Unit information: Curriculum Practice (Level M) in 2019/20

Unit name	Curriculum Practice (Level M)
Unit code	EDUCM5030
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Ms. Bailey
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	Educational and Professional Studies and Curriculum Research
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is solidly based in students' developing professional practice. It is both university and school based, allowing students to consider the theoretical underpinnings of learning and teaching their subject and then to put these ideas into practice in secondary schools. It provides the basis of practical experience on which students' professional development can be built through their developing careers. Students observe good practice and consider how to implement ideas from this into their own practice. The unit supports the development of their skills in planning, teaching and evaluating lessons. It helps them develop their skills in assessment of pupils' learning and in using that assessment to inform their teaching. It supports them in considering how to use their existing subject knowledge effectively and in understanding pupils' different ways of understanding.

Aims:

This unit aims to support the practical development of key professional skills. It will enable students to begin their development into reflective professionals who will be motivated to continue developing their skills and understanding throughout their careers. It aims to support the development of their own professional identities as teachers through working with a range of active practitioners. It will provide them with opportunities to develop their skills in planning, teaching and evaluating lessons, as well as assessing pupils’ learning and acting on the knowledge gained through that assessment. It will enable them to use a range of research a professional literature to inform their own practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Plan, teach and evaluate lessons in their specialist subject;

• Assess pupils’ learning and use this assessment to inform their future teaching;

• Communicate with pupils and use their subject knowledge effectively;

• Draw on research into teaching of their subject to improve their teaching;

• Understand key educational issues which arise in their experiences.

Teaching Information

Students will take part in subject-based sessions during university-based periods of the course (12 weeks throughout year) and work in a subject department for the school based elements (24 weeks). During subject-based sessions they will engage in a variety of activities, from lectures to seminars and practical workshops. In school they will observe practice, teach classes and take part in regular tutorial sessions with a subject based mentor.

Assessment Information

Students will carry out a range of formative activities during the year which will provide feedback on the key issues addressed by this unit. They will then complete a summative assessment task, drawing on their experiences. This will include documentation of planning, teaching and evaluation activities to illustrate their skills in a chosen context. The task will be the equivalent of a 4000 word assignment, but will take a variety of formats according to the varying needs of the different subjects.

They will also be required to achieve a satisfactory standard in their practical teaching. This will be assessed through observations by tutors during school-based placements.

Reading and References

See attached lists of six titles in each subject area – it is not appropriate for all subjects to offer the same list. All books are currently on subject reading lists and available or in the process of being purchased.