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Studying for your Education Degree

Studying for your Education Degree

Jane Bottomley | Steven Pryjmachuk | David Waugh

(2018)

Abstract

Studying for your Education Degree is PERFECT for anyone wanting to train to become a primary or secondary teacher or undertake an education studies course. After reading this fully comprehensive guide you will understand:

  • the structure and culture of HE, and how education/teaching fits into it
  • what to expect, and what will be expected of you, as a university student
  • teaching and assessment methods within education, so that you can perform to the best of your ability in an academic environment
  • how to manage your teaching/education studies in an effective way and make the most of the resources available to you.

The books in our Critical Study Skills series will help you gain the knowledge, skills and strategies you need to achieve your goals. They provide support in all areas important for university study, including institutional and disciplinary policy and practice, self-management, and research and communication. Packed with tasks and activities to help you improve your learning, including learner autonomy and critical thinking, and to guide you towards reflective practice in your study and work life. Uniquely, this book is written by an experienced education lecturer and an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) lecturer.

 


David Waugh is a former deputy headteacher who has worked in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) from 1990 at the University of Hull, where he led the PGCE course and became Head of Department.  In 2008 he was appointed as a National Strategies Regional Adviser for ITT.  He is currently Director of the Primary PGCE at Durham University, where he is also subject leader for English. He has published extensively in primary English, as well as developing e-learning resources for National Strategies for English, mathematics and mentoring and coaching.

Jane Bottomley is a Senior Language Tutor at the University of Manchester and a Senior Fellow of the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP).She has been involved in the development of a number of content-based academic study skills courses at the University of Manchester and has published widely in this field. 

Steven Pryjmachuk is Professor of Mental Health Nursing Education in the School of Health Science's Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Manchester and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His teaching, clinical and research work has centred largely on supporting and facilitating individuals – be they students, patients or colleagues – to develop, learn or care independently. In December 2014, Steven was elected as vice Chair (2015-16) and Chair (2017-18) of Mental Health Nurse Academics UK, an organisation representing 65 Higher Education Institutions providing education and research on mental health nursing.


Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover Cover 1
Half-title i
Series information ii
Title page iii
Copyright information iv
Table of contents v
Acknowledgements vi
Meet the series editor and authors vii
Introduction viii
Chapter 1 Studying education in higher education 1
What is HE? 2
Your education degree 2
Qualification frameworks 3
Courses and credits 4
Lifelong learning and continuous professional development 5
Being a university student 6
Study time 7
Virtual Learning Environments 8
Lectures 8
Seminars 9
Tutorials 10
Independent learning 11
Summary 12
References 13
Chapter 2 Strategies for effective learning 14
What is learning? 14
Managing your learning: student autonomy 15
Strategies for effective learning 17
Being organised 17
Being disciplined 18
Being realistic 18
Being smart 18
Being positive 19
Being proactive 19
Being committed 20
Being open-minded 20
Being reflective and self-aware 20
Learning styles 21
Discussion of case studies 23
Collaborative learning 24
Collaboration in teaching 26
Collaboration in action 26
Important qualities in group work 27
Managing conflict 28
Discussion: managing conflict 28
Summary 29
References 30
Chapter 3 Becoming a member of your academic and professional community 31
Joining the academy 31
Discussion of case studies 32
Academic principles, pursuits and practices 34
Teaching, research and knowledge 34
Values, beliefs and academic integrity 37
Communication 37
Academic phrasebank 37
The education community 39
Historical landmarks in education 39
Graduate attributes 41
Discussion: applying graduate attributes 42
Summary 43
References 43
Chapter 4 Critical thinking 45
What is critical thinking? 45
The critical thinker 48
Critical thinking in universities 48
Critical thinking in education 49
Applying and developing your critical thinking skills 50
Approaching learning resources critically 50
Active reading 52
Synthesis of information and ideas 53
Scrutinising research and arguments 56
Demonstrating criticality in your academic work 61
Discussion versus description 61
Stance 61
Argument 62
Objectivity 62
Persuasiveness 63
Summary 64
References 64
Chapter 5 Academic resources: technology and the library 65
Understanding technology and developing good computer skills 65
Hardware 65
Discussion of hardware uses at university 66
Software 67
Office suites 67
Word processing 68
Spreadsheets 71
Working smart 71
Communication software 72
The internet 73
The cloud 75
Social media 75
Online behaviour and security 75
Computer security 75
Personal security 76
The university library 76
Knowing what’s out there 77
Conducting a literature search 78
Identifying key search terms 79
Refining your search 79
Widening your search 79
Google and Wikipedia 80
Summary 81
Reference 81
Chapter 6 Assessment 82
Assessment in higher education 82
Submission and marking of assessments 83
An effective approach to assessment 84
Inform yourself 84
Plan and manage your time 84
Written assessments 85
Reports 85
Portfolios 85
Essays 85
Dissertations 86
Oral assessments 86
Exams 87
Practical teaching assessments 89
Feedback on academic work 90
Good practice in feedback 90
Your response to feedback 91
Summary 93
Reference 93
Appendix: The language of higher education 94
Answer key 97
Index 103