The purpose of this module is to provide students with a broader knowledge and understanding of how education can take place in a variety of organisations and locations and, to some extent, in different ways from traditional schooling. The module will develop understanding of how education can follow a variety of models outside of the traditional classroom. In addition, the module will make international comparisons of educational models to provide further examples of alternative approaches to education.

An exploration of international and comparative education enables stronger understanding of the context of the UK’s educational model from both a historical and policy perspective. This module also includes a review of educational policy in the UK to enable stronger comparisons with other countries.

Topics within the module will include, for example, globalisation, comparative organisations and measurement mechanisms, models of comparison, policy borrowing approaches and detailed case studies of alternative educational approaches. Students will conceptualise an educational approach to problem solve a local educational issue. The educational approach will use non-traditional approaches to encourage creativity and challenge. A framework will provide support for students to develop project work, examples of projects might be:

Sensory pedagogies
Creativity in education
Outdoor learning and play and educational pedagogies
Education and sustainability
Inclusion within outdoor learning
Alternative learning approaches
Recreational spaces and learning environments
Unschooling
Community activism and global citizenship

Problem solving as part of project work might address issues using the model of addressing:

Challenging current ideas/beliefs
Enhancing and enriching the social world
Interacting and working within the natural world

Assessment 1 Report: Learning outcome 1
This report will examine educational practice from a global perspective as a comparison activity. Students will use a thematic approach drawing from a range of academic literature to explain and explore practice.

Assessment 2 Project: Learning outcomes 2 and 3
A key issue will be examined from within current educational/local practice. The project will provide an example of how the issue may be addressed in a creative and sustained way, potentially drawing from community resources. Projects may be presented in different media.

Formative assessment opportunities
Projects will be presented and discussed in small groups.
Formative assessment opportunities include:
Drafts
Practice presentations
Peer discussions
Tutorials
Collaborative working

The teaching, learning and assessment strategy has been carefully developed for this module. It recognises you may bring with¿you¿practical experience and knowledge of specific contexts to share with others. This pool of practical experience will be used to promote discussion and debate, which will build upon existing knowledge to encourage reflection and critical thought. You will be an active participant in your learning and engage with online learning, some¿face-to-face¿content, group activities and individual tasks set.¿ You will be encouraged to be a critical thinker and apply your learning in an academic and professional context.¿ Some sessions require prior reading and independent research to inform the sessions.¿

A digitally enabled approach will be used to support both virtual and face to face opportunities.¿¿
University workshops will draw upon your experience and help you to interpret that experience in the light of current thinking on teaching, learning, assessment and schooling in relation to literacy and numeracy. You will also be asked to use the ideas explored in the sessions in planning your future work. You will also be asked to collaborate with others in preparing and presenting your work.¿¿

The methods are designed to provide practical contexts for the analysis of contemporary issues and problems of a practical nature. The following strategies will be adopted to ensure that you have a supportive teaching and learning environment, providing a range of learning opportunities¿¿

Work Related Learning – You will be required to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and work-place policies in your taught sessions. Work-based activities either as class based simulated tasks or in the workplace help students to establish connections between the workplace and issues raised by the programme.¿

Lectures - You will be given lectures which will provide theoretical underpinning on key educational concepts. These may take the form of face-to-face, digital or virtual sessions¿

Tutorials – You will be given the opportunity to discuss work-related and academic concerns in small group tutorials and/or individual tutorials. This will support the development of theoretical understanding.¿

Guided reading and supported self-study – You will be provided with booklists and reading tasks to enable you to engage with relevant and appropriate debates.¿

This module will also provide opportunities for you to:¿

Work¿with others¿
Develop interpersonal skills¿
Demonstrate the capacity to plan, share goals, and work as a member of a team¿
Communicate and present oral and written arguments¿

Module Learning Outcome
1. Undertake a critical analysis of an aspect of alternative educational provision.
University Learning Outcome
Analysis
Enquiry

Module Learning Outcome
2. Communicate effectively an understanding of the cultural foundations of alternative education systems.
University Learning Outcome
Communication

Module Learning Outcome
3. Evaluate critically alternative educational approaches and their appropriateness for learning in differing local/global contexts.
University Learning Outcome
Problem solving
Reflection

Resources
Unless otherwise stated, all books are available online through Staffordshire University library website when logged in using your university username and password. If you have difficulty accessing these, please contact the University library. There is also an online reading list for each module on this course. To access this, go to http://staffs.rebuslist.com/ and then type in the module code in the search box. Do not worry if this list seems excessively long. You may wish to focus on texts which are most relevant to your education sector. This module covers a wide range of texts and you may find that you only need to read short sections of the texts listed (or from other texts that you may find in libraries or journals). Your tutor will also advise you on the relevant texts and sections of texts to read. Remember that it is important to show you have considered views from a wide range of sources. When referring to texts in your assignment, always use https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/refzone for guidance. There are many versions of Harvard referencing systems in use around the world, but for Staffordshire University, Refzone Harvard system is the only correct method to use.

Study skills:
For guidance on academic writing, remember that the Staffordshire University library holds a wealth of resources to support study skills at https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills. The study skills team can also provide 1 to 1 support

VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) Resources¿¿¿
Your University VLE will enable you to have access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists.¿ Your VLE offers opportunities to engage in group work and independent learning¿using¿synchronous/asynchronous discussion boards, video links, blogs and wikis.¿¿

Calvo de Mora, J. and Kennedy, K. (eds.) (2020) Schools and Informal Learning in a Knowledge-Based World. London: Routledge.

Davies,I.; Sant, E.; Shultz, L. and Pashby, K. (2018) Global Citizenship: A critical Introduction to Key concepts and Debates. London. Bloomsbury.

Marshall, J. (2019) Introduction to Comparative and International Education. London: Sage.

None

This module helps you to explore what it means to practice in the field of comparative education studies. Over the course of your studies, you will investigate and learn to articulate your own personal philosophy and values exploring different education systems and approaches. Thinking about alternative educational approaches through project-based learning will deepen and develop your skills. It is important to think about real life projects and how education can enhance everyone's potential.