module specification

On this module you will think critically about what education is and what it means to become an educationist and reflective practitioner. You will interrogate assumptions underpinning educational practice, consider alternative approaches and become aware of your own educational values.

Through active class participation and engagement with educational theory you will explore varied approaches to developing a range of academic practices (such as oral communication, reading, writing and referencing as well as creative, visual and digital literacies) in the context of education studies. This may include, but is not restricted to:
• social and embodied approaches
• developing your ‘voice’ in a variety of written genres
• primary research/fieldwork.

You will become familiar with the conventions of academic study in the education context through reading, writing and enquiry. The module will introduce you to educational research processes and ethics and support you in conducting a small-scale research project.

Throughout the year you will be encouraged to reflect critically on your learning and its impact on your development as an educationist.

This module aims to:
• Support your development as an educationist and member of an inclusive academic community.
• Facilitate your reflective practice based on reflective models/theories.
• Encourage you to critically engage with educational debates and underpinning theories.
• Develop your academic literacy using a range of approaches.
• Introduce you to educational research.

The module will provide students with opportunities to engage critically with notions of what education is and could be and to develop awareness of their own aspirations and practice as educationists. It begins with a critical exploration of educational values and systems with a view to ‘rethinking’ education. Students will be introduced to approaches to learning and teaching, perceptions of knowledge and theories of learning. Through reading, writing, discussion and creative exploration students will reflect on a variety of educational concepts which may include, for example, social learning or embodied practice. (LO2)

Students will have a practical introduction to educational research processes and ethics through being supported in their own small-scale research project. (LO4)

Through participatory, collaborative and creative activities students will develop their academic practice, becoming familiar with academic conventions within the education discipline and more proficient at communicating with and within the educational academic community. (LO3)

Students will critically reflect on how their learning and experiences relate to the education context more broadly - linking to module reading, considering issues such as inclusive practice and social justice, and considering how this contributes to their development as educationists. There is a focus on developing reflective academic and professional practice throughout the module. (LO1)

The module is taught through a series of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. All materials are available on Weblearn (VLE) and there are guided follow-up tasks, reading and/or reflective activities.  Teaching, learning, and assessment practices aim to be inclusive, participatory, collaborative and student-centred.

Students are encouraged to reflect independently on their learning throughout the module with opportunities provided for individual, collaborative and digital reflection.  Digital spaces also provide opportunities for peer learning and resource-sharing, and foster thinking about the nature of in-person and digital learning spaces.  Creative class activities introduce students to diverse tools for reflection and collaborative learning. Students draw on their engagement with these class activities, online spaces and individual reflections in their final reflective portfolio.

Students undertake a small-scale educational research project which involves reflection on professional ethical practice.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
1. Use reflective practice to enhance your learning outcomes.
2. Critically engage with educational concepts related to knowledge and learning.
3. Demonstrate competence in academic practices (such as reading, writing, integrating theory and interacting with other members of the academic community) according to the conventions of the education discipline.
4. Evidence awareness of educational research processes with a small-scale primary research project.

SS4030 Becoming an Educationist: Reading | London Metropolitan University (talis.com)