Researching Education Practice Prim B

Subject EDUC90770 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 02-Mar-2015 to 15-May-2015
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 17-Mar-2015
Census Date 27-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 15-May-2015

July, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 22-Jun-2015
Teaching Period 06-Jul-2015 to 10-Jul-2015
Assessment Period End 09-Oct-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 24-Jun-2015
Census Date 17-Jul-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 04-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 hours consisting of three campus-based seminars (approximately 9 hours) and three online modules (approximately 9 hours).
Total Time Commitment:

85 hours

Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Richard Sallis

Contact

Contact Us
Call: 13 MELB (13 6352)

Subject Overview:

This is the second in a series of subjects that all Master of Teaching students complete as part of their Capstone experience. Master of Teaching Primary students complete two 6.25 point subjects (Researching Education Practice Prim A and B) followed by a 12.5 point subject Education Research Project.

Incorporating campus-based seminars and online modules, Researching Education Practice Prim A and B will introduce students to different approaches to teacher led research and examine the important role of research in enabling educators to transform educational practices. Topics that will be examined include: undertaking ethical teacher research; accessing, gathering and critically analysing evidence from primary and secondary sources; writing up research, and; translating research into practice. Together these topic areas will provide students with the confidence, knowledge and skills to plan and carry out their own small-scale investigations for their Capstone project and future professional work.

The specific focus of Researching Education Practice Part B will be on assisting students to become critical consumers of education research and the steps that are taken to be producers of knowledge about learning and teaching. Other topics that will be covered include: how to conduct interviews; different forms of observation based research, and; different approaches to data analysis. Students will also produce a research proposal for their capstone project.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject, teacher candidates should be able to:

  • Use appropriate methods to collect data about the practices of learning and teaching
  • Appreciate values and ethical dimensions of practitioner research
  • Analyse data collected by themselves and critically appraise research presented in journal articles, policy documents and reports
  • Understand how to represent research findings in textual and other forms
  • Use research findings to advance education theory and practice
Assessment:

There is one assessment task:

  • A research proposal equivalent to 2000 words due at the end of the subject, 100%

The hurdle requirement is:

  • Satisfactory completion of three online modules due throughout the semester

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Prescribed Texts:

O’Toole, J., & Beckett, D. (2010), Educational Research – Creative Thinking & Doing, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students will have knowledge and skills that will enable them to:

  • Understand the significance of developing their practice on the basis of research evidence
  • Conduct education research in an ethical manner
  • Undertake data management, analysis and report writing using small-scale qualitative and quantitative data sets
  • Apply research findings with creativity and initiative to professional practice
  • Plan and execute their capstone research project
Links to further information: http://education.unimelb.edu.au/

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