Module Information

Module Identifier
EDM3400
Module Title
Subject/Phase Specialism
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
PGCE entry requirements
Co-Requisite
ED30730 Professional Practice
Co-Requisite
ED30830 Learning and Teaching
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Research Presentation  Professional enquiry research project The project should focus on an aspect of classroom practice, including planning for and assessment of learning. Part 2 Presentation of research findings to tutors and other students. 10 Minutes  60%
Semester Assessment Professional enquiry research project: Research Proposal  The project should focus on an aspect of classroom practice, including planning for and assessment of learning. Research proposal and rapid literature review 1500 Words  40%
Supplementary Assessment Desk Study Reseach Project  The project should focus on an aspect of classroom practice, including planning for and assessment of learning. Part 1 Research proposal and rapid literature review for research Part 2 Critical evaluation of appropriate methods and reflection on experience. Both parts submitted together 4000 Words  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Students will demonstrate an advanced conceptual understanding of subject-specific pedagogy and research and evidence-based practice within their specialism.

Students will develop an advanced understanding of Curriculum for Wales and an advanced critical awareness of curriculum making in the specialist subject or phase.

Students will develop an advanced understanding of the principles of effective planning and demonstrate autonomous planning skills, identifying appropriate strategies to meet the needs of all learners within their subject or phase specialism.

Students will develop an advanced understanding of the principles of progression and assessment to critically evaluate assessment and use them to identify progress of all learners within their subject or phase specialism.

Students will demonstrate an advanced and comprehensive understanding of techniques professional enquiry to investigate their own practice, and create and interpret knowledge in their specialism.

Brief description

This module will enable you to become competent subject and phase specialists by deepening your understanding of discipline knowledge to meet the professional standards. You will further develop your competence in curriculum design and incorporate cross-curricular skills and cross-cutting themes into your practice. You will explore theories of language acquisition to develop your bilingual teaching. You will deepen your understanding of research and theory relevant to your subject and phase specialism and will have an opportunity to develop a research project designed to improve practice. You will better understand the diverse and changing nature of the school population and develop a person-centred approach in your practice in order to create inclusive classrooms. Your understanding of theories of assessment will be consolidated.

Aims

This module will enable you to become competent subject and phase specialists by deepening your understanding of discipline knowledge to meet the professional standards. You will further develop your competence in curriculum design and incorporate cross-curricular skills and cross-cutting themes into your practice. You will explore theories of language acquisition to develop your bilingual teaching. You will deepen your understanding of research and theory relevant to your subject and phase specialism and will have an opportunity to develop a research project designed to improve practice. You will better understand the diverse and changing nature of the school population and develop a person-centred approach in your practice in order to create inclusive classrooms. Your understanding of theories of assessment will be consolidated.

Content

1. Pedagogical approaches specific to disciplinary knowledge and skills: curriculum requirements specific to specialism e.g. decolonising the curriculum in specialist disciplines. Consecutive phase / Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE).
2. Curriculum requirements specific to specialism; planning learning; anti -racist pedagogy; assessment for learning specific to specialist pedagogy. Consecutive phase / AoLE input.
3. Planning for all learners within specialism; microteaching. Consecutive phase / AoLE input.
4. Key themes in specialism teaching & learning: disciplinary knowledge for GCSE for appropriate subjects; evaluating micro teaching; DCF –within specialism. Consecutive phase / AoLE input.
5. Reflect, evaluate & review from School Experience 1; content and discipline knowledge e.g. GCSE, independent learning, enhanced provision. Cross phase / AoLE input. Introducing research skills. AoLE Health and wellbeing in specialism.
6. Content and discipline knowledge for AS/ A Level; enhanced provision (foundation learning); strategies specific to specialism to support learners with ALN. Cross phase / AoLE input.
7. Research project planning. Directing / Planning for TA. Cross phase / AoLE input.
8. Research conference and assessment.
9. Partnership Days: Subject specialist pedagogy and assessment; subject specialist research; planning research project.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Adaptability and resilience Students must adapt to three school placements.
Co-ordinating with others Students learn to work with mentors and colleagues.
Creative Problem Solving Students will creatively plan lessons and resources for all learners in their care.
Critical and analytical thinking Students will engage critically with educational research related to their specialism and engage in research into their own practice.
Digital capability Students will include the Digital Competence Framework in their teaching.
Professional communication Students will communicate with colleagues, parents and carers.
Real world sense Students will undertake three placements in schools.
Reflection Students will become reflective practitioners.
Subject Specific Skills Students will develop their practice in their subject or phase specialism.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7