Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

The module also aims to encourage students to take ownership of their personal, professional and academic development and utilize this to enhance their practice. Students will be required to undertake an action research project or practitioner-led intervention, based in a work or placement setting and evidence this in the form of a portfolio. Critical reflection in relation to current practice and professional roles will be an integral part of the portfolio, and preparatory assignments. Evaluation of current research findings and exploration of the possibilities and implications for future development both personally and within the profession will be encouraged.

The preparatory phase of the module will offer students the opportunity to research, scope and plan their field of work-based study, and identify the learning outcomes upon which they will base their portfolio.

One of the assessed outputs during the early phase of the module will be a proposal for the student'r professional development portfolio which will be based on an action research project based on a practitioner intervention at their workplace or placement setting. The methodology, intervention and learning outcomes of the project will be agreed by the student, the supervisor and the workplace or setting at the end of the preparatory phase of the module.

The professional practice portfolio will consist of evidence from an action research project or practitioner-led intervention based in a work or placement setting. The action research project or intervention, including the methodology and learning outcomes of the project, will have been agreed by the student, the supervisor and the workplace/setting by the end of the preparatory phase. The student will also have been made aware during EDM8220 that if he or she wishes to graduate with a named certificate, the portfolio must relate to the theme that he or she has followed throughout the MA. Students will be required to meet with their supervisors at least once a fortnight when practical.
Session during the initial, preparatory phase of the module will include:

1. Key Concepts in Work-based learning (2 hours).
2. Competency-based learning and professional development (2 hours).
3. Practitioner-led Enquiry, Action Research and Ethics (2 hours)
4. Designing a work-based intervention (2 hours)
5. Structuring your portfolio (2 hours)
6. Oral presentation of draft proposal, followed by peer and instructor question and answer session (3 hours)
7. Planning your project (2 hours)
An additional seminar of 2 hours will be provided to support students in preparation for their oral presentation

Following Part One of the MA in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice, students will progress to Part Two where they can choose to follow a `research route? or a `work based or professional practice route?. This module will be a core requirement for those students opting to take the `work based or professional practice route?. This `Professional Practice portfolio? module will offer the opportunity to compile a 15,000 word portfolio of professional practice, and will also be assessed by three preparatory assignments, during the initial phase of the module.

The early part of the module is designed to prepare students for their portfolio assignment by covering key concepts in work-based learning. It will cover the competency-based approach to professional development favored by sector skills bodies and government workforce development frameworks, and where available consider Level 7 National Occupational Standards relating to students? chosen disciplines. It will also introduce students to methodologies in work-based research such as action research and practitioner-led enquiry. As such it will build on students? understanding of the reflective and evidence-based practitioners covered in the core Childhood: Theory and Professional Practice module.