EDF4610 - Interacting with research in education contexts - 2018

This unit orientates students to the field of education and engages them with academic traditions and scholarly practices in the field of education at the postgraduate level. Students review academic texts and research papers which represent diverse standpoints in understanding education. Students examine how education researchers position themselves within the field in terms of different theories and understandings of education. Students develop capacities in critical reading, analysis and synthesis and use these to prepare their own well-crafted and well-supported academic arguments in written and oral forms. Through this unit, students explore a topic or theme of interest to them, critically review the evidence related to it and practise building an academic argument related to this theme.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. identify a range of standpoints that characterise some key ideas in the field of education
2. critically read academic texts related to education research and identify the main theories and concepts which underpin these texts
3. conduct a review of academic literature in response to a thematic issue or question
4. build a convincing argument using education research and present this argument in both spoken and written form
5. demonstrate familiarity with academic practices and conventions that support academic engagement in the field of education.

Annotated bibliography (2000 words, 20%)

Oral presentation (1500 word equivalent, 20%) leading to a critical essay (3000 words, 50%)

Online learning activities (1500 word equivalent, 10%)

Flexible mode offers a stand-alone online offering that allows students to learn and engage in content and assessment in a supported way. It also provides a face-to-face component over the semester to engage students with the online learning content, which students can attend if they are able and interested.

Minimum total expected workload equals 288 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for flexible students:
   • 18 contact hours and 18 hours equivalent of online activities over the semester or
   • 36 hours equivalent of online activities over the semester
2. Requirements for offshore Kaplan-based students:
   • one intensive block (usually from Thursday to Sunday)
   • at least 14 hours of online study per term
3. Additional requirements (all students):
   • independent study to meet the minimum required hours per semester

See also Unit timetable information

Adult learning

Digital learning

Early childhood education

Educational leadership and policy

Expert teaching practice

General education studies

Inclusive and special education

Leadership

TESOL