Course Title: Educational Research

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Educational Research

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2416

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2016

Course Coordinator: Professor Amanda Berry

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7803

Course Coordinator Email: amanda.berry@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.03.34


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course you will be provided with an opportunity to extend your knowledge and skills of research methodologies, techniques and ethical principles for research and inquiry projects as a teacher. You will choose from a range of specific approaches and methods so as to extend and enhance your capacity to conduct research/inquiry projects relevant to your professional work in education as a teacher. You will explore the application of one or more specific methods in detail. Your new knowledge and skills may also be relevant to and applied in your capstone project.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

not applicable


You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes in this course:

  • Critically analyse and apply educational research to your professional practice, demonstrating inclusive, learner focused, evidence-based teaching.
  • Consolidate and synthesise expert content and pedagogical knowledge and judgement to develop highly effective and innovative teaching skills in an area of specialisation.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for critically reflective practice including social, environmental and cultural professional awareness in both local and global contexts.
  • Communicate and engage professionally and ethically with students, colleagues, parents, carers and education stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
  • Show commitment to ongoing professional learning, particularly in relation to meeting the Australian Graduate Standards for Teachers 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify and discuss assumptions and beliefs underlying specific methods for educational research/ inquiry
  • Appraise the strengths and weaknesses of specific methods for educational research/ inquiry
  • Choose appropriate research methods and ethical principles for a selected research problem
  • Conduct informed application of specific methods to research inquiries into questions, problems or issues in educational practice
  • Design a defensible methodological strategy for a research project
      


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research.

The overall purpose of learning activities is to help develop your skills for applying different methods to research/inquiry projects in the field of education. The course will link as much as possible to your professional interests as a teacher.

Learning activities in this course will involve:

  • Outlining assumptions and beliefs underlying different methods used in educational research/ inquiry
  • Critiquing reports of research in the field of education
  • Making informed comparisons of specific educational research methods 
  • Applying selected methods for research/inquiry to research questions
  • Constructing a research proposal within appropriate ethical guidelines
  • Designing strategies with selected methods for a research project
     


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdfsummarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc