Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will introduce the concept of innovation and examine if and how it can be applied to education. The module will aim to:
• introduce students to the concept of innovation in education by looking at a range of contemporary issues and themes;
• introduce students to the latest innovations in education in the UK and abroad;
• enable students to critically assess and analyse the successes and failures of different innovations;
• encourage students to consider potential future innovations and how they could impact on education and teaching.

Outline Of Syllabus

Each week, different examples of innovation in education will be examined from different countries around the world, with the aim of identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats:

• Innovation in teaching style
• Innovation in class organisation
• Innovation in the methods of assessment used in classrooms
• Innovation in the provision of special education in schools
• Innovation in the extent of teacher collaboration in schools
• Innovation in feedback mechanisms in schools
• Innovation in evaluation and hiring in schools
• Innovation in schools’ external relations

These themes integrate the material – using a variety of case studies to provide a central narrative encouraging critical appraisal and curiosity.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

• An appreciation of the complexity of terms such as innovation and an understanding of how they have developed over time.
• An awareness and understanding of the variety of factors affecting innovations in education.
• Knowledge and understanding of the different concepts, issues and thinkers in this field.

Intended Skill Outcomes

• Be able to critically evaluate arguments and evidence from a range of primary and secondary sources.
• Be able to work with others in group situations and articulate ideas and arguments to an audience.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module will introduce the concept of innovation and examine if and how they can be applied to education. It uses the formal lectures to provide an initial guide to impart this knowledge via interactive sessions. Weekly seminars are employed to allow smaller group discussion and activities which enable critical engagement with key themes, concepts and frameworks. Students also participate in planning and facilitating group presentations in seminars. Together, the lectures and seminars provide the basis through which advanced study of the complex role of education in international development can take place. Combined with the lectures and seminars, weekly drop-in tutorials with the students will be offered to provide extra support as and when necessary. These tutorials will invite students to reflect on their own learning practices, leading them to consider the areas they need further support and guidance.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment strategy is through oral presentation and writing assignments. These forms of assessments will allow the student to display the practical skills they have learned. Some forms of assessment are more appropriate to illustrating the skill of critical evaluation (such as the written assignments) whereas the capacity to define and formulate research problems, questions and hypotheses pertinent to international development and education issues may be best illustrated using oral presentations or written reports.

General Notes

N/A