The Master of Educational Studies is a coursework degree designed primarily to meet the requirements of teachers, educators and educational administrators who wish to gain higher professional qualifications and expertise in education.
To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Educational Studies (MEdSt), students must complete either six subjects and a project (equal in weight to two subjects) or eight subjects. Students who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in the faculty must choose the project option. Exemptions may be granted for a maximum of two subjects to applicants who have either completed or partially completed a postgraduate BEdSt or equivalent higher qualification in this or another university. The subjects and project must form an integrated program of study to suit the candidate's individual background and needs. The proposed program should be discussed with the appropriate course adviser for approval at the time of applying for candidature. Classes in most subjects are held late afternoon and evening.
Selection and enrolment
Whilst the specific regulations governing the degree are set out elsewhere, in general terms to be eligible for admission applicants must hold either an approved three-year bachelor degree and an approved fourth year of study or an approved four-year bachelor degree. The course may be taken either full-time or part-time and it is expected that full-time candidates will complete all requirements within two years whilst part-time candidates will complete within four years.
Applications for admission in 1995 will close on 25 November 1994.
Course outline
Subjects available for the degree of Master of Educational Studies are set out in this chapter.
By resolution of the faculty board, each subject of the degree is offered conditionally upon there being a sufficient demand for it from enrolling students in any given year and conditionally on appropriate staff being available.
Research subjects
Subjects are available in the two areas of research methods and statistics. In research methods, the subject GED0801 (Educational research methodology) is designed to introduce students to a range of research methods and to help students undertaking research projects to make informed choices about research strategies. The subjects GED0803 (Naturalistic methods), GED0805 (Survey methods) and GED0806 (Research methods in the humanities) are designed to provide specialised guidance for project and thesis candidates who are focusing on a research topic that will involve the relevant research method. While prior completion of GED0801 (Educational research methodology) will provide valuable background for students in these subjects, it is not a prerequisite. Each subject is designed to be accessible to students without prior studies in research methods.
The subject GED0807 (Statistical analysis) is also available. It is suitable for students without prior studies in statistics and is designed to provide sufficient statistical expertise to enable students to conduct and report most of the statistical analyses common in empirical research studies.
The subject GED0809 (Technological skills in research) is designed to provide students with various computing skills. The subject consists of modules on statistical analysis, wordprocessing, ERIC literature searching, graphics, spread-sheets and data bases from which students make a selection.
Programs
Students should, in conjunction with a course adviser, choose subjects to fit their needs and interests. Students who choose the project option should bear in mind that the subjects and project together must form a coherent program of study. In order to help students in their choices, the particular programs of study in the areas described below have been approved. Students interested in pursuing a program of study within any of these areas should consult with the contact person named, who will provide them with further details, including an outline of the subjects available within the program, and advise them about the sequence in which these subjects can be taken.
Research methodology
Contact: Associate Professor G Rowley
This program allows students to undertake specialised training in research methodology and to supplement their studies if they wish with subjects in related areas or in the area of education in which they wish to undertake research. Students will commence with the subject GED0801 (Educational research methodology), which provides an introduction to issues and practice in a variety of research strategies, and then move on to subjects in one or more of the four specialised methods offered. In later years, students may specialise in quantitative methods, or in related areas such as measurement or evaluation in education.
Educational measurement
Contact: Dr P L Gardner, Professor A J Bishop and Associate Professor G Rowley
This program is designed to develop students' abilities to assess, quantitatively, the outcomes of learning. The following subjects are particularly relevant: GED0807 (Statistical analysis); GED4810 (Assessment of student learning), GED4811 (The measurement of attitudes) and GED0809 (Technological skills in research).
Asian studies
Contact: Dr M Woodward and Dr A Rice
This program is available to students interested in Asian studies and languages. It will be of value to social science, humanities and language teachers (including TESOL); nurse educators working in community health and development health; administrators and policy analysts; and students interested in naturalistic research methods. In general the program will comprise subjects providing a foundation to the teaching of Asian studies, relevant social science and humanities subjects and subjects focusing on particular fields such as curriculum development and development studies.
Policy studies
Contact: Associate Professor G Burke
A program in policy studies is available to students interested in the study of the nature of policies, the emergence of policy, policy formation, policy implementation and evaluation, and the design of policy. The program will be of value for work in policy analysis at school, regional or state level, and to those interested in undertaking critiques of policy and development of policy alternatives as individuals or as members of teacher and other associations. In general the program will comprise subjects providing a foundation to policy studies, relevant social science subjects, subjects focusing on policy in particular fields, and complementary subjects.
Educational administration
Contact: Dr L B Angus and Dr P Gronn
This program approaches issues in educational administration in such a way as to place them in their educational and social context. While the program is well suited to the needs of those seeking administrative positions and those already holding administrative positions in educational organisations, it also caters more generally to those with broad interests in various aspects of educational governance. The program fosters a reflective appraisal of various perspectives on educational administration and organisation as well as providing assistance in the development of knowledge and skill relevant to administrative practice.
Planning and management of education
Contact: Dr P Gronn
This program is intended for educators who are concerned with the planning and management of delivery systems for educational services. It focuses on the application of research-based knowledge to the improvement of education at central and local levels. Its aim is enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of school-based, regional and macro level delivery systems. Anticipated outcomes for participating students will be heightened awareness of conceptual and theoretical issues in policy and practice, along with improved levels of skills in applied research, management and planning. Electives include computer applications; human resource management; planning; curriculum management; and educational research.
International and development education
Contact: Dr A Rice
This program is designed for educators from third world countries and for others interested in the delivery of educational services in an international context. Its focus is on the application of research-based knowledge to the improvement of education for national development, viewed against a cultural and anthropological background. Supervision, planning, technological systems and human resource management are seen as vital in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of educational organisations. Derived from appropriate bodies of theory, skills and competencies are developed in the diagnosis of existing structures and procedures as well as in the implementation and monitoring of reform programs at central and local levels. Students will normally take two core classes and four electives, the latter drawn primarily from one elective stream. The elective streams include planning, management and computers; human resource development; development issues; curriculum and instruction; and educational research.
Philosophical studies in education
Contact: Associate Professor C W Evers
What happens in education depends on our ideas and values. A philosophical approach to educational issues is one that sets out to uncover and examine these themes. In this program of study, some subjects look at curriculum issues, such as the teaching of moral values, or the way views of knowledge influence curriculum planning. Others deal with ethical issues in administration, or more generally, with the aims of a school as a whole. The program is intended to provide professional educators with a background from which they can make informed assessment of theories, policies, and structures in education. It emphasises the analysis of arguments and the uncovering of principles which are often hidden from view in public discussion of education.
Historical studies
Contact: Professor R J W Selleck
This program focuses mostly on twentieth century historical issues, though some attention is paid to nineteenth century developments. The focus is principally on Australia though at least one of the subjects suggested has an international perspective. Considerable attention will be devoted to providing an historical background for problems which at present are affecting Australian education.
Australian studies program
Contact: Professor R J W Selleck
This program covers a wide range of subjects, each of which raises important issues about the nature of Australian society. Sometimes these issues fall directly in a disciplinary area (eg sociology, history, politics); at other times they arise from a particular social and educational problem, the discussion of which necessitates a study of developments in Australian society. The program should provide a useful background for teachers wishing to prepare VCE courses in this area.
English language and literacy studies
Contact: Associate Professor M Gill
This program offers a range of subjects which are designed for students who wish to specialise in studies relating to English language and literacy. The program would be useful for those teaching English, working in the field of literacy, either in school or out of school contexts, or designing curricula or policies in literacy-related areas. The program provides an introduction to a range of practical and relevant research approaches, and students are encouraged to build on their classroom or professional experiences as a base for specialised work in this area.
* GED2817 Language, society and cultural difference
* GED0806 Research methods in the humanities
* GED3809 Writing and computers
* GED3816 Issues in English literacy education
* GED3817 Literary studies and classroom practice
* GED3832 Functional analysis of discourse
* GED3836 Writing: theory research and practice
* GED3837 Adult literacy: policies, practices and theories
* GED3839 Approaches to research in literacy
* GED3842 Reading: theory, research and practice (distance)
Gender education
Contact: Dr G Tsolidis
A range of subjects offered in this faculty deal specifically with gender. There are also subjects which emphasise gender, although this may not be the primary focus. Within these subjects critical issues are examined including the ways femininity and masculinity are constructed; discrimination and the law; gender in the context of policy, administration and teachers' work; sex difference in the teaching of mathematics, science and technology; gender and language; and curriculum frameworks and strategies related to gender.
Science education
Contact: Associate Professor R F Gunstone
This program is concerned with learning, teaching and curriculum in school science. It aims to provide perspectives on developments in research and practice in science education, and to develop a range of skills from classroom practice to conceptions of purpose. The program is intended to be of value to all those concerned with the designing and implementing of school science education.
Mathematics education
Contact: Dr D C Blane or Professor A J Bishop
Students wishing to follow a strong mathematics education theme within their MEdSt course should find the following subjects of particular interest: GED4814 (Research in mathematics education); GED4819 (Catering for individual differences, assessment and learning in mathematics education); GED4820 (Gender issues in mathematics, science and technology education); GED4802 (Modern developments in mathematics education): GED4829 (Social and cultural perspectives on mathematics education).
Professional development for the classroom teacher
Contact: Mr L C Ingvarson
There are a number of subjects which are designed to relate closely to classroom practice and which could form the basis of an integrated program in professional development. These subjects cover such fields as psychology, assessment, teaching, curriculum and educational change, as well as recent developments in subject teaching.
Educational computing
Contact: Dr A McDougall
Within the MEdSt course students are able to undertake a program in educational computing which has been approved by the Department of School Education. A selection of at least four subjects should be made from GED4823 (Impact of computer technology on education), GED4824 (Computer programming for education), GED4816 (Evaluation and development of educational software), GED4822 (Computers, artificial intelligence and theories of learning) and GED2822 (Computer applications in educational management). These can be supplemented with subjects from areas such as curriculum, educational technology, psychology, special education or educational administration. An individual project on an educational computing topic is also required.
Research subjects
* GED0801 Educational research methodology
* GED0803 Naturalistic research methods
* GED0805 Survey research methods
* GED0806 Research methods in the humanities
* GED0807 Statistical analysis
* GED0809 Technological skills in research
* GED0810 Reading subjects in education
* GED3839 Approaches to research in literacy
* GED0811 Reading subjects in education
Group one: Psychology and special education
Group advisers: Dr G F Best and Associate Professor G N Molloy
The Master of Educational Studies subjects offered by group one are designed to relate recent developments and findings in research to the practice of classroom teaching, school counselling and the education of exceptional children. Most subjects are open to students without a background in psychology, but generally some experience in teaching or other applied settings is desirable and is especially relevant in many of the special education subjects, which include a practicum as a central element.
Designated masters subjects which can be taken by BEdSt students who have achieved credit level or above in three BEdSt subjects are marked with an asterisk.
* GED1802 Cultural psychology*
* GED1805 Cognitive psychology, learning and teaching
* GED1806 Communication disorders in children and adults*
* GED1807 Anxiety disorders*
* GED1808 Adolescent development and its educational implications*
* GED1809 Advanced studies in learning disabilities
* GED1811 Studies in special education A
* GED1812 Studies in special education B
* GED1813 Behavioural problems in children*
* GED1814 The psychology of the gifted child (1996 and alternate years)*
* GED1815 Intellectual disability*
* GED1816 Special education: practice and placement
* GED1817 Counselling, guidance and pastoral care in schools*
* GED1820 Behaviour change strategies for teachers
* GED1833 Health psychology and biopsychosocial research*
* GED1835 Computers and human learning*
* GED1837 Psychological, physical and social components of health education*
See also under group four subjects:
* GED4805 The academically gifted child: problems and issues
* GED4819 Catering for individual differences, assessment and learning in mathematics education
Group two: Social, administrative, comparative and policy studies
Group adviser: Dr A M Rice
In the MEdSt program, group two offers advanced subjects in areas related to contemporary issues in education and society. Areas of study include anthropology, economics, politics and sociology of education, educational administration and management, educational planning and policy analysis, comparative and international education, gender and social change, youth studies, social education in schools (including economics, geography and social studies), and industrial relations in education. They are designed to help students extend their professional development and competence in their work as teachers or lecturers, coordinators, consultants or counsellors, administrators or managers, planners, policy analysts, researchers, curriculum or other specialists in both education and other helping professions such as nursing and social welfare.
Group two also sponsors or co-sponsors faculty programs in education and the human condition, educational administration, social education, planning and management of education, international and development education, education of girls, policy studies, Australian studies, and research methodology.
A wide range of projects, involving studies or applications, can be undertaken in relation to group two areas of interest and associated subjects, or the more specialised research and other professional interests of individual staff members.
Students planning to undertake such projects should consult the group advisers or the lecturer whose specialisation is most relevant to their interests.
Designated masters subjects which can be taken by BEdSt students who have achieved credit level or above in three BEdSt subjects are marked with an asterisk.
* GED2802 Comparative studies (the role of education in third world development)
* GED2803 Economics, finance and educational policy
* GED2804 Policy studies
* GED2805 Gender and education
* GED2814 Advanced studies in teaching Asian language (summer school)
* GED2816 Study Asia in Asia (summer school)
* GED2817 Language, society and cultural difference
* GED2819 Ethics and educational administrators*
* GED2823 Administration and planning in developing countries*
* GED2825 Education, the community and the administrator
* GED2826 Leaders and leadership
* GED2827 Leaders and followers*
* GED2830 Management of the curriculum
* GED2832 The management of staff in educational organisations*
* GED2834 Industrial relations in education (summer school)*
* GED2835 Aboriginal education*
* GED2841 Resource management in educational institutions
* GED2844 The social context of early childhood services
* GED2845 Issues in the decentralisation of a school system (summer school)
* GED2846 Asian studies in education
* GED2847 Teaching to difference: curriculum frameworks and strategies
* GED2848 Gender and cultures of control
* GED2849 Educational policy sociology
* GED2850 The Sociology of Australian education
* GED2851 Education and society in the Asia-Pacific region
Group three: Studies in philosophy, history, language, literacy and the law and education
Group advisers: Associate Professor C Evers and Ms L Farrell
Designated masters subjects which can be taken by BEdSt students who have achieved credit level or above in three BEdSt subjects are marked with an asterisk.
* GED3801 Legal issues and the exceptional individual
* GED3802 Philosophy, education and the curriculum
* GED3803 Issues in health education
* GED3804 Education and the nature of language
* GED3805 Moral education
* GED3806 History of public policy in Australian education*
* GED3809 Writing and computers*
* GED3812 Educational applications of second language acquisition research+
* GED3815 Practical applications of research in second language education+
* GED3816 Issues in English literacy education
* GED3817 Literary studies and classroom practice
* GED3818 Communicative language teaching+
* GED3820 Who framed the curriculum? A historical investigation*
* GED3822 Education and the law
* GED3823 Theory and practice of TESOL+
* GED3827 Teaching languages for specific purposes - theory, content and method+
* GED3828 Education, aesthetics and the arts
* GED3830 Language teaching syllabus design+
* GED3832 Functional analysis of discourse
* GED3833 Theory and practice of second-language education+
* GED3835 Issues in arts education*
* GED3836 Writing: theory, research and practice
* GED3837 Adult literacy: policies, practices and theories
* GED3838 Historical development of school music in Australia
* GED3839 Approaches to research in literacy
* GED3840 Assessment in foreign and second-language education+
* GED3841 A tale of three countries, 1950-1993: higher education in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States
* GED3842 Reading: theory, research and practice
+ The above listed subjects are designed principally for teachers of second or foreign languages (see GradDipTESOL, MTESOL, GradDipSLE, GradDipTAL).
Group four: Science, mathematics, technology, curriculum and evaluation studies
Group adviser: Dr P L Gardner
There are six areas of educational studies with which the subjects offered by group four are associated, namely curriculum, teaching and professional development; evaluation in education; science and environmental education; mathematics education; technology education; educational computing and educational technology.
Designated masters subjects which can be taken by BEdSt students who have achieved credit level or above in three BEdSt subjects are marked with an asterisk.
* GED4801 Teacher evaluation*
* GED4802 Modern developments in mathematics education
* GED4803 Technology in the curriculum
* GED4804 Computer control and interfacing in education*
* GED4805 The academically gifted child: problems and issues*
* GED4806 Educational change and teacher development
* GED4807 Curriculum research and evaluation
* GED4808 Instructional video*
* GED4810 Assessment of student learning
* GED4811 The measurement of attitudes*
* GED4813 Research in science education*
* GED4814 Research in mathematics education
* GED4815 Environmental education*
* GED4816 Evaluation and development of educational software
* GED4817 Research on teaching*
* GED4819 Catering for individual differences, assessment and learning in mathematics
* GED4820 Gender issues in mathematics, science and technology education*
* GED4821 Instructional materials and resources development*
* GED4822 Computers, artificial intelligence and theories of learning
* GED4823 The impact of computer technology on education
* GED4824 Computer programming for education
* GED4825 Issues in primary education*
* GED4826 Open learning, instructional design and information technologies
* GED4827 Instruction via telecommunications*
* GED4828 Technology, science and society
* GED4829 Social and cultural perspectives on mathematics education
* GED4830 Developing the reflective practitioner
* DES5700 Design and technology education