Course Title: Research an education issue

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

Course Code: TCHE5814C

Course Title: Research an education issue

School: 360T Education

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5290 - Diploma of Education Support

Course Contact : Soosan Kian

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9183

Course Contact Email:soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Margaret Hanrahan margaret.hanrahan@rmit.edu.au  9925 9494

Soosan Kian soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au  9925 9183
 

Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

No specific pre-requisite and co-requisite.

Course Description

This course deals with the skills and knowledge required by education support workers to carry out reseach activities, analyse collected data and produce reports


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCEDS507A Research an education issue

Element:

1 Determine the research question and requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 In consultation with relevant staff, define research brief or problem according to education organisation requirements
1.2 Frame and clearly articulate the research question or topic using key issues and support it with relevant information
1.3 Validate and document research requirements with relevant staff
 

Element:

2 Develop a research strategy

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify and evaluate suitable research strategies for use in the project
2.2 Identify sources of information
2.3 Develop project plan according to organisation's ethical and legal requirements and in consultation with relevant staff
2.4 Determine risk management strategies
2.5 Incorporate recording processes and data management into the project plan
2.6 Process the research plan for approval according to organisation guidelines
 

Element:

3 Conduct and manage reseach activities

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Conduct research methods and activities according to the research plan
3.2 Access resources to support the research according to organisation policy and procedure
3.3 Monitor research activities and implement changes to the project plan where necessary after appropriate approval
3.4 Analyse and interpret incoming data according to research strategy
3.5 Determine and document research outcomes according to organisation requirements
 

Element:

4 Evaluate reseach outcomes

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Organise research data according to the approved research strategy
4.2 Structure research outcomes to answer questions posed in the research brief or problem
4.3 Highlight and summarise specific issues and important additional findings
4.4 Discuss research outcomes with key stakeholders and make adjustments to findings based on the feedback
 

Element:

5 Document reseach processes and outcomes

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Summarise research procedures and outcomes in format acceptable to the education organisation and academic standards
5.2 Store research documents as required by the organisation
 

Element:

6 Disseminate reseach results and reports

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Submit research reports and findings to the relevant authorities for action
6.2 Identify processes for dissemination and seek approval from relevant authorities
6.3 Implement protection of organisation's intellectual property as required by organisation and any relevant legislation
 


Learning Outcomes


This unit is intended for education support workers undertaking research as part of an education team in areas related to school operations and education/training programs.
This unit applies to work undertaken with appropriate guidance, support and supervision by a nominated teacher or other education professional.  On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Diploma of Education Support program. You will study this unit with several other units on the same day. Your program consists of face to face teaching and Directed Study. You are not required to attend to complete Directed Study, however you are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit. Directed Study is a very important part of your program. An outline of your Directed Study will be given by your teacher and is published in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.
The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities: 

Group discussion 

Research assignments

Guest speakers

Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios

Realistic simulations and role play
Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice
Oral Presentations
Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency. 

Work placement
 


Teaching Schedule

Program Dates: Mon 4th February – Friday 13th December 2013
Term Breaks: Mon 8th April – Fri 12th April 2013; Mon 1st July – Fri 12th July 2013; Mon 23rd Sept – Fri 4th Oct 2013
Public holidays: Mon 11th March (Labour Day); Fri 29th March (Good Friday); Mon 1st April (Easter Monday); Thurs 25th April (ANZAC Day); Mon 10th June (Queen’s Birthday); Tues 5th November 2013 (Melbourne Cup)
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.
 

Semester 1

Week 1-4

Research protocols and procedures
Organisations preferred format and style for documenting research findings
Key people and their responsibilities for research projects

Discussion, Q&A activities

Week 5-8
Confidentiality in research
Ethics and privacy
Ethical and legal obligations of self and organisation to undertake particular research topics
Work within ethical frameworks underpinning research within an education setting

Discussion, Q&A activities,
Assignment – Research/Q&A/Observation – Instructional learning theories
Observation report

Week 9-12
Using computers for work processing and data entry
Reading, understanding, interpreting written documents associated with the task
Analysing and presenting information

Discussion, Q&A activities
Research/Oral presentation

Week 13-16

Methods of presenting information
Copyright protocols
Research policies relating to behavior modification

Discussion, Q&A activities
Research/Oral / Role play
Progress interview

Week 17-20

Reading, understanding, interpreting written documents associated with the task
Analysing and presenting information
Reflecting on own research

Discussion,Q&Aactivities

Assignment 1, Q&A, Role play, Evidence of researching an education issue; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Thirdparty


Semester 2

Week 1-4

Reading, understanding, interpreting written documents associated with the task
Analysing and presenting information


Discussion, Q&A activities

Week 5-8

Analysing and presenting information
Determining research questions and requirements
Framing research questions or topics


Discussion, Q&A activities

Assignment/project 2 – Research/Scenarios


Week 9-12

Developing a research strategy
Using computers for work processing and data entry


Discussion, Q&A activities

Week 13-16

Confidentiality in research
Ethics and privacy
Ethical and legal obligations of self and organisation to undertake particular research topics
Work within ethical frameworks underpinning research within an education setting

Discussion, Q&A activities

Folio - Presentation of folio (oral and written)

Week 17-20

Confidentiality in research
Ethics and privacy
Reflecting on own experiences

Discussion, Q&A activities

Assessment review – review folio of final assessments e.g :
Assignment/Project1 and 2, Oral presentation, Evidence of practical experience researching an education issue; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Folio – Presentation (oral and written)
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT

There are no set texts in this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through handouts, our online systems and access to facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources. It is recommended that you bring:

• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Brunswick Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)
 


Overview of Assessment

You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning
• Assignments and projects
• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files
• Work-based activities
• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc
 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice 

• Oral or written questioning 

• Assignments and projects 

• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise of documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files 

• Review of work produced through work-based or course activities 

• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer 

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are assessed using the following competency based results:
CC – Competency credit
CA – Competency achieved
NYC – Not Yet Competent
Please note:
Assessments tasks may include other Units of competency from the program.

All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.
 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency.
These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview