ED4T005 - Reflective Practice – Developing Research and Enquiry to Become Agents of Change 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ED4T005
Module Title: Reflective Practice – Developing Research and Enquiry to Become Agents of Change
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: ITE and Education Practice
Faculty Sub Group: Initial Teacher Education
Module Leader: Claire Pescott
Module Team: Christopher Williams, Amanda Thomas, Catrin Devonald
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 60 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 99
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100511 - primary teaching
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To refine and extend student teachers’ critical evaluation of the history of education and education policy in Wales up to the present day.

To extend a systematic and coherent body of knowledge within a cluster of primary curriculum Areas of Learning & Experience.

To encourage innovation and imagination through synthesis of previous skills and knowledge in a range of creative learning activities.

To refine and apply theories about classroom practice and pedagogy to student teachers’ own practice.

To further develop students’ understanding of the Twelve Pedagogical principles to include a deeper understanding of the social and psychological factors that influence learning.

To work collaboratively with others to contribute to the achievement of the descriptors for Qualified Teacher Status identified in the Professional standards for teaching and leadership (Welsh Government, 2017).

To review key curriculum policy documentation as part of critical reflection and consider implications for personal and professional practice.

To extend student teachers’ understanding of current educational issues in order to evaluate their impact on pupils’ learning and the raising of standards in primary schools.

To develop student teachers’ critical evaluation and use of educational research, and their own practical school experience, to further establish links between research, theory and practice in learning contexts.

To address the challenges associated with curriculum design and how this will be assessed and the importance of tailoring this in order to meet the needs of learners.

Content Summary

This module focuses on developing student teachers’ inquiry, critical evaluation and reflection upon the following:

• Theories and research about pedagogy and human development, including implications for a student teacher’s professional identity, values and ethos.

• The history of education and of education policy in Wales.

• The aims purposes and organisation of other education settings (e.g. Early Years settings, Pupil Referral Units), which may impact upon learners’ transition.

• Current legislation, including an understanding of the Curriculum Cymreig and Welsh language requirements.

• The various and competing requirements of teacher practice, including engaging meaningfully and constructively with reform.

• The impact of signature pedagogies and the application of pedagogical principles to build pedagogical content knowledge and technological pedagogical content knowledge.

• The diverse and changing nature of the school population in Wales and the relevance of this to teaching and learning.

• The complex influences of personal, social and cultural factors on teachers and learners.

• Effective evidence-based strategies, including curriculum design and planning, to meet the needs of all learners from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds to ensure equity.

• Effective, evidence-based strategies for communicating assessment and other performance data appropriately to learners, their parents/carers and teaching colleagues.

• Effective, evidence-based strategies to utilise literacy and numeracy skills, knowledge and understanding to support and develop learners’ understanding of other areas of learning.

• Effective, evidence-based strategies to utilise digital competence, knowledge and understanding to support and develop learners’ understanding of their learning.

• Theories of managing the learning environment to support learners to make effective progress.

• Critical theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical skills to select, use and ‘blend’ a wide range of innovative teaching approaches and materials, driven by the Pedagogical Principles of the new curriculum, to stimulate, support and challenge all learners.

• Collaborating with colleagues to improve outcomes for learners.

• The systematic use of data to evaluate impact and effectiveness of learning experiences and to inform future planning.

• The use of school, regional and national data and research evidence to inform action inquiry, considering the way that teachers critically reflect to develop their classroom practice and impact upon wider school improvement.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Seminar 68
Tutorial 8
Project supervision 48
External visits 8
Independent Study 380
Directed Study 32
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 8
Total Hours Selected 600

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically review an aspect of an existing school development plan to further support school development, taking account of appropriate data sets and wider Welsh Government requirements.
LO2 Critically review and evaluate research and effective evidence-based pedagogical approaches, including the use of digital technologies, to enhance learning and teaching and to meet the needs of all learners.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) E-book detailing critical reflections on research, theory and practice in learning and teaching linked to the school improvement plan Critically reflective close-to-practice project that documents and evaluates a range of evidence and experiences 0 5000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Portfolio of article reviews Essays exploring research and evidence-based approaches focused on three journal articles and an over-arching summary linking them together 0 5000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Indicative Reading – Essential Reading Materials
Baumfield, V. (2013) Action Research in Education; learning through practitioner enquiry. London Sage
Bell, D. & Ritchie R. (1999) Towards Effective Subject Leadership in the Primary School. Oxford: OUP
Boyle, C., Topping, K. (2012) What Works in Inclusion? Maidenhead: Open University Press
Coles, M., Southworth, G. (2004) Developing Leadership: Creating the Schools of Tomorrow. England. OUP
Conteh,J. (2015) 2nd ed. The EAL Teaching Book. SAGE
Estyn (2008) The use of performance data in local authorities and schools, March 2008, Cardiff, Crown Copyright.

DCELLS (2008) School Effectiveness Framework, Building effective learning communities together, Cardiff, WAG.
Dean, J. (2004) Subject Leadership in the Primary School: A Practical Guide for Curriculum Coordinators. London: David Fulton Publishers.
Estyn (2011) A self-evaluation manual for primary schools 2010, Cardiff, Crown Copyright.

Estyn (2013) Working together to tackle the impact of poverty on educational achievement.
Field, K., Hoult, L., Hughes, S. (2005) Improve Your Leadership Skills: 130 Management Development Activities for Middle Leaders: Readymade Tools for Subject Leaders and Middle Managers. York: Optimus Education
Goepel J, Childerhouse H, Sharpe S, (2015) Inclusive Primary Teaching. A critical approach to equality and special educational needs and disability. Critical Publishing

Grant, D. (2010). That’s the way I think: dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD explained. London: Routledge
Lindon, J. Webb, J. (2016) Safeguarding and Child Protection. Hodder Education

Morgan, N., Ellis, G. (2011) A Kit Bag for Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Classroom. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

OECD (2014), Measuring Innovation in Education: A New Perspective, OECD Publishing, Paris.

Pollard, A. (ed) (2010) Professionalism and Pedagogy – A contemporary opportunity. A commentary by the Teaching and Learning Research Programme and the General Teaching Council for England, London: TLRP.

Pritchard, A. (2009) Ways of Learning; Learning Theories and Learning Styles in the Classroom. London: David Fulton Publishers.

Rogers, B. (2002) Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide to Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Support. London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

Shank, G., Brown, L. and Pringle, J. (2018) Understanding education research: a guide to critically reading the literature. 2nd edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
(Understanding education research – Chapter 3)

Wider reading from library services:
https://rl.talis.com/3/southwales/lists/9A6008C0-AE98-7B9B-D631-3B0982194FE9.html?lang=en&login=1
Symonds, J. (2015) Understanding School Transition: What happens to children and how to help them. UK: Routledge.

Welsh Assembly Government.(2006) Behaviour In Wales – Good Practice in Managing Pupils’ Behaviour That Challenges Schools. Cardiff: WAG.
Welsh Assembly Government. (2011) Safeguarding of Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation. Cardiff:

Welsh Government (2010) Exploring Education Transitions for Pupils aged 6-8 in Wales. Welsh Government: Cardiff

Welsh Government. (2014) Minority ethnic achievement in education in Wales. Cardiff

Welsh Government, (2017) Additional learning needs (ALN) transformation programme: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-09/additional-learning-needs-aln-transformation-programme-v2.pdf (Accessed January 18th 2020).
Supplementary Reading Materials
Burton, M., Pavord, E. and Williams, B.( 2014) An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Sage.

Estyn. (2010) Transition plans and grant – An evaluation of the impact of transition plans and grant on primary and secondary school partnerships at Key Stage 2 and 3. Cardiff: Estyn.

Estyn. (2011) Supporting more able and talented pupils in primary schools, Cardiff: Estyn

Leung, C. (2010) English as an additional language: approaches to teaching linguistic minority students. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Powell, S. (2012) Autism and learning: A guide to good practice. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

Welsh Assembly Government, (2010), Unity and Diversity, Cardiff: Welsh Assembly Government.

Welsh Government (2010) A curriculum for all learners: Guidance to support teachers of learners with additional learning needs. Available at:
https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/11124/1/100426curriculumforlearnersen.pdf
(Accessed: 17 October 2019).

Welsh Government (2019) Professional Standards. Available at:
https://hwb.gov.wales/professional-development/professional-standards
(Accessed: 17 October 2019)