ED2BED: Critiquing Education: Where Theory Meets Practice

Module code: ED2BED

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 40

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr David Dobraszczyk, email: d.dobraszczyk@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Maria Kambouri, email: m.kambouri@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Micro placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module comprises a series of themed sessions looking at the theory and research underpinning professional development in a range of educational institutions. The themed sessions are supplemented by teaching on the principles and practices of educational research. In combination, the sessions challenge students to reflect on the practical and conceptual aspects of being and becoming an educator.  

Students 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 then arranges and carry out a placement in an educational institution of their choosing, and plans an educational research project related to a topic of their choice.  

The aim is for students to critically reflect upon their extended placement, drawing upon literature, research, observations, conversations, and day-to-day experiences, in order to make tentative conclusions about their own professional development and their next steps in becoming an educator. Additionally, students explore a specific topic of interest through their educational research projects in order to develop their investigative skills and dispositions ahead of the dissertation in part 3. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Explain key principles and theory behind different aspects of professional development, with specific reference to an educational institution while being reflective, research informed, ethical and critical thinkers, able to apply their knowledge in different educational contexts. 
2. Organise and complete a work placement in an educational institution, demonstrating effective management of their work schedule and fulfilment of the employer’s requirements. 
3. 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. 
4. Communicate their findings effectively through a range of formative and summative assessments. 

Module content

Semester 1 focuses on introducing students to  themed sessions and to key aspects of educational research. During this part of the module, students develop their project proposal. Alongside this, students will be in the process of completing their placement, which can be between summer and Semesters 2. Based on their experiences on placement, and with reference to their project plan, students complete the module by presenting their learning and reflections on their own professional development.  

There will also be opportunities to discuss individual placements with staff, previous students and other local professionals.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The initial group sessions explore research and theory in relation to specific areas of professional development. There will be a heavy emphasis on discussion and problem solving, as well as opportunities to reflect on placement experiences.  

Study hours

At least 18 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• A draft sample of the project plan 
• An initial draft of the outline of the presentation content 

Reassessment

Additional costs