Department of Education, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
ED30408: Primary education in practice |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours |
| Period: | Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW100 |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Supplementary assessment information not currently available (this will be added shortly) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description: | Aims: This unit is intended particularly for psychology or social science students who may be interested in a career in education. It provides students with an introduction to teaching and learning in the primary school. It aims to: * provide an opportunity for students to engage in observational practice. * become familiar with the scope of the national curriculum at Key Stage 1 or 2. * develop an understanding of the nature of learning and teaching in a primary school. * appreciate the role of assessment in learning. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students should be able to: * identify and describe key aspects of a classroom teacher's practice in the primary classroom; * explain the structure and purposes of the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2; * describe the curriculum for one of the core subjects at either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2; * explain the role of play in learning; * distinguish between the different modes of assessment (e.g. formative, summative) and discuss their impact on learning; * relate theoretical aspects of teaching and learning to the practice of teachers observed in the primary school. Skills: * Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (e.g. essays) (A) * Effective oral communication (F) * Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources (i.e. portfolio construction)(F/A) * Ability to relate theory with practice (T) * Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (A) * Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance * Retrieval and synthesis of information from a number of sources to develop propositions and arguments (T/A). Content: This unit considers teaching and theories of teaching within the context of the primary school. It includes a range of practical activities within a teaching context designed to illustrate theories underlying practice. The unit considers a range of issues such as the curriculum and how it is interpreted, planning for children's learning, the role of assessment, the purposes of play and the pastoral role of the teacher. The unit includes four Wednesday mornings spent in a local primary school. During these periods, students review the relationship between teaching and learning; consider issues related to teaching at Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2; explore the national curriculum and one of the three core subjects; and reflect on and evaluate their experiences. Through the school experience ideas introduced during the seminars can be observed in operation. |