QI7100 – Perspectives on Policy, Practice and Professionalism for Teachers
Assessment Schedule and Criteria
Students will be required to respond to session discussions based around a selected paper in an online forum. These discussions will be equivalent to 1000 words and will inform a 3000 word written assignment which will focus on the critical evaluation of specialist sources to develop a cogent and contextualised argument.
The assignment will be composed of a discussion about a selected set of journal articles on a module-focused topic. Students will also reflect about how their enhanced understanding of the chosen topic developed related aspects of their practice in order to make them reflective and research-informed practitioners.
Task 1 – Online Discussions
You should contribute to at least three discussions on Canvas for this module (equivalent of 1000 words). Each session will have discussion questions which can be accessed through the discussion board or the specific page for that session. Your contributions will involve you responding to a set of key question having read suggested articles for that week and having reflected on your own responses to the articles and practice. One of your discussions should involve you responding to or adding your thoughts to one of your peer’s discussions. The aim is to create a community of learners who can create meaningful discussions. These discussions should be submitted as part of the overall portfolio through Canvas.
Task 2 – Assignment
A critical review of a chosen element of research and practice.
Using the key article/online resource from one of the module themes evaluate how you adapted your teaching and the impact on learning having developed critical insights from theory and research. Discuss how this has impacted on your practice as a professional.
Theme Options – all themes can be contextualised according to the relevant age-phase:
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Situating teaching in current policy and practice debates – for instance the impact of pupil premium legislation on classroom practice
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Society and self. Values of the profession and professional identity. Professionalism – Part 2 of the Standards. Rights and responsibilities of teachers. – investigating the boundaries of teacher’s responsibilities in challenging situations.
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Otherness and belonging – how children are labelled and categorised. Who is in front of you in a class and how do you make an impact as a teacher? Our unconscious biases and how that affects teachers and learners. – investigating impact of labelling and unconscious biases
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Debates and discussions relating to SEN and how children are categorised and treated as ‘other’.
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Gifted and Talented pupils/Academically More Able
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Supporting wellness in schools and settings
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Standardised testing, data and performativity
Marking Criteria
Criteria for online discussions:
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Demonstrate high standards of professionalism in contributing to online discussions consistent with Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards (for Early Years EYTS there is no part 2)
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Develop critical responses to discussion board questions based on reflections which draw on theory and practice
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Communicates knowledge and understanding of the complexities and contradictions which emerge in theory and practice
Assignment Criteria
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Demonstrate deep and systematic knowledge and understanding of the chosen field from a critical viewpoint;
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Demonstrate understanding of specific processes and ability to critically analyse and evaluate debates and discussions about given topics;
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Demonstrate ability to reflect in relation to policy and practice dilemmas contextualising the topic decision and situating the self within it;
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Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate the impact of research on their professional practice.
When preparing your work for submission it is helpful to be familiar with the Grade Criteria for Level 7 and the University Level 7 Descriptors. These can be found at:
http://cdn.kingston.ac.uk/documents/aboutkingstonuniversity/howtheuniversityworks/policiesandregulations/documents/2017-18_AG02_University_level_descriptors_Vs1.pdf
http://cdn.kingston.ac.uk/documents/aboutkingstonuniversity/howtheuniversityworks/policiesandregulations/documents/2017-2018_AG07_University_grade_criteria_%20Vs1.pdf
