ED1BDE-Discovering Education: An exploration of Key Educational Issues

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:

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 aims to increase students’ confidence in researching and identifying appropriate sources and material when discussing educational issues.

Aims:

• To familiarise students with issues around educational studies


• To develop a critical understanding of fundamental educational issues;


• To critically examine different educational issues and from different perspectives


• To develop confidence with researching and discussing educational issues as well as sources and material

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Develop skills in examining and evaluating a range of contemporary and controversial issues in education


• Articulate and justify an informed point of view on educational issues through taking part in patchwork and discussions


• Draw reflectively and critically upon own educational experience and literature about the nature of education


• Develop a range of skills in accessing material and information from a range of sources relating to the academic study of educational issues

Additional outcomes:

• Develop academic writing, critical thinking and evaluation skills


• Develop skills of collaboration


• Produce well-structured and well-argued essay

Outline content:

• Engaging in critical thinking skills within education


• Explore education as a concept

Global context:

Education will be explored within an international context.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, discussion groups, small group tasks and online contributions