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March 2013 Intake - Course Structure & Schedule


For information and further details, please send your e-mail to:
Dr. Joseph Tan,
Director, Hwa Chong Institution Boarding School,
Singapore
 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 1

Qualitative Inquiry (EDUC5634)

6 pts

16 - 19 March 2013

25 hours

 

This unit gives an overview of present-day qualitative research methods. It includes historical background, the philosophical context and paradigm considerations. It focuses particularly on design and strategy in qualitative research and on the collection and analysis of qualitative data. It also covers developing and writing qualitative research proposals and writing qualitative research reports.

Students are able to understand the background to the present day emphasis on qualitative methods in educational research; appreciate the diversity and complexity of qualitative empirical enquiry; understand the role of philosophical issues in qualitative enquiry; know the main strategies and designs for qualitative research; know the different methods of collecting and analysing qualitative empirical materials; and know how to write a qualitative research proposal.

Unit coordinator/s

  • Winthrop Professor Anne Chapman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 2

Approaches to Research (EDUC5631)

6 pts

10 - 12 September 2013

25 hours

 

 

This unit provides an introduction to research methods (quantitative, qualitative and analytic-interpretive studies). There are four sections:

  • (1) the nature and historical background of research in education;
  • (2) an overview of quantitative research methods;
  • (3) an overview of qualitative research methods; and
  • (4) proposal development and the writing of research reports, with emphasis on master's dissertations and theses.

Each student undertakes a 5000-word project in a research area of their choice. The project should identify an area of research; identify within the area of research a research aim(s) and/or a research question(s); broadly sketch the context within which the research is located; give a general outline of some of the relevant literature; identify how data are to be collected and analysed; and indicate how ethical issues which arise in the research will be dealt with.

Unit coordinator/s

  • Professor Keith Punch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 3

E-Learning (EDUC5608)

6 pts

23 - 26 Nov 2013

25 hours

 

This unit explores e-learning. It focuses on the pedagogical aspects of teaching with computers and mobile technologies. Topics include the latest developments in e-learning; the discourse of normalisation; pedagogical approaches appropriate to online teaching and learning; digital literacies; and the social, sociopolitical and ecological issues connected with e-learning. Students explore a range of web 2.0 tools in a hands-on manner, focusing on those most relevant to their own teaching practice. These tools may include asynchronous discussion boards; blogs; digital storytelling; folksonomies; IM; microblogging; m-learning; podcasting; RSS; search; social networking; social sharing; virtual worlds; VLEs; vodcasting; VOIP; and wikis.

Students broaden and deepen their understanding of e-learning; gain practical experience; and are able to reflect critically, synthesise information, and apply new ideas to local educational contexts.

Unit coordinator/s

  • Associate Professor Mark Pegrum

 

 

 

Unit 4

Improving Learning and Teaching in the Curriculum (EDUC5678)

6 pts

20 - 23 March 2014

25 hours

 

This unit focuses on national curricula as a phenomenon in a variety of countries; teachers' views on curriculum initiatives in a climate of restructuring and devolution; curriculum and ideology, curriculum as a social construct; the nature of curriculum development, differentiating between curriculum design and curriculum development; the nature of situational analysis, the relationship between situational analysis and curriculum development, Skillbeck's approach to situational analysis; an introduction to different forms of curriculum organisation, the subject-based approach to curriculum organisation, the relationship between a subject-based approach to curriculum organisation and the teaching of thinking skills; organising the curriculum according to pupils' interests, 'themes' or 'topics', and 'integration'; and the nature of the curriculum change process, Vanterpool's principles of curriculum change, Adams and Chen's proposition on curriculum acceptance and persistence.

Students have a broad understanding of

  • (1) the meaning of the concepts 'curriculum design', 'curriculum development', 'curriculum implementation', 'curriculum diffusion', 'curriculum innovation',
  • 'curriculum evaluation' and 'curriculum management';
  • (2) the contemporary educational scene with respect to each of these concepts;
  • (3) the major research questions in the areas associated with these general concepts; and
  • (4) the variety of approaches to researching these curriculum areas.

Unit coordinator/s

  • Winthrop Prof Tom O'Donoghue
  • Dr Wayne McGowan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 5

Quantitative Inquiry (EDUC5633)

6 pts

5 - 8 June 2014

25 hours

 

This unit focuses on the principles of research design and the analysis of quantitative data from research and evaluation studies in education and the social sciences. Topics include reliability, validity, the interpretation of quantitative data and the development of measuring instruments and scales.

Students are able to critically analyse reports from assessment and evaluation studies in education and the social sciences; identify appropriate techniques for the analysis of quantitative data; and interpret and present the results of such analyses in an appropriate format.

Unit coordinator/s

  • Associate Professor Elaine Chapman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 6

Leadership for Learning (EDUC5612)

6 pts

22 - 25 Nov 2014

25 hours

 

Educational leadership is examined in the current global context of change and reform. Leadership approaches are linked with theoretical perspectives about organisations and students are asked to apply understanding gained from reading and discussion to their specific work context. Evolving views of educational leadership are examined with a particular emphasis on organisational culture, teaching and learning, the management of change, and developing relationships with the community. Active participation in seminar sessions is required.

Students are able to explain theory relevant to the field of educational leadership; critically analyse international, national and state-level policies and practices relevant to educational leadership; relate theories of educational leadership to personal experiences and practices through a process of reflection and discussion; and demonstrate a capacity to think about leadership issues and problem solving in relation to educational organisations.

Unit coordinator/s

  • Professor Simon Clarke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dissertation

The Dissertation (EDUC5620)

12 pts

 

 

 

The dissertation (about 10,000 words) should provide evidence that the student can generate a problem and/or research area from his/her own interests or professional work in education; demonstrate mastery of that area; and show a capacity to review it critically. While students are encouraged to work closely with their chosen supervisor, there is no requirement to submit a written proposal through the Faculty of Education Research Committee.

Students demonstrate the ability to generate a problem and/or research area from their own interests or professional work in education; demonstrate a reasonable mastery of that area; and show a capacity to critically review writing in that area, including their own, and write a coherent and cohesive academic paper.

Dissertation Supervisor

  • Associate Professor David Pyvis

 

 

 

 

1st Consultation Session

 

24 and 25 January 2015

 

 

2nd Consultation Session

 

14 and 15 March 2015

 

 

 

 

Dissertation Date Due: Monday, 1 June 2015

 

* Course dates are tentative and subject to confirmation


  About UWA The Graduate School of Education The UWA-HCI Collaboration The UWA-HCI Master of Education Programme The UWA-HCI Doctor of Education Programme The Structure & Schedule The Faculty Members