Welcome to your Education course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as an Education student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Welcome to the BA (Hons) Education top up course. This BA (Hons) Education course has been designed and developed as a final ‘top-up’ year progression route for work-based students who have completed a foundation degree in Education or Early Childhood Studies.

If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact the Course Leader by email:

s.j.hall@staffs.ac.uk

Course Delivery

The course focuses on you as a learning practitioner, providing an opportunity to build on knowledge and experience of working in education through study at higher education level. You’ll develop your skills as a reflective practitioner, making connections between your professional practice and academic study. It’s designed to be flexible to your personalised needs, interests and experience and builds on current and previous practice within your workplace setting.

The course requires online attendance for teaching sessions, seminars and tutorials and is designed to fit around your work (paid or voluntary) within an educational setting. Teaching sessions are delivered online for four hours per week over the course of 3 semesters.

If you apply for the blended learning route all sessions and some tutorials will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. However, you will have opportunities to come onto campus for Face-to-Face tutorials throughout the year. Please note, if you apply for this route, you may be able to access a maintenance loan as well as the SFE loan.

If you apply for the Distance Learning route all sessions and tutorials will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Please note, if you apply for this route, you will not be able to access a maintenance loan but may still be able to access the SFE Loan.

Semester one Activities

The first few weeks will be spent collaborating with your new peers, gaining confidence with online study and learning about your course and the network of student support services available to you.

Your tutors will also introduce you to the first 2 modules and assessments and encourage you to access the weekly tutorials on offer should you be unsure of module expectations.

Pre-Learning

A key part of the course is learning about and different educational practices and keeping up to date with current educational news. Here are some websites that you may find useful:

General education information:

Association of Teachers and Lecturers, The Department for Education, Education Development Trust, Education Policy Institute, Guardian Education, The Joseph Rountree Foundation, Maximising TAs, National Union of Teachers, Ofsted, Pearson Policy Watch, The Sutton Trust, The Times Education Supplement

Early years specific information:

Early Education, Early Excellence Centre for Inspirational Learning,

National Day Nurseries Association, PACEY – Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, Pre-school Learning Alliance, TACTYC – Association for Professional Development in Early Years

FE College/private training provider specific information:

Education and Training Foundation

Learning and Work Institute

University and College Union

Early Childhood Professional Associations (hyperlinked ctrl click)

Early Education

Early Excellence Centre for Inspirational Learning,

National Day Nurseries Association

PACEY – Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years

Pre-school Learning Alliance

TACTYC – Association for Professional Development in Early Years

Web based (not exhaustive)

The Guardian Education: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education Jobs, critical viewpoints, resources etc
The Informal Encyclopaedia of Education (Infed): http://www.infed.org/ with several articles on reflective theory and practice.
Box of Broadcasts (BOB) TV archive including useful programmes on education http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/bob/
The Department for Education: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

In addition, detailed reading lists will be provided in each module handbook

Join us on Social Media

Join our Social Media accounts for the Institute of Education so you can feel a part of the IOE family before you arrive.

You’ll see what we post, links to relevant news articles, developments within the sector, employability support and things going on in our courses.

Following this account will give you the opportunity to do some pre-reading and research before you join the course.

Visit our Tik Tok Page

Free Downloadable Software

You will need a laptop for this course as all taught sessions will be based online. You will also need access to Microsoft teams however, detail on how to register for Teams using your university student username and not a personal email will be sent to you prior to the course starting. We will also offer a ‘practice run’ at using Teams prior to the course starting for those who lack confidence in using Teams.

As a university student, you will be able to download free software during your study: Software link: https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

Join a Society

Education students have participated in many societies at the university. Last year students participated in sports clubs, the Education Society, the Amateur Dramatics Society, the Parent and Carer Network, the Equestrian Society and many more.

All Student Groups: https://www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/clubsandsocieties/ (filter to see all academic groups).

Current Academic Societies:

Accounting & Finance: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/25507/

Biology: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/biosoc/

Education: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/staffsedsoc/

Engineering: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/theies/

FACS: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/facs/

Fashion: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/fashionsociety/

Humanities: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/humanities/

Law: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/lawsociety/

Bonus Group - Debating: https://www.staffsunion.com/activities/society/21294/

How to set up a new group: https://staffordshire.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0CG5LLyaUvS8eVv

Group Committee Resource & Support Area: https://www.staffsunion.com/managementhub/

Developing You (personal development resources): https://www.staffsunion.com/developingyou/

Beyond the Tutorial

Throughout the course, you’ll engage in:

Work-based tasks and research
Creation of resources to support learning
Observation of the practice of professionals
Reflection on organisational practice
Wider understanding of sector practice

You’ll develop a broad understanding and knowledge of how education can take place in a variety of organisations and locations, and how education can be delivered outside of the traditional classroom to enhance the learning journey.

Meet the team

Steve Hall

Senior Lecturer

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to Course Leader Stephen Hall, s.j.hall@staffs.ac.uk .

The Education Course Team