This option offers participants the opportunity to develop specialist, in-depth knowledge within the field of physical education, school sport and coaching science. The course is suitable for both Primary and Post-Primary teachers, for those who are subject specialists and those simply wishing to develop some expertise in this area. Theory is complemented by a strong emphasis on practical application. Teaching methods include lectures, workshops, tutorials and a large element of practical work. The module includes the following elements, physical education, sports coaching and teaching, match analysis, biomechanics, sports nutrition, exercise physiology and sport psychology.  

Option Aims 

• To develop professional competence, advanced knowledge and critical understanding of physical education, school sport and coaching science.  
• To explore pedagogical perspectives and current research in physical education, school sport and coaching science.  
• To examine the factors that contribute to high-quality teaching and learning in this field.  
• To support participants in becoming more effective, reflective PE teachers and coaches.  

List of Modules 

EDC7069 Pupil Learning through Physical Education and School Sport  

EDC7070 Developing Coaching Science and Physical Education in Schools  

EDC7078 Current Issues and Future Directions in Physical Education and School Sport  

This option is relevant for those who teach or have an interest in educational matters relating to the nursery or Early Years setting. The option provides the opportunity to engage in the study and investigation of issues pertinent to the education of young children and examines the responsibilities and challenges that are inherent in the job. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own professional practice through engagement with current research while debate and discussion regarding theory and practice will be facilitated and encouraged. Issues to be considered include the study of the underlying principles of Early Years education, the significance of child development, the nature and consequences of childhood stress, therapeutic teaching approaches and the appropriateness of a variety of teaching methodologies. How children think and learn will be explored as will the implications of this for the teaching and learning process.  

Option Aims 

• To engage in informed debate regarding education in the Early Years setting.  
• To reflect on the relationship between theory and practice.  
• To develop specific competence in the area of Early Years education.  
• To reflect on the appropriateness of professional practice.  
• To extend knowledge of the nature of childhood and the ways in which children acquire and process knowledge.  
• To gain insights into the teaching and learning process in the Early Years classroom.  
• To critically appraise research in the field of Early Years education.  

List of Modules 

EDC7004             Approaches to Education in the Early Years.  

EDC7006             Principles into Practice in the Early Years.  

Teacher professional development often can be divorced from the reality of classroom and school life. In contrast, this work-based option focuses on the learning and progress made by children and young people as their teachers develop and reflect on pedagogic techniques. The approach will be personalised in that questions will arise from enquiries that are important and relevant to each individual’s own teaching or management role.  

Option Aims 

• To use teachers’ own working contexts as a basis for successful professional development.  
• To apply theory and policy to practice to enhance classroom performance and improve learning.  
• To introduce students to the features and process of Research Lesson Study.  
• To create supportive partnerships.  
• To encourage a targeted, precise response to pupils’ learning.  
• To assist teachers in clarifying their own professional development goals and in setting their own targets.  
• To provide flexible provision for professional development that takes account of the different starting points of participants.  

List of Modules  

EDC7021 Educational Research Methods (semester two) 

EDC7051 Lessons for Learning (semester one) 

EDC7052 Issues in Curriculum: Improving Practice through Lesson Study (semester one) 

EDC7053 Personal Development: Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Teachers and Pupils (semester one) 

EDC7077 Building Capacity in Schools: Advancing Inclusivity to Raise Pupil Outcomes (semester two) 

This option reaffirms of the importance attached to teaching all aspects of English in schools. It considers curricular reform and the variety of initiatives which have been taken to address concerns about how to raise standards in literacy. The module also considers the need to assess the value of these within the context of the whole English curriculum. The option seeks to provide a forum in which the best classroom practices in literacy and English can be shared.  

Option Aims 

• To develop specialist competence in an area central to the school curriculum.  
• To engage in debate about literacy in the classroom, informed by current research in this area.  
• To reflect on professional practice.  
• To connect teachers’ personal knowledge and understanding of reading, writing and linguistic resources with their ability to provide enhanced classroom practice.  
• To enhance teachers’ awareness of the cultural and theoretical contexts in which literacy is taught.  

List of Modules 

EDC7007             Current Issues in the Teaching of Language and Literacy   

EDC7079  Understanding, Supporting and Teaching Pupils with Specific Literacy Difficulties  

EDC7086            The Pleasure and Promise of Children’s Literature in the Primary Setting  

Tá an roghachúrsa seo fóirsteanach dóibh siúd atá ag obair in earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta. Díreofar na modúil ar shaincheisteanna a bhaineann leis an oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus dearadh iad le dea-chleachtas an tumoideachais a léiriú ag gach céim den oideachas. Gheobhaidh múinteoirí agus cleachtóirí deis, leis na modúil seo, machnamh a dhéanamh ar theoiricí agus ar chleachtas sa tumoideachas, ag fiosrú na bpróiseas agus na dtorthaí a bhaineann le teagasc, foghlaim agus measúnú i suíomhanna lán-Ghaeilge.  

This option is for individuals working in the Irish-medium sector. The modules focus on a range of current issues relevant to Irish medium education and have been designed to reflect best practice in immersion education models at all phases. These courses will allow practitioners to explore and reflect on theoretical principles and classroom practice in immersion education by examining the processes and outcomes involved in learning, teaching and assessing in Irish medium settings.  

Aidhmeanna an Roghachúrsa 

• Bheith páirteach i ndíospóireachtaí a bhaineann leis an oideachas agus leis an oideachas lán-Ghaeilge.  
• Cur lena n-inniúlachtaí gairmiúla mar oideachasóirí san earnáil lán-Ghaeilge, scileanna teanga san áireamh.  
• Machnamh a dhéanamh ar an nasc idir cleachtas agus teoiric ina gcomhthéacs gairmiúil oibre.  
• Bheith ar an eolas faoi thaighde agus faoi fhorbairtí san earnáil lán-Ghaeilge.  
• Taighde a dhearadh, a chur i gcrích agus a luacháil. Déanfar an roghachúrsa seo a sholáthar trí mheán na Gaeilge agus chuige sin beidh leibhéal cuí d’inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge de dhíth.  

Option Aims 

• To engage in informed debate about major issues in education and Irish medium education.  
• To develop further competence as educators in the Irish medium sector including the development of participants’ own Irish language skills.  
• To reflect in depth on the relationship between theory and practice in professional working contexts.  
• To keep abreast of research, innovation, and developments in the Irish medium sector.  
• To design, conduct and critically appraise research.  

This option is provided through the medium of Irish and therefore an appropriate level of competence in Irish is required.  

List of Modules  

EDC7043 Saibhreas agus Cruinneas na Gaeilge / Eloquence and Accuracy of Expression in Irish (10-point module).  

EDC7075 Cumais Uimhearthachta agus Litearthachta a Chur Chun Cinn i Suíomhanna Lán- Ghaeilge / Promoting Numeracy and Literacy Competence in Irish-medium Settings.  

EDC7076 Gaeilge na Gaeltachta / Study of Native Irish Speech. (20- point module)  

EDC7089 Sainchúrsa Gaeilge do mhúinteoirí: eolas agus inniúlacht / A Specialised Irish Language Course for teachers: knowledge and proficiency  

Leaders in Catholic Schools play a key role in fostering and sharing a holistic vision of education with the staff of the school. This module aims to explore, with both a local and an international focus, some pertinent themes which school leaders face today as they seek to develop and promote a Catholic ethos.  

They would include the distinctive calling of the Catholic educator to ministry and service in an increasingly secularised and materialistic society. The work of Catholic schools in fostering an inclusive, ecumenical vision that works to promote reconciliation in our traditionally divided society. The value of engaging with a theological vision which encourages and resources the Catholic school to be a place of welcome and inclusion in our increasingly multi-cultural and multi-religious society. Finally, addressing the work of social justice, tapping into the richness of Catholic Social Teaching and its vision of the human person and the importance of community and solidarity.  

Option Aims 

• To develop understanding of recent developments concerning leadership in the Catholic school as presented in Church documents and contemporary literature.  
• To gain awareness of the specific nature of the role of leaders in fulfilling the aims of Catholic education.  
• To develop the ability to research, analyse and critically interpret contemporary literature in the area of leadership in schools.  
• To develop the ability to critically evaluate the significance of the role of school leaders.  

List of modules 

EDC7013 Contemporary Management Issues for the Effective School  

EDC7015 Leadership in Catholic Schools  

EDC7059 Contemporary Leadership Issues for the Effective School  

Recognition of the importance of leadership at all levels in the promotion of school effectiveness and improvement is well established internationally. This pathway provides an opportunity to explore this relationship through a study of the principles and practice of educational leadership. The modules focus upon a range of management and leadership functions, as well as the roles and competence requirements of different professionals working in education. They draw upon both theoretical models and examples of good practice within local and international contexts and prepare students for conducting their own research into educational leadership.  

Option Aims 

• To investigate good practice in the management of education in Northern Ireland and facilitate reflection upon the skills necessary for such practice.  
• To enable teachers to understand and reflect upon the concepts underlying good practice in the leadership and management of education so that they can develop and enhance their contribution to effective leadership and management in schools.  
• To advance knowledge of the principles of good management and understanding of the administrative and statutory changes shaping the role of managers.  

List of Modules 

EDC7013            Contemporary Management Issues for the Effective School   

EDC7041            Children and Young People in Crisis: Pastoral Responses   

EDC7059            Contemporary Leadership Issues for the Effective School 

The experience of the pastoral care practitioner is both complex and challenging. This innovative option aims to develop teachers’ competence in maintaining their own well-being and safeguarding the holistic well-being of children and young people.  

Option Aims 

• To provide participants with the opportunity to synthesise contemporary research and scholarship on proactive, reactive and developmental approaches to pastoral care provision.  
• To develop the underpinning qualities, skills and empathetic responses that will empower teachers to look after their own well-being and to nurture effective and independent learners.  
• To facilitate teachers in developing partnerships with the wider community and external support agencies in the promotion of social and emotional education.  
• To assist participants in developing their pastoral care skills and competence in providing emotional and spiritual support to pupils and other members of the school community.  
• To facilitate participants in fostering self-care techniques for the prevention of vicarious trauma and anxiety-related difficulties.  
• To provide participants with opportunities to engage in personal and professional reflection on pastoral practices and the mechanisms and procedures used in response to critical incidents involving pupils and/or school personnel.  

List of Modules 

EDC7041 Children and Young People in Crisis: Pastoral Responses   

EDC7053 Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Teachers and Pupils  

EDC7082 Music Therapy Education 

EDC7088 Art for Wellbeing in Schools Personal Development  

Within the field of education, attention remains firmly focused on the issues attending to special education. The modules within this option provide opportunities for teachers in mainstream and special schools to analyse, evaluate, and reflect on the policies, procedures and practices relating to special education in Northern Ireland.  

Option Aims 

• To develop critical awareness of the policies, procedures and practices attending to special education.  
• To evaluate the possibilities for extending pupil opportunities to participate constructively in the teaching and learning environment in both mainstream and special school settings.  
• To analyse and critically assess global debates, government initiatives, educational research and school practices which seek to address the diverse educational needs among pupils experiencing barriers to learning.  
• To explore the roles of key stakeholders: pupils, parents, teachers, and related professionals.  

List of Modules  

EDC7012 Behaviour Issues in the Context of Special Educational Needs  

EDC7077 Building Capacity in Schools: Advancing Inclusivity to Raise Pupil Outcomes   

EDC7079 Understanding, Supporting and Teaching Pupils with Specific Literacy Difficulties  

EDC7082 Music Therapy in Education  

EDC7085 Understanding and Supporting Autistic Children and Young People in Education  

EDC7087 Autistic Voice and SEN Practice