Unit name | Trends in Science Education Research |
---|---|
Unit code | EDUCM4001 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Dr. Cattermole |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Education |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will introduce and evaluate past, recent and ongoing work in science education research. The emphasis will be on developing understanding of research work, which has been conducted in the UK and overseas, and on the development of participants' skills in interpreting and evaluating this work. Notions of evidence-based practice and other strategies for translating research work into classroom practice will also be considered. The future needs of classroom practitioners will also be discussed.
Aims:
The teaching strategy will employ three broad approaches, where appropriate, with the aims of contextualising as well as theorising issues of central importance, the development of student autonomy, and the individualisation of study and support. These are:
Face to Face Teaching
Examples here include large and small group teaching methods, including presentations from staff and experienced professionals, debates, case study analyses, student presentations and practical workshops.
ELearning ELearning approaches will be used to facilitate individualised study and support within the broad parameters of the units and programme. These will include: on-line discussion (with individuals and groups, online supervision and peer mentoring, guidance and feedback. Critical use of Web resources will be encouraged. Research Where appropriate, for example in order to provide data for analysis or to support a dissertation study, the use of action research, small-scale empirical studies and observations of professional practice will be encouraged and facilitated.
The assignment will comprise either
1. A presentation on an in-depth evaluation of an existing science education research study or theme (to be negotiated with tutor)
AND
2. A report describing a science education research proposal aimed at a grant-funding body.
The assignment will require a literature review analysing a range of texts and articles relevant to the assignment context and critical reflection linking this literature to the evidence presented. It should include a bibliography.
Total: equivalent to 4,000 words