Programme Specification A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a taught programme of study leading to an award from The University of Sheffield 1 Programme Title Educational Studies 2 Programme Code EDUT005 3 JACS Code (if applicable) Not applicable 4 Level of Study Postgraduate 5a Masters of Education (MEd) 7 Final Qualification Position in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Intermediate Qualification(s) Position in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield) 8 Faculty Social Sciences 9 Department Educational Studies 10 Other Department(s) involved in teaching the programme None 11 Mode(s) of Attendance Part-time, Distance Learning (Trinidad) 12 Duration of the Programme 2-3 years 13 Accrediting Professional or Statutory Body None 14 Date of production/revision June 2007 5b 6a 6b Masters Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) Masters Not applicable 15. Background to the programme and subject area Major changes in education at national levels and internationally continue to be the source of current debates among academics, policy makers and practitioners. Among these changes is the increasing internationalisation of education and its impact on national educational policy and practice. In this regard, the Department of Educational Studies in the School of Education which is internationally renowned for its excellence in teaching and the high quality of its research, continues to strengthen its international programme through the Masters in Educational Studies offered in the Caribbean (Trinidad, St Lucia and Jamaica). The University of Sheffield’s Department of Educational Studies has been involved in the development of continuing teacher professional development in the Caribbean since 1987. Since then, we have established a name for ourselves and many students have graduated from our Masters of Education Programmes. The programme is designed to meet the needs of professionals working in a wide range of education and training related areas in the Caribbean. It aims to provide students with both a thorough grounding in the philosophy, principles and practice of educational research, and a critical understanding of key contemporary and global issues affecting all types and sectors of education and training. The programme has been developed on the principle of commitment to educational research and the desire to relate that research to the issues that practising educators face in their own professional contexts. The programme has been developed with flexibility to give students the opportunity to pursue the enquiries that are relevant to them in the Caribbean context. The Dip/MEd Educational Studies programme continues to be based on an unequivocal commitment to the development of education in the Caribbean through critical and informed engagement with educational theory, policy and practice. To this end, the programme embodies the democratic values of tolerance, respect for others and open discussion and debate and is informed by the academic values of critical enquiry, intellectual independence and respect for evidence. The programme provides students with the opportunity to undertake high quality scholarship and research which will enable them to acquire a more rigorous and informed understanding of Caribbean education and of the cultural, 219515626 – ver10-11 1 political and historical contexts in which it occurs. The curriculum fosters the pedagogical principles of research-led teaching, critical inquiry, collaborative learning and reflective practice and it is offered as a means of effectively supporting the professional development of a diverse range of educational professionals across the full spectrum of education and training from pre-school to higher education. Through their engagement, students are nurtured into a learning culture where the voices of students can be heard and facilitated through open discussion and critical debate. 16. Programme aims The aims of the MEd Educational Studies (Trinidad) are to: 1) Offer those working in education opportunities to engage with theory, reflect upon practice and evaluate research that underpins practice 2) Provide opportunities for long-term professional development for teachers 3) Enhance teachers’ knowledge, understanding and skills in ways that meet the training needs of teachers 4) Equip teachers with research skills which enable them to identify areas of concern, plan strategies for improvement, implement their plans and evaluate the effectiveness of their work. 17. Programme learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding: On completion of the PG Certificate in Educational Studies, students will be able to demonstrate: K1 Their understanding of some aspects of educational practice, in relation to their own professional context K2 Familiarity with a range of key research literature relevant to the study of education K3 Evidence of critical engagement with educational practice and issues of teaching quality In addition to the above, on completion of the PG Diploma in Educational Studies, students will be able to demonstrate: K4 Critical understanding of key issues within four core curriculum areas in which education can be analysed K5 Familiarity with a range of key research literature relevant to four core curriculum areas In addition to the above, on completion of the MEd in Educational Studies, students will be able to demonstrate: K6 Advanced knowledge and understanding in the field of Educational Studies K7 A critical understanding of research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the field of Educational Studies Skills and other attributes: On completion of the PG Certificate in Educational Studies, students will be able to demonstrate: S1 An ability to critically evaluate educational policy at national, local and school level S2 An ability to produce a piece of written work that will demonstrate an ability to synthesise work in practice, review relevant literature and develop a coherent and sustained argument Skills and other attributes: On completion of the PG Diploma in Educational Studies, students will be able to demonstrate: S3 An ability to plan, conduct and evaluate a small-scale research project S4 An ability to evaluate research methods and decide on appropriateness for specific research questions S5 An ability to explain their own research plans and assist in critiquing the research plans of students working in similar areas In addition to the above, on completion of the MEd in Educational studies, students will be able to demonstrate: S6 An ability to carry out an independent, sustained study to the appropriate standard (which involves the skills of research design, choosing appropriate methods, data analysis and writing a research report). S7 Originality in the application of knowledge 219515626 – ver10-11 2 18. Teaching, learning and assessment Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning methods: The programme’s teaching is research-led. Research-led teaching is fostered through scholarly activity of staff, appropriate use of research in the relevant fields and the development of students’ own research skills. Students are encouraged to develop as active and independent learners and teaching and learning activities have been developed which are appropriate to these aims. The programme is delivered through distance learning. Distance learning within this context is defined using the terms identified within the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Guidelines on Distance Learning (March, 1999). Two dimensions best describe the provision offered: ‘Materials-based learning’ and ‘Learning supported from the providing institution remotely from the students.’ On the distance learning programmes, students are supplied with learning resources and material, attend two study schools per academic year and are supported by local tutors (based in the Caribbean) throughout the programme. The learning resources are developed to provide opportunities for students’ reflection on material in light of their own professional contexts. Distance learning teaching and learning materials include: material written specifically for the programmes, selected readings, Web based material (on WebCTVista), CD ROM and video material. Study schools incorporate lectures (which are used to impart knowledge), seminars (an interactive forum, tutor or student led, in which students explore key aspects of knowledge and understanding), workshops (tutor guided students engage in a range of activities focused on a specific topic e.g. research methods) and tutorials (to support academic progress). Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the following assessment methods: The PG Certificate and PG Diploma are assessed through assignments which take the form of essays and reports. The Masters is assessed through a dissertation. At the Certificate level students are required to successfully complete two 6,000 word assignments. At the Diploma level students are assessed on the basis of four 6,000 word assignments. The M.Ed. is assessed on the basis of four 6,000 word assignments and a 20,000 word dissertation 19. Reference points The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference: Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008) http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/The-framework-for-higher-educationqualifications-in-England-Wales-and-Northern-Ireland.aspx University Strategic Plan http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/strategicplan Learning and Teaching Strategy (2011-16) http://www.shef.ac.uk/lets/strategy/lts11_16 Department of Educational Studies’ Teaching and Learning strategy Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Guidelines on Distance Learning (March 1999) 20. Programme structure and regulations Recent educational initiatives and policy developments have meant that many educational professionals need to draw from a range of disciplines with educational studies. The programme has, therefore, been designed to enable students to continue to develop substantive knowledge and understanding of the field of Educational Studies. All students take the first core module, the Foundation Module which introduces them to fundamental philosophical, sociological and curriculum issues in education. The second module is also a core module that introduces students to Research Methodology and Methods. This research module develops further the introduction to educational research and preliminary study of research methodologies introduced through the Foundation Module, tutorials and first study school. Different perspectives on educational research are introduced and the difference between method and methodology are discussed. Students consider the role of the researcher within the educational research process. Students to be awarded the postgraduate Certificate are expected to exit at the course at this point. Continuing student progress to module three which is a core module entitled: Schools, Communities and Change. In this module students will be introduced to issues to be discussed in understanding the impact of change on schools. 219515626 – ver10-11 3 Emphasis is placed on the challenges and possibilities of developing inclusive schools; the relationship between schools and communities; the relationship between school and work; and the changing role of teachers and school leaders. The fourth core module is entitled: Evolving Understandings in Teaching and Learning. This module focuses on two major activities in teachers’ lives: teaching and assessing. It considers how these activities are linked to teachers’ understandings of how people learn. It argues that richer understandings of learning can lead to better practice in teaching and assessing – and it enquires what ‘better practice’ might mean. Students to be awarded the PG Diploma are expected to exit at this point. The dissertation is equivalent to two modules. Students will pursue a focused and in-depth research study of their choice and produce a 20,000 word dissertation. Students can choose to exit after completion of 60 credits, at which point they would be awarded a PG Certificate or on completion of 120 credits, at which point they would be awarded a PG Diploma. Students who go on to complete the dissertation of 60 credits, thus gaining 180 credits overall, are awarded the MEd. Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression and descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at www.shef.ac.uk/calendar 21. Student development over the course of study The Dip/MEd Educational Studies programme is based on a firm commitment to the progressive development of education in the Caribbean Region through the critical and informed engagement with educational theory, policy and practice. To this end, the programme embodies the democratic values of tolerance, respect for others and open discussion and debate, and is informed by the academic values of critical inquiry, intellectual independence and respect for evidence. The work will assist students in developing their current practice, to locate relevant research studies in the literature, to critically evaluate these and to conduct their own small-scale research projects. Through their dissertation research, they will acquire the knowledge to contribute to the growth of understanding in an aspect of education that particularly interests them. The programme seeks to provide a detailed analysis of teaching and learning in order to advance the students’ understanding of their profession and to extend their thinking and positively influence their behaviour so that they could become more effective within the field of education. The programme is all at Masters level and so progression is related to the width and breadth of subject knowledge developed through the programme. The students are supported in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding through carefully staged tasks which promote independent learning. The progression built into the programme with regard to the development of critical awareness, ability to synthesise research and write research reports, is reflected in the range and level of tasks set at study schools, local tutorials and reflected in the written programme materials. The development of key skills is targeted in the first year and students are taught critical reading and writing skills, research skills and how to structure and write assignments. In the final year, these skills are extended to include focus on conducting a research study. 22. Criteria for admission to the programme General requirement for the MEd normally require candidates to posses a first degree. Applicants without a first degree may register for a Diploma in the first instance, provided their qualifications and experience are deemed acceptable by the Board, with transfer to the Master’s programme on completion of satisfactory coursework. NB: For postgraduate programmes, the above statement should be deleted and replaced with either full details of the admissions criteria or a URL for where the relevant information can be found on the department’s web site. 23. Additional information This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can be accessed via our Student Services web site at www.shef.ac.uk/ssid. 219515626 – ver10-11 4