Course description
Structure and Content
For the award of the Postgraduate Certificate you must complete the following module:
Extending Professionalism: This module serves as the foundation for the rest of the programme. You will undertake a rigorous self-evaluation and participate in a critical survey of current issues and theoretical perspectives in education. Ideas about how we understand and value learners and the learning process, teaching and teaching strategies will be explored together with the changing nature of teacher professionalism and the basic principles of professional enquiry.
Plus one optional module chosen from:
Linked Option Modules: Each linked option module, outlined below, will initially concentrate on extending knowledge and understanding of a broad pedagogic theme within the framework of education for all and then focus on methods of investigation and intervention appropriate to that theme.
The linked option modules are:
Developing Contexts for Learning: Focuses on participation, inclusion and equality issues, with a view to examining the importance of ethos, culture and contexts for learning.
Developing Cognitive Capabilities: Focuses on inclusive practice and its implications for learning and learners. You will study constructions of the learner, looking at notions of intelligence and ability, and views of cognitive development.
For the award of the Postgraduate Diploma you must complete:
Extending Professionalism and one Option Module plus:
Improving Classroom Practice: This first major work-based element of the programme will seek to actively change and extend your practice in order to achieve enhanced outcomes for all pupils. The first phase consists of data collection and analysis in order to clarify an improvement strategy for the second phase which consists of an action project.
Collaboration and Professional Enquiry: This module builds on the understanding and skills developed during Improving Classroom Practice with an increased emphasis on the wider context and the teacher as an active leader contributing to the development of their local community of practice. The concept of professional enquiry is developed in greater depth and set within a shared agenda for professional development.
For the award of the MEd degree you must, in addition to modules required for the Postgraduate Diploma, complete:
Collaborative Project Part 1: This module builds on and extends the understanding and skills developed during Collaboration and Professional Enquiry. You will undertake the planning stages of your collaborative enquiry with your colleagues, while exploring the relevant research and literature ensuring that your enquiry is evidence informed.
Collaborative Project Part 2: You will carry out the collaborative enquiry proposed in the previous module under the supervision of an academic adviser. This project will enable you to demonstrate all the professional actions of the Chartered Teacher Standard, within the context of contributing to your professional communities.
Delivery and Assessment
The programme is delivered through a mixed mode of seminars, self-study materials and work-based action learning. Progress is assessed in a number of ways:
Extending Professionalism: Self evaluation and learning plan
An optional module: Proposal for action enquiry
Improving Classroom Practice: Project report and portfolio of evidence
Collaboration and Professional Enquiry: Assessed web discussion, and proposal for collaborative action enquiry
Collaborative Project Part 1: Interim report
Collaborative Project Part 2: Project report and portfolio of evidence
Career Opportunities
The programme provides continuing professional education, focusing on professional enquiry, which allows you to demonstrate that you meet the Standard for Chartered Teacher. The programme leads to both the award of a Master’s degree and Chartered Teacher status conferred by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
