MA in Learning and Teaching

This module focuses on the strategies teachers may use to develop student-centred learning and teaching. It also examines student-centred assessment and feedback strategies and appraises the most effective ways to design and write module learning outcomes. In addition, the module provides opportunities for participants to share their experiences through reflection on practice, peer learning and professional collaboration. A collegial approach is adopted throughout. The content of the module draws extensively upon international and national research findings and perspectives. A blended approach, characterized by face-to-face and online delivery methods, will be used.

At a time when technology is providing increased opportunities for flexible learning, it is imperative that teachers develop their technological competence allowing them to develop their curricula in flexible and creative ways, so as to render learning more accessible and therefore more student-centred.  This module will therefore develop the e-learning expertise of participants while affording opportunities for them to appraise new developments in e-learning practices.  The aim of the module is to provide participants with an understanding of appropriate theory, technologies and tools to enable them create student-centred online resources and activities which can supplement face-to-face delivery or can be delivered in a blended learning environment.  The emphasis will be on linking theory and practice through engagement with and appraisal of a range of teaching tools and technologies.

Assessing students’ work and giving feedback are central to the teaching role. Both assessment and feedback are complex areas, for which reason alone they merit close study and appraisal at a high level. They are also areas of practice much-disparaged by students because they are perceived to be inadequately / ineffectively addressed in day-to-day teaching. This module therefore seeks to improve and develop a deep understanding of assessment and feedback practices with specific reference to learner-centred, inclusive approaches.

The aim of this module is to prepare learners to conduct primary research in the field of learning and teaching. It includes a comprehensive overview of the principal methodologies and methods used in the field and the ethical issues that arises in this kind of research. Throughout, the focus will be on practical applications of this knowledge to design and communicate high quality research in the field.

In this module, learners are supported in implementing, analysing and reporting a high quality research project, as developed in the pre-requisite module Research Methods for Learning and Teaching.