ED1BED: Discovering Education: An exploration of Key Educational Issues

Module code: ED1BED

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 40

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr David Dobraszczyk , email: d.dobraszczyk@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an introduction and overview of key philosophical, social, cultural and political debates within education. Students of educational studies should be familiar with different issues, controversies and debates concerning education and learning and to be articulate in contributing to these debates. Through discussion, this module aims to develop students' engagement as debaters with the aim to create awareness of current topics, legislation and theory as well as to develop students’ ability to evaluate and take part in discussions of educational issues. Further, the module also introduces students to more applied aspects of education and being an educator. Specifically, the module explores key aspects of teaching and learning, culminating in the development of a learning activity.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Articulate and justify an informed point of view on educational issues through taking part in discussions
2. Draw reflectively and critically upon own educational experience and literature about the nature of education
3. Demonstrate a range of skills in accessing material and information from a range of sources relating to the academic study of educational issues
4. Demonstrate skills of collaboration as well as academic writing, critical thinking, and evaluation
5. Create a learning activity that demonstrates knowledge of key teaching and learning principles

Module content

The module challenges learners to consider the big questions what is education, where and how does it take place, and why does it matter? Through sessions exploring theory and practice, students will discover the philosophical, historical, and political underpinnings of education, while also reflecting on the role it plays in social, economic, and cultural contexts. The module will also consider the applied aspects of education, covering the key components of creating an effective learning environment and learning activity.

Alongside the taught sessions, students will participate in a variety of visits to different education settings, and will interact with a variety of practitioners in order to broaden their horizons on careers within the multi-faceted field of education.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module comprises taught sessions, group work, discussions, reflection, and external visits.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.