MA Education Practice - (De Montfort University)

Education Practice MA

Focusing on contemporary issues such as learners and learning and managing educational change, Education Practice is for teachers employed in primary, secondary and further education as well as DMU graduates interested in teaching, or related careers. You will be encouraged to use your own workplace and experience as the basis for your assignments.

Overview

Reasons to study Education Practice at DMU:

• Enhance your employability with placements and voluntary opportunities in local educational settings.
• Reflect upon the latest trends and developments in the field and consider how these apply to your own place of work.
• Course content fits with the latest demands of the Department for Education and National College in helping to prepare and build on the demands of National Professional Qualification for Headship and Middle Leadership.
• Our practice- and the research-based academic team is recognised for excellence in teaching, curriculum design and innovation.
• Benefit from our strong partnerships with universities, schools, professional organisations such as the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), education charities and government agencies worldwide.

Key facts for UK/EU students

• Institution code: D26
• Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time
• Attendance: Full-time two taught sessions for two evenings per week. Part-time one taught session per week
• Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK
• Fees and funding: For 2019/20 full-time tuition fees will be £5,300. Part-time fees will be £442 per 15 credit module

Key facts for international students

• Institution code: D26
• Duration: One year full-time
• Attendance: Full-time two taught sessions for two evenings per week
• Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK
• Fees and funding: For 2019/20 full-time tuition fees will be £14,100

Structure and assessment

Course modules

• Researching Education (30 credits)
  • Introduces research methodologies and their implications to form a research proposal for the dissertation element.
• Major project/dissertation (60 credits)
  • In consultation with the course leader, you will be encouraged to undertake research in an area that speaks to your own interests/experience. Assessment may include a continuing professional development event with your employer.

You will select from the following 30 credit optional modules:

• Assessment and the Curriculum
  • Examines the ways in which a content-led curriculum focuses on classroom encounters upon assessment rather than learning. It also considers the ways in which you are tested and the effectiveness of this regime on you, the teacher and the school. Alternative approaches to the curriculum and assessment will be identified to enhance your learning.
• Current and Emergent Issues in Education Policy
  • Reflects upon the latest developments in education and examines the policy trends underpinning these. You will explore policy issues in the context of your own educational setting and develop an informed critique of how policy links with practice.
• Technology Enhanced Practice
  • Considers the pitfalls and potentials of new technologies (e-safety, interactive whiteboards, virtual learning environments, Twitter, social networking, etc) for schooling, learning and teaching. You will also explore how such technology can be used effectively and what future education spaces/ possibilities are opened up.
• Negotiated Study
  • Provides students with the opportunity to pursue topics that are of direct and immediate relevance to their professional context. You will conduct an independent and individually negotiated study in an area of personal interest to you and your role in education.
• Leading and Managing Educational Change
  • Enables students to critically engage with research on educational leadership and the management of change, with a view to applying their theoretical understanding to their practice. You will also critically reflect on your own position and opportunities as a leader within your educational workplace.

Teaching and assessment

The Education Practice course uses a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and group work during evening teaching sessions. You will also be expected to undertake self-directed study.

If you study full-time, you will attend taught sessions for two evenings per week and complete the course in one academic year. If you study part-time, you will attend taught sessions for one evening per week and complete the course in two academic years.

Academic expertise

Our experienced practise and research-based course team are all qualified teachers and lecturers and have been recognised for excellence in teaching, curriculum design and innovation.

Members of the team are currently involved in active research, which shapes and informs our teaching.

Areas of research include;

• Academic practice
• Arts education
• Assessment
• Change management
• Communities of practice
• Excellence and good practice
• Inclusion and equality
• Leadership
• Learning, including online learning
• Pedagogy
• Philosophy of education
• Psychology of education
• Policy implementation
• Professional development
• Research methods
• Technology

geralt / Pixabay

Opportunities and careers

Scholarships

As part of the university's commitment to enhancing the personal and career development of our graduates. We offer an Alumni scholarship programme.

Graduate careers

This course is ideal if you wish to further your career in teaching, leadership and school management, and other careers related to the education system. This will also help prepare and build on the demands of National Professional Qualification for Headship.

The course is also an ideal vehicle for those wishing to work and research in the academic discipline of Education Studies.

Entry criteria

• 2:1 Hons in a relevant degree, not necessarily in education, but a good practical knowledge of education is required.
• Evidence of prior practical experience of working directly with learners in an educational setting in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Clear interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence in the personal statement.
• Strong commitment to working in the broad field of education throughout the duration of the course and in the future.
• The course can offer accreditation of prior learning (APL) of up to 60 credits to candidates with appropriate experience and qualifications such as a PGCE.

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Work experience:

Course assessments require students to reflect on their experiences of working directly with learners within an education or learning environment.

It is therefore expected that students will join the course has already gained at least 200 hours of relevant work experience.

Also, it is compulsory for all students to obtain work – paid or voluntary – in a learning environment for at least one day per week for the duration of the course. If necessary, students will be assisted in sourcing a suitable volunteering opportunity through the university’s flagship Square Mile Project.

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