Course Outline
EDN701 Researching Education
Course Coordinator:Alison Black (ablack1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Education and Tertiary Access
2024Semester 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
Researching Education aims to raise your awareness of how educational research can inform our knowledge and understanding of current educational issues, policies, and practices. You will develop a contribution for a professional journal based on your critique of contemporary research studies on an educational issue of your choice. The course prepares you to read, understand and critically evaluate educational research. Through engaging with professional publications, you will also examine ways you can impact professional practice and policy.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with asynchronous materials and activities accessed through Canvas modules, course readings and required texts. | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – A blended learning approach is used to deliver the writing group workshop component of this course. The writing group is synchronous technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 2 – A blended learning approach is used to deliver the workshop 2 component of the course. The workshop is synchronous using technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Independent Study/Research – In addition to engaging with the learning materials and workshop sessions, and completing the assessable tasks, you are required to engage in self-directed learning using the Canvas course modules and current research/reading via USC library databases, and the required/recommended textbooks and resources. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Online | |||
| Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with asynchronous materials and activities accessed through Canvas modules, course readings and required texts. | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – A blended learning approach is used to deliver the writing group workshop component of this course. The writing group is synchronous technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 2 – A blended learning approach is used to deliver the workshop 2 component of the course. The workshop is synchronous using technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Independent Study/Research – In addition to engaging with the learning materials and workshop sessions, and completing the assessable tasks, you are required to engage in self-directed learning using the Canvas course modules and current research/reading via USC library databases, and the required/recommended textbooks and resources. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Course Topics
- Information literacy – locating, managing and accessing the quality of education research
- Contemporary social justice and sustainability in education issues and problems
- Research integrity and reflexivity
- Education researcher identity
- Critically evaluate the quality of education research
- Education research approaches, methods, theories, concepts and standpoints
- Impact of education research on policy and practice
- Communicating education research
What level is this course?
700 Level (Specialised)
What is the unit value of this course?
24 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
| 1 | Select and justify an issue or problem in contemporary education practice that contributes to social justice and/or sustainability. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Sustainability-focussed |
| 2 | Identify and critically analyse the rigour of published research related to the contemporary issue or problem. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker |
| 3 | Investigate and evaluate education practice using advanced education theories, concepts, and standpoints. |
Empowered Ethical |
| 4 | Apply reflexivity in education research. |
Creative and critical thinker Ethical |
| 5 | Generate communication using academic integrity to impact education practice and policy. |
Empowered Engaged |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
Enrolled in Program ED511, ED512 or ED705
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
EDU709
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Oral and Written Piece | Individual | 20% | Oral - 5-10-minute presentation and discussion Written Piece - 1500 words |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 2 | Report | Individual | 40% | 3500 words |
Week 10 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Portfolio | Individual | 40% | 4000 words |
Week 13 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Identify and justify a contemporary educational issue | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to explore, research and discuss a contemporary educational issue to develop reflexivity and researcher identity. |
| Product: | Oral and Written Piece |
| Format: | Submit: Presentation Week 4 Written piece Week 6 Individually prepare a 5-10-minute formative presentation and discussion that: 1) Identifies and justifies your selected contemporary educational issue or problem in education policy and/or practice 2) Explains how your issue or problem connects to sustainability and/ or social justice based on education theory, concepts and standpoints 3) Generates reflexive discussion amongst the group to further refine your contemporary education issue and explore your development as a researcher. Engage reflexively with the formative feedback provided during the presentation and prepare a summative written piece that: 1) Identifies and justifies your selected contemporary educational issue or problem in education policy and/or practice 2) Explains how your issue or problem connects to sustainability and/ or social justice based on education theory, concepts and standpoints 3) Explains how reflexivity impacted on your conceptualisation of the education issue or problem and your identity as a researcher. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 2:Investigate a contemporary education issue | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to develop your expertise in a contemporary education research area. |
| Product: | Report |
| Format: | The task requires you to critically analyse empirical research and theory papers on your selected educational issue or problem and develop a report that provides: 1) A statement of the educational issue or problem 2) An annotated bibliography of 10 contemporary research-based education papers that illustrate the rigour of published research relevant to the identified educational issue. 3) An analysis of the debates in contemporary research about the educational issue or problem considering social justice and/or sustainability in the context of education. 4) Include a reference list of all papers referred to in the report in, APA format. (Not included in the word count) |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3:Professional writing folio | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to identify and justify the impact that your findings can have on ethical, social justice or sustainability agendas in education. You will write a lead or feature article to begin the process of achieving this impact based on your exploration of the identified educational issue or problem. |
| Product: | Portfolio |
| Format: | Your professional writing folio should provide: 1) Identify and justify the professional journal/magazine that you have chosen for your education issue/problem and explain why you chose this particular journal/magazine including details of how your work contributes to social justice or sustainability in education 2) A copy of the lead or feature article manuscript ready for submission to the journal/magazine. 3) Reference list (not included as part of the word count). 4) Appendix A: A sample article from the magazine or journal (not included as part of the word count) 5) Appendix B: A copy of the journal article or magazine guidelines to authors. If this is not available, please note this (not included as part of the word count). |
| Criteria: |
|
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | Williams, James | 2020 | How to read and understand educational research | 1st | Sage Publishing |
| Required | Mewburn,Inger; Firth,Katherine; Lehmann, Shaun | 2019 | How to Fix Your Academic Writing Trouble: A practical guide | Australian Ed | Open University Press |
Specific requirements
It is expected that you will require Internet access and a personal computer. Recommendations from information and technology services are available via the Student Portal if you search for computer specifications. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is necessary for each class session. Access to a mobile device with a camera and microphone is recommended for participation in online sessions.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Assessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
SafeUniSC
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
Study help
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
AccessAbility Services
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
-
In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au