Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EDUM064: Secondary Subject and Curriculum Studies (School Direct)

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The principal aims of the module are to:

  • enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the background theory, issues and practice relating to current teaching of your chosen subject;
  • support your development as a reflective and autonomous professional practitioner who is able to identify strengths and areas for development in your subject and curriculum knowledge;  
  • enable you to evaluate current professional practice in the context of developments in research and curriculum theory; and
  • support you to meet the standards for Qualified Teacher Status as required by the National College for Teaching and Learning.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. identify and evaluate educational concepts and issues related to the teaching of your chosen subject;
2. engage in critical debate about current educational issues drawing on evidence from theory, research and practice;
3. recognise pupils’ learning needs and interpret these learning needs in order to plan, teach, assess and evaluate lessons and schemes of work;
4. demonstrate confident academic and pedagogic subject knowledge to teach your chosen subject;
5. demonstrate secure understanding of the statutory requirements for teaching in schools in England.
Discipline-Specific Skills6. critically evaluate the relevance of educational theory to practice;
7. synthesise relevant educational literature in support of an argument;
8. use appropriate technologies for data handling and writing in education;
9. use research data in support of an argument in education.
Personal and Key Skills10. manage your own learning development;
11. learn effectively and be aware of your own learning strategies;
12. express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes;
13. work productively in different kinds of teams (formal, informal, project-based, etc); and
14. think creatively about the main features of a given problem and develop strategies for its resolution.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Allen J, et al (2012) Primary ICT: Knowledge, Understanding and Practice. 5th edition. Exeter, Learning Matters/Sage.

Arthur J, Grainger T. & Wray D (2010) Learning to Teach in the Primary School. 2nd edition. London, Routledge.

Capel, Leask and Turner (2016) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School. 7th edition. London, Routledge.

Dymoke, S. (ed) (2013) Reflective Teaching and Learning in the Secondary School. 2nd Edition. London. Sage.

Ellis, V. (ed) (2013) Learning and Teaching in Secondary Schools. 5th edition. London. Sage/Learning Matters.

Fautley, M. and Savage, J. (2007) Creativity in Secondary Education. Exeter. Learning Matters.

Hayes D (2009) Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools. Exeter, Learning Matters/Sage.

Littledyke M, Ross K and Lakin L (2013) Science Knowledge and Environment. 2nd edition. London, David Fulton/Routledge.

Medwell J, et al (2012) Primary English: Knowledge and Understanding (6th Edition). Exeter, Learning Matters/Sage.

Mooney C, et al (2012) Primary Mathematics: Teaching Theory and Practice. 6th edition. Exeter, Learning Matters/Sage.

Petty, G. (2009) Teaching Today A Practical Guide. 4th edition. Cheltenham. Nelson Thornes.

Pritchard, A. (Nov. 2013) Ways of Learning: Learning Theories and Learning Styles in the Classroom. 3rd edition London. Routledge/David Fulton.

Proctor A, et al (2012) Learning to Teach in the Primary Classroom. London, Routledge.

Skinner, D. (2010) Effective Teaching and Learning in Practice. London. Continuum                                                           

Wallace B (2012) Teaching Thinking Skills across the Primary Curriculum. London, Routledge.

Wilson A (2009) Creativity in Primary Education. 2nd edition. Exeter, Learning Matters/Sage.