Education, Teaching and Learning

Core modules:

Education, Teaching and Learning

This module will provide you with a solid grounding in the general principles of pedagogy, from a range of different theoretical perspectives, and will explore key topics such as aspects of teaching, planning, assessment, policy, classroom management, special educational needs, learner motivation and learner autonomy. Through guided reading, structured discussions and the use of other online materials, you will explore educational practice and issues particularly related to both your context and your teaching subject, comparing and contrasting your own experiences with those of other course participants and the literature, leading to critical reflection on yourself as an educational practitioner, and, ultimately, to the development of new educational practice.

30 credits

Practice-based Inquiry

This module provides you with the opportunity to devise and carry out a small scale research study on a topic relevant to your own practice. Supported by guided readings and online discussions surrounding research methods, methodology, ethics and the evaluation and writing up of research data, you will be able to reflect on your practice through the process of original research, culminating in a research report. The module gives you the opportunity to explore opportunities for change in your own context, either at classroom or institutional level, or, in some cases, going beyond, enabling you to base innovation on reading, research, and reflection.

30 credits

Dissertation

In this module, you will be supported in planning and carrying out a piece of research, usually in your own professional context, and in writing a dissertation which is 12,000-16,000 words in length. Your research is intended to enhance your understanding of your own professional practice, and potentially improves this. An explicit focus will be on research as a catalyst of change, thus, dissemination at appropriate levels will be explored. Students will study a dissertation of their choice that relates to their programme and staff expertise.

60 credits

Optional modules - two from:

Critical Reflection on Professional Development

In this module, you will compile a portfolio, collecting, selecting and reflecting on evidence of professional development activity. You will have tutorial support to identify your professional development needs and aspirations and to reflect critically on the impact of professional development activities both on yourself and on your learners. In addition, you will consider critically the nature of innovation in pedagogy, focusing on what innovative pedagogies may mean in the 21st century. The module will ask you to explore a variety of ways in which professionals can instigate change and innovation, and this may lead to you identifying not only topics for assessment in this module, but also for your dissertation.

30 credits

Language Learning and Pedagogy

This module will explore key theories and approaches in language learning and associated pedagogies, relevant to today's diverse society, drawing on your teaching and learning experiences, as well as the literature. We will look into formal language education and the role of the teacher in classroom contexts across various sectors, as well as developing a deeper understanding of the role of language in society, including the relationship between home and school, and heritage/home languages. Classroom and learner practices such as code-switching and translanguaging will be examined, as well as the role of technology and learner motivation in the language learning context.

30 credits

Contemporary Issues for Early Childhood Education

The global contexts in which young children live and learn afford diverse challenges and opportunities for early childhood education. This module focuses on a range of topics which are 'of the moment', and thus pertinent to contemporary debates and practice. Students will critically evaluate current global issues as well as topics which are relevant to specific social, cultural and geographical contexts. Module content will draw upon pioneering research within the School of Education and beyond, and will enable students to make an informed contribution to developments in early childhood education.

30 credits