EDMAPI: Introduction to Academic Practice

Module code: EDMAPI

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Joanna Cordy, email: j.cordy@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have met the eligibility requirements and have agreement from your Heads of School, including having sufficient teaching hours, in order to meet the requirements for Descriptor 1 (Advance HE PSF 2023). (Open)

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: 13 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an overview of teaching and supporting learning in higher education. It aims to support students in developing effective and reflective approaches to professional practice in their contexts.

It enables students to provide evidence of achievement at Descriptor 1 of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF) through demonstrating an understanding of specific aspects of effective teaching, learning and support methods.

Through engaging with the course content, students will be encouraged to apply and share their knowledge and understanding of theory and practice, and to reflect on their practice as appropriate.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Design effective, engaging and inclusive sessions which draw on the principles of good pedagogic practice
2. Apply pedagogic theory and literature to evidence the rationale for design at the level of the session
3. Critically evaluate and develop their teaching practice through self-reflection and in response to feedback
4. Evidence the use and application of relevant Dimensions of the PSF within your practice (meeting D1.1, 1.2 and 1.3) 

Module content

The content covered in the module will allow students to:

• To develop an understanding of how students learn
• To introduce good practice in the main aspects of designing and planning sessions
• To develop your practical skills as a teacher and/or supporter of learning
• To introduce good practice in the main aspects of evaluating and assessing learning
• To introduce pedagogic theory and understand how it applies in practice
• To develop awareness of approaches to student support and guidance, and the existing expertise and support systems available
• To encourage a reflective approach to professional development
• To provide opportunities to engage with the UK Professional Standards Framework at Descriptor 1
• Share experiences and network with colleagues across the University

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Contact time is primarily through two intensive blocks of face-to-face and online workshops. The sessions are underpinned by pedagogic theory and will include a balance of input, discussion and practical activities. They are interactive in nature and build upon students’ prior knowledge. Students will experience first-hand some of the approaches they are considering for their own students.

Issues involved in discipline-specific teaching/support roles are considered through group discussion, individual reflective tasks and the assessment task. Students are also supported through the module by individual tutorials with a discipline-specific mentor. There will be an opportunity to gain feedback from others through a micro-teach activity.

Study hours

At least 20 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

This module is marked on a pass/fail basis. Students must pass each item of assessment to pass the 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.

Feedback from micro-teach, feedback from peer observation by mentor, peer review buddy scheme, reflective writing seminar

Reassessment

Additional costs