ED1BDE-Discovering Education: An exploration of Key Educational Issues

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr David Dobraszczyk
Email: d.dobraszczyk@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to provide students with an introduction and overview of key philosophical, social, cultural and political debates within education. Students of educational studies should be familiar with different issues, controversies and debates concerning education and learning and to be articulate in contributing to these debates. Through discussion, this module aims to develop students' engagement as debaters with the aim to create awareness of current topics, legislation and theory as well as to develop students’ ability to evaluate and take part in discussions of educational issues. Further, the module also aims to increase students’ confidence in researching and identifying appropriate sources and material when discussing educational issues.

Aims:

• To familiarise students with issues around educational studies


• To develop a critical understanding of fundamental educational issues;


• To critically examine different educational issues and from different perspectives


• To develop confidence with researching and discussing educational issues as well as sources and material

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Develop skills in examining and evaluating a range of contemporary and controversial issues in education


• Articulate and justify an informed point of view on educational issues through taking part in patchwork and discussions


• Draw reflectively and critically upon own educational experience and literature about the nature of education


• Develop a range of skills in accessing material and information from a range of sources relating to the academic study of educational issues

Additional outcomes:

• Develop academic writing, critical thinking and evaluation skills


• Develop skills of collaboration


• Produce well-structured and well-argued essay

Outline content:

• Engaging in critical thinking skills within education


• Explore education as a concept

Global context:

Education will be explored within an international context.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, discussion groups, small group tasks and online contributions

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16	14
Tutorials	4	4
External visits	7	7
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30	15
Advance preparation for classes	30	15
Preparation for presentations		5
Completion of formative assessment tasks	13
Essay preparation		40
Total hours by term	100	100	0
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:

Students will produce 2500-word patchwork text.

Formative assessment methods:

There will be regular opportunities for formative assessment and feedback as part of developing the patchwork text.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission during the summer resit period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023