Educational Theory and Practice: Critical Reflection (145X3)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Autumn teaching

This module provides the foundation for the entire MA along with the accompanying 15-credit module Critical Reflection: Professional and Context-bound Learning.

These modules begin the process of relating theory to practice by analysing and evaluating the literature on critical reflection. In addition, you gain knowledge of substantive topics in education, and apply the process of critical reflection to some aspect of your professional life and practice.

In this second module on Critical Reflection, you deepen your theoretical and conceptual knowledge and understanding of a particular area of education identified in first of the two modules, by more extensive reading of the literature.

In doing so, you evaluate its significance to your own professional or context-bound learning. For example, you might choose to deepen understanding of any of a broad range of areas of education, such as theories of:

• children's learning and motivation (psychological, sociocultural, etc.)
• supporting students with English as an additional language or special educational needs and disabilities
• teacher development
• assessment
• learner-centred pedagogies
• curriculum development
• pedagogy for creativity.

As a full-time student, you're taught these two modules in a block of unified teaching. The learning outcomes for both modules are combined as befits the nature of these linked modules, both on aspects of critical reflection.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 267 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.