Researching Education Practice (SEC)

Subject EDUC90758 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

January, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 05-Jan-2015
Teaching Period 12-Jan-2015 to 16-Jan-2015
Assessment Period End 17-Apr-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 06-Jan-2015
Census Date 30-Jan-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 13-Mar-2015

February, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 19-Jan-2015
Teaching Period 02-Feb-2015 to 06-Feb-2015
Assessment Period End 01-May-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 21-Jan-2015
Census Date 13-Feb-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 27-Mar-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

During the pre-teaching period students will be required to complete pre-reading of the set texts and LMS listed resources. Pre teaching for the January availability also involves completion of a previous research experience survey on LMS to assist in seminar groupings.



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours consisting of 1) six campus based seminars, and 2) six online modules
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites:

Students must have completed 150 points of study in the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Corequisites: None
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

Ms Kira Clarke

Contact

Contact Us
Call: 13 MELB (13 6352)

Subject Overview:

This is the first of two subjects that all Master of Teaching students complete as part of their Capstone experience. Incorporating campus-based seminars and online modules, the subject 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 subject will also introduce the research topics that students can choose from for their capstone research 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 are two assessment tasks:

  • Written task of 1400 words, due mid-semester, 35%
  • A research proposal equivalent to 2600 words, due at the end of the semester, 65%

There is one hurdle requirement:

  • completion of six 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: https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/current/MC-TEACHSA
Related Course(s): Master of Clinical Teaching
Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Download PDF version.