Postgraduate Course: Professional Practice and Experiential Learning (EDUA11193)
Course Outline
School |
Moray House School of Education |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
Home subject area |
Education |
Other subject area |
None |
Course website |
None |
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Course description |
The notion of students being responsible for their own learning has real significance in outdoor and experiential learning, and offers considerable potential to contextualise knowledge from other disciplines. Experience-based methods of learning require teachers and leaders to apply appropriate strategies to facilitate learning. Implicit is the acceptance that the teacher/facilitator understands the characteristics of learners and the implications for learning and teaching, and also acknowledges that what is taught is not necessarily what is learned. Understanding a range of educational theory will allow teachers/facilitators to both understand the educational philosophy most commonly applied to their work and also to critique it in relation to other approaches. Such an approach is in accord with the development of outdoor and experiential learning, in both of which there is a growing philosophical foundation. Consequently this course will provide those working within this changing professional context with an overview of relevant aims, philosophies and practice. A broad perspective will allow consideration of the wide range of approaches to outdoor and experiential learning. Throughout there will be a focus on the importance of reflection on the issues arising from the course. |
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites |
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Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
None
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Additional Costs |
No additional charge |
Course Delivery Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course students will:
1. understand aspects of the development of the field and some of the educational and philosophical ideas which have shaped its progress;
2. be aware of ontological and epistemological assumptions underlying practice in the field and in particular of experiential learning;
3. understand the processes involved in designing, implementing and evaluating appropriate, productive outdoor sessions with due regard to the prevailing conditions and target group, and in particular the factors that affect learning, the significance of individual differences between learners and the impact on their learning;
4. understand the implications of these assumptions so that the student can offer an analytical but formative view on the theory, practice and research in the field;
5. understand aspects of the legal rights and responsibilities of outdoor and experiential educators (Health and Safety legislation, access to land and water etc);
6. be able to use evaluation strategies and techniques available with particular reference to outdoor risk management (safety auditing);
7. be aware of the wide range of providers (curricular, charitable, commercial) their particular characteristics, and of recent curricular and non-curricular developments in provision;
8. be able to analyse research materials (publications, case studies, etc) which investigate the impact of experiential learning processes on physical, emotional, aesthetic and personal and social development. |
Assessment Information
Assessment will be in the form of a written assignment of 4000 words. |
Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser |
Dr Peter Allison
Tel: (0131 6)51 6001
Email: Peter.Allison@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Ms Sarah Mcneil
Tel: (0131 6)51 6573
Email: Sarah.F.McNeil@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 5:54 am
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