EDM114: Independent Study in Education

Module code: EDM114

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Catherine Tissot, email: c.tissot@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module gives students the opportunity to work independently of taught content, critically investigating an aspect of teaching and learning in the academic literature, and evaluating practice in the light of this understanding. Any aspect of teaching and learning may be chosen, but it is expected that students can justify their choice with reference to topicality, their teaching/training environment’s needs or their own practice.

This is a library based assignment. Students will research their chosen topic showing an awareness of different views in the literature. They will be expected to use a clear framework to develop an argument and relate theory to practice in the Discussion with reference to their own context or experience. This will develop students’ awareness of the theoretical ideas and methodological strategies appropriate to their field of research, and develop analytical and critical writing skills.

The module aims to support students in their development of independent research skills: finding appropriate literature, reviewing it critically and analytically and writing at a high academic standard while providing the opportunity to acquire deeper knowledge in a field of study that is of interest to them.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify, organise and manage an achievable research idea
2. Critically evaluate relevant literature to form the basis of the study
3. Select and justify theoretical approaches
4. Write an effectively organised paper with a cogent argument, demonstrating critical analysis of evidence to support judgements and using proper referencing conventions
5. Apply the conventions of academic writing to devise and sustain a relevant, systematic argument
6. Demonstrate independent study skills

Module content

• Initial group tutorial to define field of study, build a literature review and formulate key questions
• Asynchronous online presentations
• Independent study
• Further individual tutorials/feedback as research progresses

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This an a-sychronous, independent study module which uses a mixture of live online tutorials, a- synchronous online self-study material, and 1-1 feedback on draft work.

Study hours

At least 15 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 50% 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.

Planning for assessment- this is marked and discussed during our tutorials.

Reassessment

Additional costs