Study information

Learning and Teaching in Further Education

Module titleLearning and Teaching in Further Education
Module codeEXEM001
Academic year2024/5
Credits30
Module staff
Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

8

Number students taking module (anticipated)

25

Module description

This Level 7 module links closely with three co-requisite level 7 modules: Research Project, Curriculum Studies and Professional Studies. This module is the first taught module of the course in the Autumn term. The module addresses processes, principles and theories of planning, preparing and enabling learning. It critically investigates key aspects of the roles and responsibilities of teachers, trainers and tutors in the Further Education and Skills Sector. 

Throughout your training you will compile a Portfolio that contains evidence of achieving the Occupational Standards for teachers and trainers required by the Education and Training Foundation for recommendation for the Qualified Teacher learning and Skills (QTLS). Successful completion of all four modules leads to the award of PGCE (Further Education and Skills). 

Module aims - intentions of the module

To enable you to develop and apply the practical skills, complex knowledge and understanding which underpin professional educational practice in the Further Education and Skills Sector, whilst critically reflecting on your own teaching and learning. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. critically analyse the role of a teacher in the Further Education and Skills Sector;
  • 2. critically analyse approaches to learning and teaching in FE
  • 3. explore reasonable adaptations for a range of additional needs;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. recognise learners’ different needs and interpret these learning needs in order to successfully plan, teach, assess and critically evaluate lessons and schemes of work;
  • 5. engage in critical debate about current educational issues drawing on a wide range of evidence from theory, research and practice;
  • 6. critically evaluate the relevance of educational theory to practice;
  • 7. compare, analyse and synthesise relevant educational literature and use research data in support of an argument;
  • 8. critically evaluate your personal professional learning and teaching against the Occupational Standards
  • 9. independently plan your future professional development needs;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 10. demonstrate continued self-directed development through breadth of teaching practice;
  • 11. reflexively evaluate access and progression in teaching practice;
  • 12. manage your own learning and development;
  • 13. learn effectively and be aware of your own learning strategies, with minimum guidance;
  • 14. work productively in different kinds of teams (formal, informal, project based, etc.);
  • 15. think creatively about the main features of a given problem and develop a range of strategies for its resolution;
  • 16. express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes.

Syllabus plan

The module introduces you to current thinking in Learning and Teaching in the context of teaching your chosen subject in the Further Education Sector. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Principles, approaches, and practice of learning, teaching and assessment in your own specialist area.
  • Identifying and understanding support available to effectively meet the potential needs of learners.
  • The implications of equality, diversity and inclusion issues, including bilingualism, in learning, teaching and assessment.
  • Safeguarding, sustainability, digital and ed-tech tools, and embedding maths and English.
  • Key aspects of relevant codes of practice and current legislative requirements, including legislation relating to disability, health, safety and welfare.
  • The responsibilities, Occupational Standards and boundaries of own role as a teacher. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
6060180

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities60Includes group sessions, group tutorials/meetings, VLE interactions, individual tutorials and mentor meetings including discussion about professional learning; situated learning
Guided Independent Study60Self-directed reading related to assignment submission and classroom practice; critical reflection on professional learning.
Placement180range of learning activities including: teaching practice; embedding skills learned within PGCE classes within planning; tutorials including discussion about professional learning and curriculum; peer observations; guided reflective practice and action planning; faculty staff activities including staff development

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Written and oral critical reflection on professional learningContinuous assessment of professional learning throughout the programme.4-14Verbal feedback; written feedback and action points agreed with tutor for developing teaching practice using the relevant Occupational Standards.
Generic assessment: meeting the minimum teaching practice requirements Continuous assessment of professional learning throughout the programme.1-7, 8-9, 15-16As above, including verbal and written feedback on teaching practice
Formative assessment: written task1,000 words1-7, 16Verbal feedback; written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Written assignment1004,500 words1-7, 9, 15Written feedback with grade

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Written assignmentWritten assignment resubmission1-7, 9, 15See notes below

Re-assessment notes

See Handbook -  for University colleagues:http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/ and for Exeter College staff and students: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (exe-coll.ac.uk)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Appleyard, N. and Appleyard, K. (2009) The Minimum Core for Language and Literacy: Knowledge,

Understanding and Skills. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Armitage, A., Cogger, A., Evershed, J., Hayes, D., Lawes, S., Renwick, M. (2016) Teaching in post-14 education & training. (5th edn.) Maidenhead: Open University Press. 

Avis, J., Fisher, R., and Thompson, R. (2009) Teaching in Lifelong Learning - a guide to theory and practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Black, P., Harrison, C., Lee, C., Marshall, B. and Wiliam, D. (2003) Assessment for Learning. London: Nelson.

Brookfield, S. (2017)â?¯Becoming a critically reflective teacher.â?¯2nd edn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 

Curzon, L.B. and Tummons, J. (2013)â?¯Teachingâ?¯in further education: an outline of principles and practice.â?¯7th edn. London: Bloomsbury. 

Gravells, A. and Simpson, S. (2012) Equality and Diversity in the Lifelong Learning Sector. (2nd edn.) Exeter: Learning Matters.

Gravells, A. (2017) Principles and practices of teaching and training: a guide for teachers and trainers in the FE and skills sector. Exeter: SAGE Publications Ltd. (Further Education and Skills). 

Gregson, M., Hillier, Y., Biesta, G., Duncan, S., Nixon, L., Spedding, T., and Wakeling, P. (2015) Reflective Teaching in Further, Adult and Vocational Education. London: Bloomsbury.  

Huddlestone, P. and Unwin, L. (2008) Teaching and Learning in Further Education: Diversity and Change. London: Routledge.

Tummons, J. (2011) Assessing Learning in the Lifelong Learning Sector. (3rd edn.) Exeter: Learning Matters.  

Tummons, J. (ed.) (2020) PCET. Learning and Teaching in the Post Compulsory Sector. London: Learning Matters, SAGE Publication Ltd.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/    

 

http://www.et-foundation.co.uk/

www.ofsted.gov.uk   

www.guardian.co.uk/education

www.tes.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk/news/education/

www.excellencegateway.org.uk/

https://www.aoc.co.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

Resources available and suggested for the three accompanying modules in the PCE Exeter College Programme will also be relevant to support learning in this module. 

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Recommended Texts

Boud, D. (2000) Sustainable assessment: rethinking assessment for the learning society Studies in

Continuing Education, 22, 2, 151-167.

Eastwood, L., Coates, J., Dixon, L., Harvey, J., Ormondroyd, C. and Willamson, S. (2009) A Toolkit for Creative Teaching in Post-Compulsory Education. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Falchikov, N. (2004) Improving Assessment Through Student Involvement: Practical Solutions for Higher and Further Education Teaching and Learning. London: Routledge Falmer.

Fawbert, F. (ed.) (2008) Teaching in Post-compulsory Education: Skills, Standards and Lifelong Learning. London: Continuum.

Journals

Journal of Further and Higher Education

Journal of Vocational Education and Training

Key words search

PGCE, FE teacher, Further Education and Skills, FES, QTLS, Learning, Teaching

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

Research Project (EXEM002)

Curriculum Studies (EXEM003)

Professional Studies (EXEM004)

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

15/05/23

Last revision date

01/08/2024