Expand+Master in Education Studies (Inquiry-Based Learning)

What is the Master in Education Studies (Inquiry-Based Learning)?
The Master in Education Studies (Inquiry-Based Learning) is an innovative and unique Masters course that taps into the widespre...

Hide-Master in Education Studies (Inquiry-Based Learning)

What is the Master in Education Studies (Inquiry-Based Learning)?
The Master in Education Studies (Inquiry-Based Learning) is an innovative and unique Masters course that taps into the widespread and growing interest in inquiry-based learning at all levels of education, from early childhood to higher education. Despite the growing interest in this area, few opportunities exist in Ireland for students to study for a Master’s degree where most of the credits are awarded for study and research in inquiry-based learning. This course aims to rectify this. The course is framed to provide clear interaction between theory and practice. A key feature of the course is to build a community of inquiry among participants, with a focus on collaborative tasks both online and face-to-face.

Who is the course for?
This course is open to teachers and anyone working as an educator in any profession or subject area, at any level.

What will I study?
In year one, students on this course will study 4 discrete modules consisting of a common core module, 2 specialism modules and one elective module selected from a pool of approved modules. In year two, students focus on an area of interest, related to Inquiry-based Learning within Education Studies, in greater depth. They will develop research skills and prepare a dissertation of 20,000 words on a topic relevant to inquiry-based learning.

What are the course aims?
On successful completion of this course participants will be able to:
• Critically discuss key issues in education theory and practice, with particular but not exclusive reference to inquiry-based learning
• Explore the ideas of various thinkers in education and critically evaluate them
• Pursue study and scholarship in inquiry-based learning
• Undertake a substantial piece of academic research and present findings in written format in an appropriate scholarly manner, to a specialist or non-specialist audience as appropriate
• Identify areas of focus for future professional development as required by The Teaching Council and other bodies, acknowledging that learning is a life-long process
• Develop the skills required to become an effective researcher in education studies, with particular reference to inquiry-based learning
• Critically reflect on their experiences in education and document how this reflection informs their practice.

Expand+Year 1:
Module 1:
Introduction to Education Studies
• Education and pedagogy
• What is education for?
• The relevance of virtues
• Education under pressure in our culture
• Where now is the Primary School Curriculum (1999)?
• The practice o...

Hide-Year 1:
Module 1:
Introduction to Education Studies
• Education and pedagogy
• What is education for?
• The relevance of virtues
• Education under pressure in our culture
• Where now is the Primary School Curriculum (1999)?
• The practice of Postgraduate reading and writing

Module 2:
Learning through Inquiry
• Inquiry and the learner
• Inquiry-based teaching
• Nurturing a culture of inquiry
• Assessment in inquiry-based learning

Module 3:
Inquiry-Based Learning & the Environment
• Inquiry in the natural environment
• Inquiry in the built environment
• Environmental inquiry in public spaces and for public debate
• Pedagogical opportunities for and assessment of environmental inquiry learning

Module 4:
Choose on elective from those available.
Sample options are:
• Religious Diversity and Intercultural Education, Schools and Diversity
• Inclusion and Intercultural Education
• Teaching English as an Additional Language: An Intercultural Approach
• Human Rights, Human Rights Education and Intercultural Education
• Early Childhood Education – Policy and Practice
• Language and Literacy

Year 2:
Module 5:
Research Methods and Dissertation.