Overview

Before placement: Preparation for placement experience (including code of conduct, child protection, health and safety issues etc.)

To understand how to critically analyse and reflect upon experiences on placement

During placement:

To become familiar with the educational institution and the staff

To understand the various roles and responsibilities of staff and the staff structure of the institution.

To observe how various elements of the Curriculum are organized and compare that with curriculum theory.

To observe best practice with regards to teaching and learning.

To observe how national and/or institutional priorities are delivered.

To examine how the institution ensures the balanced development of its pupils/students.

To examine how the institution assesses progress and reports to students etc.

To examine how the institution provides for inclusion.

To relate the institution’s ethos to the mission statement and its academic and pastoral programmes.

To achieve understanding of the dual role of the tutor: pastoral and administrative.

To achieve understanding of management and leadership.

To examine how the institution provides for bilingual education.

To take part in a short presentation for staff and/or students.

During the university sessions:

To review experiences to date.

To ensure reflective logs include critical analysis and reflections are tied to the underlying theory.

To review what further experiences would be helpful to their development.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40-49%, Fail: Some consideration given to planning and structure, limited in depth of analysis and use of research, but demonstrating some understanding of the subject matter.30-39%, Fail: Below the threshold level for Masters’, despite showing a little evidence of relevant study and knowledge.0-30%, Fail: Seriously deficient, lacking any real evidence of subject knowledge or understanding. -good -60-69%, Merit: Shows significant insight, offers sustained and relevant analysis, well researched and referenced and written with a clear structure and style.50-59%, Pass: Clear evidence of planning leading to a good structure, sound understanding of theories and analysis, and good use of research supported by appropriate evidence. -excellent -70-100%, Distinction: Outstanding work which demonstrates exceptional scholarship and is worthy of publication, or instrumental in developing professional practice.70-84%, Distinction: Demonstrates excellence in power of analysis, argument, originality, range of research, organisation and stylistic quality.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically analyse and reflect upon their experiences on placement (including comparing current practice to their own experiences/home educational system) in the light of background reading.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of best practice with regards to teaching and learning.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complexity and interconnectedness issues of educational issues.

• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current educational practice in an educational institution.