Learning and Teaching at M-Level: A Guide for Student Teachers

About the Book

Your teacher training or professional development course will now probably include Masters level assessment and credits as teaching 'becomes an M-level profession' and a greater emphasis is placed on helping teachers develop deeper understandings about aspects of learning and teaching through a higher level of critical reflection.

This book will guide you through the various different aspects of doing M-level work at either primary or secondary stage, and help you to develop a deeper professional understanding.

Your ability to research and understand learning environments will form a key part of making you an inquisitive and better teacher, and engagement with research underpins the book.

Chapters include primary and secondary vignettes and examples to help link theory into practice, as well as reflective questions, activities and suggestions for further reading.

This book is relevant to all trainee and qualified teachers working across the age ranges of 7-19.

Table of Contents:
Introduction What Is the Book for? Who Is the Book for? How Might You Engage with the Book? PART ONE: THE IMPORTANCE OF ENQUIRY IN ENHANCING LEARNING Teacher Professionalism Today Developing a Deeper Understanding of Learning Considering Theories for Learning The Student Teacher as Researcher PART TWO: KEY METHODS AND WAYS OF DOING ENQUIRY Looking at Classrooms Observing Children Doing Qualitative Research Reading and Writing Critically Doing Fieldwork: Interviews and Questionnaires PART THREE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MOVING FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER Working with Other Professionals Developing Professionally at Masters-Level

About the Author :
Simon Hoult is Programme Director of the Secondary PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University. He teaches on the professional studies course and is subject leader for geography. Before working in higher education he held teaching and management positions in secondary schools and LEAs.

Review :
′This excellent book firstly provides an understanding of the historical, political and cultural contexts in which teachers become professionals today. It offers a critical but constructive approach to enquiry-based teaching, learning and research so that teaching professionals can read, look, listen, observe, theorise, write, reflect, evaluate and take action in their classrooms at Masters Level. It is therefore invaluable in seeing classrooms and teaching as complex in nature, with the thinking, questioning professional teacher at the heart of the learning taking place. I will buy this for my students - and strongly urge others in ITE and CPD to do so!′ - Jo Westbrook, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Sussex, UK This text addresses some key issues in education such as learning theories. A strength of the text is the modelling of critical engagement with, and problematisation of, educational issues. There is useful guidance on the development of critical thinking and reflection as key skills at M-level. very useful extra text (or core text): interesting too! The book focuses on key elements of students working at PGCE M-level and I have decided to use particular chapters of the book as essential readings for some parts of the course. The title will be recommended for next year. This book is a useful addition for those students who have embarked upon Masters level study through continuing professional development. I can see it as being of more use when/if we move to Masters level programmes for all student teachers. This book is a useful addition for those students who have embarked upon Masters level study through continuing professional development. I can see it as being of more use when/if we move to Masters level programmes for all student teachers. excellent as resource not only for PGCE students but will recommend for my planned Master students. I did not use this book because I′m not much involved teacher education from this year. However, I will recommend the book to some other colleagues to see what they think. Thank you! All 170 trainees have this as a recommended text for next year Informative and good supportive material. Full of useful material about the importance and relevance of research for trainee teachers, and also how to set about doing it.

I enjoyed the ′vignettes′ especially - great word to use!

It will be included on our recommended reading list. helpful, but not essential for this particular unit excellent resource for trainee teachers A very useful text for our students who are studying modules at M level as part of their PGCE. In particular, Part 2: 6, 7 & 8 are very appropriate for the needs of our students. We will be including this as a core text next year. Good, clear guidance in how to develop critical analysis of educational theory, adapted to pedagogy and reflecting on what is likely to be experienced in a school setting. I will certainly be recommending this book to students on my course and suggesting that colleagues in other subject ares do the same. This book is a neat, purposeful and user friendly introduction to M level work -particularly suited, I think, to PGCE students. A useful text which provides a clear rationale for research-informed teaching. Useful as a supplemental text for those working at level 6 as well as M level, although many undergraduate ITT students may be put off by the title and assume it is not for them. This is a shame as the activities and definitions are not beyond anyone about to embark on a career in teaching, whatever the route. A user friendly book to support those student teachers who are working towards M level. The book is clear and easily accessible and no doubt will be on the desk whilst putting together the written assessments for the PGCE and other ITE programmes. Excellent chapter on gathering qualitative data and writing case studies. Very relevant for both our PGCE and MTeach students. This is a really useful text for students who are beginning Masters level courses. A valuable book which I will include on reading lists for my PGCE students and my Masters students. I will ensure copies are available in the library. A sound theory base which then moves onto practical application as teachers. Learning is concerned with that of students wishing to become tecahers but there are also links made with learning in classrooms. Useful text in supporting students making the transition between level six and seven. Well set out to support on going reflection. While the book has much of value and will be of interest to some students, I personally found it organisationally less easy to follow than some comparable texts. An excellent book which is well writtend and an easy read. Well thought out chapters. A book you can quite easily dip in and out of. Recommended for all Masters students. A carefully structured book enabling the learner to easily identify appropriate chapters and sub sections. I very much like the reflection activities. On a one year PGCE course there is little time for students to develop an understanding and appreciation of working at Masters level. This book is very useful in challenging students′ preconceptions about learning; in explaining how they can learn from what might initially seem like an overwhelming experience (in school) and in encouraging them to reflect critically on their practice in order to improve it. This is a useful introduction to M-level study and will be placed on the reading list for my PGCE students. The guidance on reflection is helpful and accessible. This book has some very good chapters on doing qualitative research, reading and writing critically, undertaking interviews, questionnaires and data analysis, and very helpful advice on CPD and reflective learning. It also gives a good background to the theories of learning. I will definitely be recommending it to my students. Learning and Teaching at M-Level is clearly written and highly relevant for students new to Masters work in Education. The reflection boxes help them to develop their understanding of the relationship between theory and practice. A particularly helpful text for those wishing to study for a PGCE at M-level. This book provides an accessible introduction to educational theorists and thinkers alongside useful guides for carrying out classroom observations. I would recommend this for any student teacher undertaking a school-based route into teacher training. A wonderfully useful text which engages students in a user-friendly way. This is a must for any trainee teacher who is required to undertake research as part of their studies. As a tutor I will definitely be drawing on the well-crafted, informative chapters when devising my lectures and seminars. God book for M Level enquiry. A useful supplementary text for students working at M level. I will recommend it fot the library and imagine it will become a popular addition.