Leading Learning

Course Code: MMAMTG_05

Masters Level Module

The Leading Learning (LL) module is aimed at experienced teachers, whose expertise provides a practical foundation for, and informs a critical analysis of, the issues covered. The module aims to develop participants' understanding of their own learning, the learning of others, and the teacher's role in maximising both. Participants reflect on their own professional learning, student learning, teaching others and leading others in professional environments. Among other issues, readings and related discussions focus on the teacher, individual and wider professional contexts, teachers and students as partners in learning, and the school/college as a learning community.

The concept of leadership in teaching and learning is examined, and participants review their own understanding of leadership in the context of contemporary educational agendas. Teachers' subject knowledge is explored with reference to their classroom practice and theoretical analyses of teaching and learning. Typically, the module asks participants to engage with these issues through three online discussions, which consider personal and professional knowledge and narratives of experience, understanding learning, and teacher leadership for learning.

The taught sessions consist partly of tutors presenting material to stimulate exploration of the issues, and partly of participants sharing prepared input based on workplace experience.

Assessment is in two parts: a reflective journal (c. 2,000 words in length) which is based upon work undertaken in school/college, and draws on the online discussions; and a critical commentary (c. 3,000 words in length) of their participation in innovative pedagogical practice, as a manager, individual or team member. There will be a focus on subject knowledge, which includes looking at how involvement in innovation develops or reformulates the teacher's knowledge-base; on reflection as a scholarly activity, which goes beyond self-referential considerations of 'development'; and on implications for collaborative teacher learning and professional development. Students must be teaching in the UK for the duration of the module. Please contact mteach@ioe.ac.uk for further details.

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