EDF5864 · Researching education policy and practice

Overview

This unit builds your capacity to research education policy and practice. You will use data, including reviews of literature, policies and professional learning opportunities, to inform your practice and develop an evidence base for this practice. You will apply principles and methods of educational research that you have learned about by developing a research proposal and literature review. You will then demonstrate your capacity to generate and use data ethically and analyse its significance by conducting a small-scale research project. This is focused on examining policies or practice in an education setting, school or classroom, using a range of methods that may include focus groups, interviews, self-study, action research, participant observation, document analysis and artefacts. Finally, you will demonstrate a clear and coherent exposition of the knowledge you have gained through the presentation of your findings to your peers during a poster session, and in a written report. The written report will also include a critical discussion of how your research has supported your professional learning. This unit is delivered in the final year of your course to provide you with the opportunity to build on the skills and knowledge gained throughout your course thus far. You will demonstrate your capacity to review, consolidate and communicate key knowledge and skills related to your practice and justify reasons for your decisions using research-based evidence in effective ways.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. demonstrate the capacity to research teaching and learning by generating data ethically and critically and analysing its significance
2. develop, conduct and report on a small-scale project on a professional practice or policy related topic
3. demonstrate a clear and coherent exposition of the knowledge you have gained in written and oral forms
4. critically discuss how educational research supports professional learning and improves student learning outcomes
5. articulate relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 24 hours* of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement. *Subject to variation due to professional experience requirements

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.