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Study information

Learning for Teaching: School Experience

Module titleLearning for Teaching: School Experience
Module codeEDU3014
Academic year2024/5
Credits30
Module staff

Mrs Anita Wood (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

1

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

Module description

Are you interested in becoming a teacher? Have you ever wondered whether you have the knowledge and skills needed to teach a class?  If so, then this is the module for you.

This module will introduce you to teaching and learning in schools, both in theory and practice. It will enable you to understand the role of the teacher within a school setting, working to the set of professional standards required for Qualified Teacher Status by the National College for Teaching and Learning. It will enable you to engage with theories of teaching and learning and will offer you the opportunity to participate in teaching and learning activities in a school setting, or via a ‘virtual placement’. It will help you to understand the challenges and rewards of working as a teacher in school and will introduce you to a range of training pathways, such as the University of Exeter’s PGCE and School Direct programmes. It will also develop a wide range of personal and transferable skills attractive to any graduate employer.

To study this module, no prior knowledge is required and you are welcome regardless of your disciplinary or degree background. It is possible to undertake this module at any stage from the second year of your degree programme onwards because 15 and 30 credit versions have been developed at Levels 5 or 6. It is only possible to take a Learning for Teaching Module once.

If you choose to undertake a face to face placement, please note that you must submit your DBS application to the DBS office in good time and must complete a school placement form,

Please be aware that some additional costs may be incurred for travel to and from your school placement. However, you will be able to arrange your placement in a location that is convenient for you, or choose to just undertake a ‘virtual placement’.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to: provide you with knowledge and understanding of the professional role of the teacher within a school setting; introduce you to legal, professional and theoretical frameworks applicable to working as a teacher in school; enable you to learn from structured analysis and reflection on your experience gained within a school context or through a ‘virtual placement’; and provide a structure for you to demonstrate learning that will be applicable to future training and employment in the teaching profession. You will be introduced to the Teachers’ Standards that apply to all teachers in England and Wales, including those in initial training, and will be given information and advice about the diverse routes into the teaching profession and how to apply for them.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of how teaching and learning is organised in school settings;
  • 2. demonstrate a critical awareness and systematic understanding of the curriculum delivered in one or two key stages;
  • 3. select and prepare curriculum resources, plan for their effective use in the classroom or online
  • 4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal and professional frameworks applicable to working as a teacher in school, including the Teachers’ Standards;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 5. reflect critically on the professional role of the teacher including knowledge of the statutory requirements related to working with young people (eg safeguarding; health and safety);
  • 6. demonstrate a critical awareness of the learning process and an ability to reflect on and evaluate learning in a school context, based on professional and scholarly literature and analytical reflection on your experience and observations;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 7. identify the skills and personal attributes needed to work as a teacher, with reference to the Teachers’ Standards in particular;
  • 8. analyse your personal skills related to teaching and learning, identifying ways to improve these through personal development planning; and
  • 9. communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions clearly and demonstrate your understanding of teaching and learning in an appropriate format for purpose and audience.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • A programme of lectures and seminars at the university with preparation tasks;
  • A virtual school placement which you engage with online and the option of a face to face placement (if permitted)
  • Reflection on your learning by participation in online discussion groups;
  • Preparation of a portfolio of documentary evidence, based on the Teachers’ Standards, to demonstrate your engagement with and learning from the taught course and from your face to face or virtual placement.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
2421660

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities24Taught lecture and seminar programme (12 x 2 hour sessions)
Guided independent study24Preparation tasks related to content of lectures
Guided independent study12Participation in online reflective discussions following lectures
Guided independent study10Planning and preparation for school placement including making contact with school
Placement/study abroad60School experience: 10 days
Guided independent study20Critical, analytical and reflective case study based on school experience
Guided independent study150Planning and preparation for school experience activities and compilation of documentary evidence of learning

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Online discussions1,000 words equivalent2, 4-6, 9 Online feedback from peers and tutors
Written assignment2,000 words1-3, 5-9Written 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
Portfolio 101,000 words1-9Written
Written assignment905,000 words1-9Written
0
0
0
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
PortfolioPortfolio (1,000 words; 10%)1-9August/September reassessment period
Written assignmentWritten assignment (5,000 words; 90%)1-9August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Aubrey, K. and Riley, A. (2016) Understanding and using Educational Theories. Sage:  London

Pollard, A. (2018) Reflective Teaching in Schools. Bloomsbury

Williams, K. (2012) Reflective Writing, Palgrave Macmillan.

Willingham, D.T. (2009) Why Don’t Children Like School? Jossey Bass.

Skinner, D. (2010) Effective Teaching and Learning in Practice. Continuum.  London  

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web-based and electronic resources: will be available on ELE (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/)

Other relevant URLs:

University of Exeter PGCE programmes: http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/education/pgce/

Department for Education: http://www.education.gov.uk/

Get into Teaching website: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching

School Direct: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based-training/school-direct

Teach First graduate recruitment: http://www.teachfirst.org.uk/our-programme

Ofsted inspection reports: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report

Key words search

Teachers, teaching, teacher training, learning, PGCE, schools, work experience

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

21/05/2013

Last revision date

31/07/2020