Contemporary Issues in Teaching - EDU00005M
Module summary
This module introduces students to a range of issues faced by beginning teachers in the early part of their careers. We focus on key areas pertinent to the skills, topics and issues that teachers need to critically engage with. Students have the opportunity to critically reflect upon these areas from a UK and international perspective.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
This module will explore some of the key issues in teaching facing beginning teachers in the early part of their career.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
- A critical understanding of government policy in the light of educational theory and reflections on teaching practice, with particular reference to: equity; pupil motivation and behaviour; and learning, assessment and target setting.
- A critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the structure and content of the national curriculum.
- A critical understanding of practice in selected aspects of teaching, learning and assessment in curriculum areas.
- A critical understanding of the nature of professional development with respect to teaching.
Academic and graduate skills
- Able to critically analyse and communicate theoretical frameworks and research findings.
- Aware of issues concerning the collection and interpretation of research data.
- Able to identify relevant research literature.
- Able to develop and make use of ICT skills.
Module content
Course outline
Week 2: Beginning teachers
Week 3: Classroom language
Week 4: Teacher Satisfaction and Motivation
Week 5: Learning Outside the Classroom
Week 6: Discipline
Week 7: Assessment
Week 8: Pupil Wellbeing
Week 9: Sexism
Week 10: Helping troubled pupils
Course details
Week 2 - Beginning teachers.
This session introduces the central themes of this module in the context of recent policy developments and the needs of beginning teachers.
Week 3 - Violence in schools.
This session introduces the key aspects of violence in schools and what this means for the roles and responsibilities of teachers and their classroom practice in protecting children.
Week 4 - Teacher satisfaction and motivation.
This session looks at the nature of teacher satisfaction and motivation and explores the factors which influence these.
Week 5 - Pupil well-being.
This session looks at the nature of pupil well-being and the factors that influences it.
Week 6 - Discipline.
This session introduces the key aspects of maintaining discipline in terms of school policy and classroom practice.
Week 7 - Assessment.
This session introduces the key aspects of assessment and what this means for classroom practice.
Week 8 - Learning outside the classroom.
This session introduces the uses that can be made for learning outside the classroom.
Week 9 - Classroom language.
This session introduces the key aspects of the way language is used in the classroom and what this means for improving practice.
Week 10 - Helping troubled pupils.
This session considers the issues involved in helping troubled pupils.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Assessment - Information.
An essay of 3,500 words in length on a topic covered in the course or negotiated with the tutors.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Written feedback on assignment report sheet and face-to-face feedback in supervisions. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.
Indicative reading
Carden, C. (ed). (2018). Primary Teaching: Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools Today. Learning Matters