EDM194-Professionalism in the 21st Century

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer / Autumn module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Alan Floyd
Email: alan.floyd@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Naomi Flynn
Email: n.flynn@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Professional arenas are increasingly subject to government intervention, ostensibly to improve organisational as well as individual effectiveness, with an emphasis on standards, coupled strongly with mechanisms of accountability and deep economic concerns about needs for the rationalisation of resources. The aim of this module is to explore the changing nature of education professions, and attendant notions of professionalism, against this backdrop. Content draws on current research evidence, key concepts and academic debates in order to develop students’ own critical reflection on their professionalism and their readiness to undertake practice-oriented empirical research.

Aims:

• To develop an understanding of the key concepts and issues related to professionalism across all sectors of education including values, subject knowledge, identity and ethics.Ìý


• To critically examine literature, theories, frameworks and conceptual models of professionalism from education, and elsewhere, and relate these to practice


• To enable participants to theorise and enhance their practice through critically engaged reflection on their own professionalism


• To provide an opportunity for participants to undertake a small-scale research study within their own institution exploring an aspect of professionalism.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and issues surrounding professionalism and how these relate to political, cultural and societal influences


• Critically examine literature, theories, frameworks and conceptual models of professionalism from education and elsewhere and relate these to practice


• Reflect upon and enhance their own practice as educational professionals


• Demonstrate their ability to select and employ appropriate research methods in relation to their research focus

Additional outcomes:

• Students will have developed increased depth to their understanding of a substantial body of knowledge relating to professional values, identity and practices.


• Students will have increased their ability to communicate complex information in both oral and written communication

Outline content:

• Educational Professionals in Context – Global and Local issues


• Professional Values


• Professional Knowledge


• Professional Identities and Cultures


• Ethics


• Trust and Accountability


• Professional Development

Brief description of teaching and learning methods: