ED2BDE-Critiquing Education: where theory meets the professional space

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:
Placement opportunity: Micro placement
Current from: 2023/4

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module comprises 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:

The module will consist of a series of themed sessions, which will focus on making the placement as meaningful as possible. The broad themes of the lectures will include being a critically reflective practitioner, engaging with learners, communication and networking in an educational institution, staff development, team work in an educational institution, and professionalism.

In addition to the taught sessions, students will have arrange their own placement with support from the Placement Coordinator and will have opportunities to engage with a variety of education professionals. 

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 thi ngs 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
Work-based learning		42	42
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		20	10
Wider reading (directed)		20
Advance preparation for classes		15
Completion of formative assessment tasks		5
Essay preparation		10	10
Total hours by term	0	130	70
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:

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:

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):

1) 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.

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) 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: 30 March 2023