
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Number and length of assignments and in-class tests, and submission date for each assignment (expressed as a week of a specific Term):

1 reflective essay 3000 words 

Formative assessment methods:

Before the placement, students will all have the chance to speak to the Module Tutor on an individual basis and during the placement, the Module Tutor will offer feedback on their reflective journals. Finally, after the placements, students will present their experiences to their peers, who can question them and offer informal feedback, prior to the written assignment being submitted.

Penalties for late submission:

Following standard UoR policy. The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission during the summer resit period

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books - The essential text books for this module can be seen on the online reading list.  A selection of these texts are available either in the library or through access to UoR online resources. Alternatively, you may be able to source reading materials through a number of online retailers where they may be obtained at a lower cost than the publisher’s recommended price.

Travel, accommodation and subsistence - Students are expected to identify their own placement and will be liable for the travel costs to attend daily for four weeks. Costs will therefore vary according to the location of the placement.

Last updated: 8 April 2019