TE6673 - Professional Studies 3

You will learn through lectures, tutorials, and independent learning. Through the professional tutorial system you will be supported in your development throughout the module. You participate in a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops which will provide you with opportunities to reflect on your school-based experiences and develop an appreciation of the importance of integrating practice and learning theory. This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of learning and teaching issues related to current practice in primary education. You will learn about the nature of pedagogy and how it is central to your professional practice as a teacher and be encouraged to make links between theory and practice by reflecting on your observations and experience in the classroom. Your learning will be situated in distinct ‘communities of practice’ where experiential, collaborative and individualised strategies will enable you to develop the personal, professional and transferable skills associated with becoming an Early Career Teacher (ECT). There will be a strong emphasis on our widening partnership with professionals in schools as you look towards future job applications and gaining subsequent employment.

Successful academic achievement requires a system of robust support and guidance to help you focus on your learning needs. In addition to the pastoral support you will receive, the tutors involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic counselling to ensure that you are able to confidently engage with the academic rigour of this module. This dialogue will be face to face in lectures, seminars or tutorials and is an essential aspect of the programme’s assessment for learning strategy. Extensive support is also accessible online as part of the University’s commitment to technology enhanced learning. This employs the use of the e-learning portal (Blackboard including Pebble+) and social networking and collaborative tools.

A central feature the academic support available to you is the service provided by the University Library. This 24/7 service caters for all your learning needs, has extensive access to electronic texts and tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and analytical writing.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Secure your understanding of the changing nature and complexity of developing role of the teacher as a professional, through participating in reflective and critical debate upon issues that impact upon the underpinning thinking of; government initiatives, policy, legal requirements and responsibilities, other agencies and governing bodies and partnerships with a variety of people including parents, colleagues and other professions and professionals in education.
2. Critically reflect upon major issues relating to the development of a coherent and flexible understanding of learning, thinking, teaching and creativity within your future role as an Early career teacher (ECT).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Critically reflect upon and analyse your own development as an autonomous professional related to your experience in educational contexts across the relevant age phase(s) ) and demonstrating correct application of all aspects of Standard English, e.g. spelling, punctuation and grammar

4. Utilise the professional body requirements, literature in the field (including inspection and research evidence) alongside the taught elements of this module and your learning in educational contexts, in order to analyse the above to develop your personal professional profile and support your future employability.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Recognise your personal and professional responsibility for continuing professional development as part of life-long learning in a profession, set personal targets for your development and recognise your areas of strength; in preparation for the transition to becoming an Early Career Teacher.

Due to the professional nature of the programme and the external regulatory body for teachers, all the module level objectives above also contribute directly to your ability to: be recommended for QTS, via an (ICT based) professional portfolio across the relevant age phase(s)

Formative Assessment (Semester 1)

Students will be supported to use their ILDP (Individual Learning & Development Portfolio). Throughout Semester 1 students will continue to log their experience and learning using the templates that form the structure of the ILDP and begin to build evidence linked to achieving Qualified Teachers Status. Personal Guidance Tutors provide guidance and support throughout the Autumn Term and give formal, formative feedback at the end of Semester 1.
(IPSA 3)

Summative Assessment (End of Semester 2)
Presentation of completed ILDP & Professional Viva
The student will present this to a tutor/moderator as their evidence base of academic and professional learning.
KU (1,2, 3) IPSA (3,4), PVA (5)
2,500 words Equivalent

Educational Research and Enquiry 1 & 2
Educational Placements 1 & 2
Professional Studies 1 & 2

Educational Research & Enquiry 3
Educational Placements 3
Curriculum Studies 3

In this module you will consolidate your critical understanding of the roles and responsibilities that impact on the developing role of the teacher as a professional in relation to Qualified Teachers Status. In particular the module aims to enable you to consider your own continuing professional development in relation to your transition into the induction year of teaching as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). The module will help you to consider a range of issues in relation to the legislation for education and the child and family. You will analyse major issues relating to the development of a coherent and flexible understanding of learning, thinking and teaching within your future role as a primary teacher. You will be able to critically reflect upon the role and purpose of government initiatives, legal requirements and responsibilities, other agencies and governing bodies and partnerships with a variety of people including parents, colleagues and other professions and professionals, enabling you to discuss the knowledge required for you to work in multi-professional contexts.

You will debate the complexities and implications of the research and inspection evidence on the role of the teacher as a professional, enabling you to synthesise, analyse and reflect upon evidence of your own development towards becoming an ECT, collected via your personal professional portfolio. You will become responsible for your personal and professional continuing professional development as part of your lifelong learning within the teaching profession. To this end, you will be able to critically reflect upon and analyse your own development as an autonomous professional and to set personal targets for development which build on your areas of strengths. You will be supported to prepare you for the transition into the teaching profession and gain employment and demonstrate an outstanding use of technology, all of which will enhance your employment potential.