The purpose of this module is to provide you with a broad knowledge and understanding of how education can take place in a variety of organisations and locations. The module will develop understanding of how education can follow a variety of models outside of the traditional classroom to enhance the learning journey. In this respect, the module will make international comparisons of educational systems to enable consideration of alternative approaches to education

A critical exploration of the purpose, value and relative benefits of comparative education and how one country can learn from the practice of another in terms of policy, provision and practice. Use of an illustrative example to show how an aspect of your country’s education system might benefit by adopting an approach similar to that of another specified country. This can be related to how the process of learning from the practice of others can impact on classroom practice within your own experience.

The student will engage with an audience to answer questions about their poster in relation to:

A comparative analysis of an aspect of education in their country and a country of the students’ choice

A reflection on how their comparison informs developments to personal professional practice.

Assesses learning outcomes 1,2,3

A critical exploration of the purpose, value and relative benefits of comparative education and how one country can learn from the practice of another in terms of policy, provision and practice. Use of an illustrative example to show how an aspect of your country’s education system might benefit by adopting an approach similar to that of another specified country. This can be related to how the process of learning from the practice of others can impact on classroom practice within your own experience.

The student will engage with an audience to answer questions about their poster in relation to:

A comparative analysis of an aspect of education in their country and a country of the students’ choice

A reflection on how their comparison informs developments to personal professional practice.

Assesses learning outcomes 1,2,3

On completion of this module, you will be able to

Demonstrate systematic understanding of the ways in which education takes place in an expanding variety of forms which differ in location, approaches and styles

Critically evaluate and make critical judgements regarding education models from international comparisons, related to the possible future development of education provision within England

Critically reflect on education globally and its links with and impact on policy, provision and practice using illustrative examples

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.

BIGNOLD, W. GAYTON, L. (2009) Global Issues and Comparative Education. Exeter Learning Matters.
CAMPBELL-BARR, V. and GEORGESON, J. (2015) International Perspectives on Early Years Workforce Development. Northwich: Critical Publishing.
EYRE, D. (2016) High Performance Learning how to become a world class school. Oxon: Routledge.
FORRESTER, G. AND GARRETT, D. (2016) Education policy unravelled. London: Continuum.
PHILLIPS, D. SCHWEISFURTH, M. (2014) Comparative and International Education: An Introduction, Method and Practice (2nd Edn.) London: Bloomsbury.

Sessions will be both face to face as well as online with your tutor additional online support opportunities available. Sessions will provide you with a broad theoretical overview and the conceptual frameworks which underpin the study of comparative education. Additionally, sessions will highlight key features of education systems throughout the world, such as outdoor learning approaches. This does not preclude independent study of countries not covered within class time. Incorporated into webinars, tutorial support activities will provide you with the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills to apply the underpinning theories to an examination of your own practice, in preparation for the assignment.

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;
- engage in group discussions with others and communicate both oral and written arguments
-develop skills that enable you to transfer knowledge and understanding from one context to another.

This module will gain you 20 credits at level 6 towards the full 120 credits for the BA (Hons) Education and BA Education (Hons) (Early Years) degree