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Contemporary Issues in Teaching - EDU00005M

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  • Department: Education
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Paula Mountford
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This module introduces students to a range of issues faced by beginning teachers in the early part of their careers. We focus on key areas pertinent to the skills, topics and issues that teachers need to critically engage with. Students have the opportunity to critically reflect upon these areas from a UK and international perspective.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

This module will explore some of the key issues in teaching facing beginning teachers in the early part of their career.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

  • A critical understanding of government policy in the light of educational theory and reflections on teaching practice, with particular reference to: equity; pupil motivation and behaviour; and learning, assessment and target setting.
  • A critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the structure and content of the national curriculum.
  • A critical understanding of practice in selected aspects of teaching, learning and assessment in curriculum areas.
  • A critical understanding of the nature of professional development with respect to teaching.

Academic and graduate skills

  • Able to critically analyse and communicate theoretical frameworks and research findings.
  • Aware of issues concerning the collection and interpretation of research data.
  • Able to identify relevant research literature.
  • Able to develop and make use of ICT skills.

Module content

Course outline

Week 2: Beginning teachers

Week 3: Classroom language

Week 4: Teacher Satisfaction and Motivation

Week 5: Learning Outside the Classroom

Week 6: Discipline

Week 7: Assessment

Week 8: Pupil Wellbeing

Week 9: Sexism

Week 10: Helping troubled pupils

Course details

Week 2 - Beginning teachers.

This session introduces the central themes of this module in the context of recent policy developments and the needs of beginning teachers.

Week 3 - Violence in schools.

This session introduces the key aspects of violence in schools and what this means for the roles and responsibilities of teachers and their classroom practice in protecting children.

Week 4 - Teacher satisfaction and motivation.

This session looks at the nature of teacher satisfaction and motivation and explores the factors which influence these.

Week 5 - Pupil well-being.

This session looks at the nature of pupil well-being and the factors that influences it.

Week 6 - Discipline.

This session introduces the key aspects of maintaining discipline in terms of school policy and classroom practice.

Week 7 - Assessment.

This session introduces the key aspects of assessment and what this means for classroom practice.

Week 8 - Learning outside the classroom.

This session introduces the uses that can be made for learning outside the classroom.

Week 9 - Classroom language.

This session introduces the key aspects of the way language is used in the classroom and what this means for improving practice.

Week 10 - Helping troubled pupils.

This session considers the issues involved in helping troubled pupils.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
3500 word essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Assessment - Information.

An essay of 3,500 words in length on a topic covered in the course or negotiated with the tutors.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
3500 word essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Written feedback on assignment report sheet and face to face feedback in supervisions.

The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

Indicative reading

Ellis, V. (Ed.). (2007). Learning and teaching in secondary schools (3rd ed.) Exeter: Learning Matters.
Johnston, J., Halocha, J., & Chater, M. (Eds.). (2007). Developing teaching skills in the primary school. Maidenhead: Open University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.