BA (Hons) Education Studies with Foundation Year

In this module you will be introduced to the field of comparative education and develop your knowledge of different education systems in Europe. You will also evaluate and interpret comparative education theories and concepts and relate this to European countries. As part of your learning you will have the opportunity to assess some of the key aspects of different education systems and make some judgements about influencing factors such as policy, culture and curriculum. You will explore the benefits and challenges of comparing education systems and consider the relationships between international approaches to education.

This module supports you in engaging with educational research and information sources, including the collection, and reporting of data to explore different perspectives or myths on current educational issues that inform practice. When developing your own knowledge and understanding in the module you will be able to identify and recognise how social media, fake news, government policy and research can inform educational practice and the benefits and challenges this can bring. As part of this module, you can develop your critical thinking and subsequently reflect on the development of your own personal academic skills as the module will incorporate academic skill development through the lens of considering different issues in education. Learning outcomes: LO1: Discuss a range of perspectives in relation to a key educational issue. LO2: Contrast academic sources in relation to educational issues LO3: Reflect on the development of your own personal academic practice.

In this module you will develop your knowledge and understanding of key theoretical perspectives which influence the study of Education. You will begin to question, 'What is Education?' and how educational theory influences contemporary educational systems. You will be given the opportunity to compare different theoretical perspectives and consider how these theories link to current educational policy. You will also be able to appreciate some of the challenges in relation to how educational theory and policy can impact upon practice. These challenges may include the balance of formal education, how individuals learn and the impact of digital technology.

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of issues surrounding inclusion, disability and diversity for children, young people and adults in educational settings. You be introduced to different types of disabilities and how they can be diverse in nature depending on individual need. By drawing on literature and research you will also be able to consider inclusion, disability and diversity as a social issue that goes beyond education and explore models of disability and inclusion. You will examine how the inclusion of individuals with disabilities into everyday activities involves practices and policies designed to identify and remove barriers. These include physical, communication, and attitudes that hinder the ability of children, young people and adults to have full participation in society. You will also examine the challenges that promoting inclusion, diversity and disability rights can present to current practitioners when working in educational settings and local communities.

As part of your learning on this module you will be introduced to current debates around safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. You will be encouraged to explore how policy, legislation and research evidence inform safeguarding practice. You will also consider the roles and responsibilities of all professionals to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults, and as part of this you will be encouraged to reflect on how professionals need to work together. You will explore how risk is managed and how families are supported by multi-agency teams, to ensure the well-being of all children, young people and vulnerable adults.

This module will provide you with an in-depth overview of key theories, issues and debates within wider social, economic, and political contexts that shape practice in schools, colleges, and universities in the 21st century within the UK and globally. As you develop your knowledge and understanding you will be able to appraise and reflect on how these issues relate to the challenges and opportunities experienced by current educational institutions and staff. These challenges and opportunities include, active learning, social media and technology, inequality, the structure of the curriculum and teacher retention.

This module gives you the opportunity to undertake a placement in a setting of your choice which is relevant to an aspect of your professional development. You will develop your knowledge of working with other professionals relevant to the context of your chosen placement. You will observe an aspect of your placement learning such as the role of practitioners, the environment, pedagogy and multi-agency working. As part of this module you will use research and literature to evaluate issues relating to your chosen topic. You will also explore models of reflective practice which will provide you with the opportunity to apply these alongside your experiential learning to assess your personal and professional learning.

In this module you will gain a critical understanding of contemporary issues relating to teaching and learning within the classroom and the impact these issues can have on children, young people, and adults. You will also gain knowledge of the underlying concepts, principles and factors identified within literature and research which shape contemporary teaching practice in early years settings, schools, colleges and universities. This will enable you to reflect on how these relate to the challenges and opportunities experienced by current educational institutions and staff. Content will include pedagogy, teaching standards, types of learning environments, learning theories, and the curriculum. You will also analyse factors which impact on children's, young people and adult learning and attainment including testing and assessment, the role of teaching support staff, and the quality of teaching

The module aims to introduce you to some of the social psychological influences which affect educational achievement. You will be encouraged to reflect on their own learning experiences and how learning may be determined by social psychological factors such as emotional insecurity, motivation, attitude to learning, self-regulation, self-identity, social cognition, group process and prejudice. You will draw on a range of theories and concepts to help you also examine social psychological perspectives, such as disadvantage, gender, teacher support, peer values and mental health and well-being to explain differences in academic attainment.

This module will explore exclusion from school and why some children are more likely to be excluded than others. You will have the opportunity to interpret statistical data, research and literature linking to exclusion from school and social justice and why all people should have equal access to education. Your learning on this module includes applying theories and concepts of social exclusion and social justice in educational contexts. You will also demonstrate the influences of government policy and the curriculum on school exclusion and the issues and challenges of social justice and exclusion from school.

This module will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the role of the practitioner when working with children, young people and families. You will explore and show critical understanding on the impact of adverse childhood experiences and other social issues that may affect young lives. As part of your learning you will develop a critical understanding of how policy impacts on a range of diverse and vulnerable families and the challenges that policy may present for you, the practitioner, in your day-to day role. Key theories and therapeutic interventions will be evaluated as your professional knowledge and skills of family support are enhanced.

The module aims to introduce you to issues in relation to learning and teaching in challenging educational settings. You will give particular attention to ‘challenging’ and 'effective' urban schools as well as critically evaluating improvement strategies that enhance academic achievement in a range of contexts. You will be encouraged to analyse the role of learners, educators, school leaders and other stakeholders such as the local community; as well as the impact of external factors such as the environment, educational policy, poverty and socio economically disadvantaged communities.

In this module you will be able to learn about the aims of comparative education and appraise the education systems of other countries globally. You will examine and compare educational theories and practices in countries as diverse as Japan, Germany, Finland and the USA. When comparing differences you be able to critically understand the relationship between education and society in terms of economic, social, cultural and political factors. As part of your learning you will have the opportunity to identify aspects that could be used for improvement of education in the UK, such as teaching practices, the role of the adult and the use of learning environments. You will also be able to evaluate the benefits and challenges of policy borrowing in terms of the development of global educational policy.

This module gives you the opportunity to critically explore perspectives on the processes of learning and teaching. You will be encouraged to develop your critical understanding of the nature and impact of factors on the learning and teaching process. This includes, meeting the individual needs of diverse learners, the classroom environment, social and emotional resilience and global and national educational theory and policy. It also enables you to connect current research perspectives on learning and teaching with the realities of day-day classroom practices.

In this module you will have the opportunity to consolidate, extend and challenge your understanding of the notion of social inclusion. You will be able to apply your renewed comprehension of social inclusion to appraise the position of specific groups in 21st century society, with a particular focus on disability. By drawing on theoretical perspectives, such as feminist ideologies, international outlooks, media representations and research studies, you will cultivate critical insights into social issues which underpin the lives, opportunities and challenges of those in disadvantaged or marginalised positions.

In this module you will explore a range of theories and concepts in relation to how inequalities are constructed in society. Throughout the module you will be encouraged to critically discuss the ways in which different social groups are represented within society, for example, through the mass media and government policy and how they are often marginalised and oppressed as a result of their portrayal in society. You will critically examine how inequalities can be challenged when developing provision to meet the needs of children, young people and families from a multi-agency perspective. You will also appraise the potential challenges that practitioners in multi-agency teams can encounter when working with excluded and marginalised children, young people and their families.