Research and Professional Practice

Course Code: MMAMTG_04

Masters Level Module

The Research and Professional Practice (RPP) module is distinctive in that it takes an inductive approach to looking at research. Participants work together to construct a sharper understanding of research in education, through a critical engagement with research on teaching and learning. The focus of the module is an examination of what it means to be 'research literate'. This is in contrast to many research modules in more traditional Master's courses, in which participants are offered a more deductive approach that starts with 'accepted' definitions, before moving on to research approaches and methods. The module begins with an initial face-to-face discussion based on a starter task. The research-based learning is then extended by asking participants to engage with relevant issues and concepts through two online discussions, 'What is the value of research in education?' and 'What does good educational research look like?'. The taught sessions consist partly of tutors presenting material to stimulate discussion, reflection and analysis, and partly of participants sharing their reflections on using and then undertaking research in their own practice. Assessment is based upon two pieces of writing, each 2,250 words in length, produced in direct response to issues of teaching and learning in participants' current practice. These are a critical and informed analysis of a piece of recent research about teaching and learning, and a proposal for a small-scale practice-based enquiry. 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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