Assessed through the content of a submitted report/thesis and the content of a presentation to a mixed audience of educationalists, professional engineers and technologists -

(i.) Project report (recommended approximate length of 12,000 words) which contains (i) aims and objectives of the research report, (ii) background to the study, (iii) literature review and its evaluation, (iv) appropriate technical and pedagogic content, (v) research methods, data acquisition and analysis, (vi) findings, conclusions and recommendations - 80%
(assessing learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9)

(ii.) Oral presentation and oral defence of project report content - 20%
(assessing learning outcomes 6, 8, and 9)

A detailed mark scheme is available in the Assessment Form for Module 4.

- In consultation with a designated supervisor, formulate the content and the time schedule for a research project at the forefront of technology in the chosen technology route and set within an educational context. The research will be formulated to be at a level and of an importance which is comparable to research presented at national educational conferences.
- Using established research techniques carry out the chosen research project autonomously with minimal supervision.
- Write a comprehensive report covering the research programme, present the report to an audience of specialists and non-specialists, and defend the content of the report in front of a panel of specialist professional engineers and technologists.

Supervisor, regional tutor, library, computing facilities, Internet. In some cases access to experts and production facilities in school or at the University.

Study of Module 3 : CE00490-M Specialist Technology

How to research, Loraine Blaxter, Christina Hughes and Malcolm Tight, Open University Press (2001), ISBN: 0 335 209033
Research Methods in Education, Cohen, L, Manion, L and Morrison, K, Routledge Falmer, (2000), ISBN 0 415 1954 1
A Teacher's Guide to Classroom Research, Hopkins, D, Open University Press, 3rd Edition (2002), ISBN: 0 335 210004 X

A comprehensive background reading list will also be provided

Information gathering to identify all relevant previous work underpinning the proposed project, including discussions with supervisor, school mentor and experts in the field of the chosen technology.
- Critical evaluation and discussion with supervisor, school mentor and others of the relevant previous work to clearly establish the foundation on which the proposed project will build.
- Critical evaluation of the composition and layout of high quality research papers in the field of study to establish the appropriate writing style and the clarity of communication which is required in reporting the proposed research with guidance and feedback from supervisor.
- Technical discussions with relevant experts and specialists in school, industry, University and various teacher networks
- In-depth application of existing research techniques, numerical analysis methods (where appropriate), experimental techniques etc. as required for the successful and timely completion of an advanced level research project.
- Report writing, preparation of oral presentation, and oral presentation of report content, all at a professional level similar to that expected at a national technical conference. This may also include reviews of reports/presentations produced by previous teachers and colleagues.