Unit information: Curriculum Research in 2018/19

Unit name	Curriculum Research
Unit code	EDUCM0074
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Mrs. Lythgoe
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit focuses on the theory and research underpinning the practice of teaching and learning in the specialist subject area.

It supports trainees to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to become effective practitioners and encourage them to make informed decisions about their teaching. It will introduce examples of good practice and recent research in their subject discipline.

Subject-based work will model good practice and introduce trainees to a range of research based perspectives to inform the development of their own professional identities. It encourages exploration of various teaching styles and evaluation of their possibilities through personal experience and reference to a range of literature.

Aims:

This unit aims to:

• enable trainees to develop a sound research and evidence based approach to their professional practice;

• offer a range of experiences, both university and school-based, from which trainees can consider their own professional development;

• present aspects of the basic theory which underpin secondary teaching at subject level and to begin to develop trainees' skills in planning, teaching and evaluating lessons;

• enable trainees to reconceptualise their subject knowledge so that they can use it effectively in teaching;

• support trainees in developing the full range of professional skills required of a teacher.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit trainees will be able to:

1. Understand aspects of learning theory relevant to their own subject;
2. Use research and other professional literature to inform their development as teachers;
3. Use their subject knowledge effectively to underpin their teaching;
4. Create effective teaching and learning resources;
5. Present well structured accounts of their learning within their subject.

Teaching Information

The programme lead will introduce the unit, assessment and intended learning outcomes. This be further supplemented by both University and School subject specialists through seminars, observations, workshops and tutorials.

Assessment Information

Because of the different nature of school subjects this will vary, but will be based on practical activities underpinned by research in the appropriate professional literature.

During the year trainees will carry out a range of tasks designed to develop their teaching skills, engage in academic literature and support the final summative assessment.

The summative assessment will be equivalent to a 4,000 word essay and may include one or more of the following;

• A research seminar presentation with accompanying written report;

• A written research-based assignment;

• A practical task, supported by documentation of the underpinning research.

The assessments will cover ILO 1-5.

Reading and References

Reading lists will be determined by the subject specialism with further details provided in subject handbook information.

Other texts will be recommended dependent upon the subject content learnt and ways of learning it, negotiated with the tutor.