ED2BPD-Professional Development 2

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mr David Dobraszczyk
Email: d.dobraszczyk@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The course will begin with a series of lectures looking at the theory and research underpinning professional development in a range of educational institutions. Students will examine a number of key themes, introducing them to teamwork and professionalism, communication and networking, developing the skills of a reflective practitioner, staff support and engagement with learners. Each student will then arrange and carry out a placement in an educational institution of their choosing.Ìý

Aims:

The aim is for students to critically reflect upon their extended placement in a professional education institution, drawing upon literature, research, observations, conversations, and day-to-day experiences, in order to make tentative conclusions about their own professional development.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Explain key principles and theory behind different aspects of professional development, with specific reference to an educational institution.


• Organise and complete a work placement in an educational institution, demonstrating effective management of their work schedule and fulfilment of the employer’s requirements.


• Critically reflect on their experien ces during the work placement, with a view to making conclusions about effective practice and how they might improve their own practice in the future.


• Communicate their findings effectively through a range of formative and summative assessments.

Additional outcomes:

Furthermore, it is hoped, although not assessed, that students will:

• Reflect upon possible employment routes for the future.


• Consolidate and strengthen understanding of other educational issues, studied in different modules during Parts 1 and 2.


• Develop networking strategies, perhaps using social media as an effective tool for widening their impact.

Outline content:

Term 2 will consist of six different lectures, which will be focused at making the placement as meaningful as possible. The broad themes of the lectures will be:

• Introduction to the module and being a critically reflective practitioner


• Engaging with learners in an educational institution


• Communicating and networking in an educational institution


• Staff development and support in an educational institution


• Team work in an educational institution


• Professionalism in an educational institution

There will also be opportunities to discuss individual placements and attend talks from local professionals currently employed in educational institutions. During this term, students will arrange their own Term 3 placements, in consultation with the Placement Development Officer.

The Term 3 placement will last for four weeks, and stude nts are required to attend for three full days in each of those weeks. At the end of this placement, students will present their findings and experiences.

Global context:

Some settings will be following theoretical or pedagogical principles which accommodate a global perspective.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The initial group sessions which explore research and theory in relation to specific areas of professional development will be lectures but there will be a heavy emphasis on discussion and problem solving, as well as opportunities to look forwards to their placement.

A key learning method will be the requirement for students to keep a journal during the placement, which they will send to the Module Tutor during the second week and they will receive pointers, advice and thi ngs to think about for the remainder of their placement. During the pl