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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Introduction to Teaching Methodologies
Module Code EDS1048 (ITS: ED1301)
Faculty Policy & Professional Practice School DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

This aim of this module is to consider the relationship between teacher, learner and methodology with a particular focus on Religious Education/English/History/Music in the post primary school. The module seeks to enhance the student teacher's ability to apply a range of activity based methods to achieve planned outcomes in Religious Education and English/History/Music. The module has a strong focus on keeping pupils at the heart of learning by focusing on school culture and inclusive pedagogical practices.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the impact of pupils’ backgrounds and identities on learning and the need to provide for the holistic development of the pupil, particularly through differentiated approaches.
2. Evaluate, using internal and external criteria, a range of teaching methodologies for Religious Education and English/History/Music.
3. Implement a range of methodologies to achieve planned outcomes.
4. Organise and communicate their research in the design and planning of appropriate content and resources for teaching Religious Education and English/History/Music at post primary level within the context of the diverse needs of learners.
5. Integrate new knowledge regarding curriculum, pedagogy and assessment into their practice.
6. Understand the needs of pupils with additional learning needs and begin to plan inclusive teaching/learning/assessment strategies for the Religious Education/English/History/Music classroom.
7. Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of key themes and concepts in Religious Education and English/History/Music classroom and be able to teach these key concepts/themes in the post primary classroom.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture24No Description
Workshop24No Description
Independent Study77No Description
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN10494Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorElaine McDonaldModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentCase based assessment: 1. Students will respond to a teaching/learning case based scenario from an RE/English/History/Music classroom creating a poster presentation outlining how they would respond to the case 2. Students will write 300 words outlining the rational for their response.100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

School culture and context
Students will examine school culture and how it impacts on teaching and learning and the implementation of curriculum policy

Differentiation
Students will explore the factors that promote and hinder effective learning, the impact of pupils’ backgrounds and identities on learning and the need to provide for the holistic development of the pupil, particularly through differentiated approaches.

Inclusion
Students will explore the concept of inclusive education, the challenges faced by pupils with special educational needs and the strategies that are required to ensure that all pupils can access the curriculum.

Literacy and Numeracy
Students will identify and explore the opportunities to enhance and embed literacy and numeracy in the Religious Education/English/History/Music classroom.

Key Concepts
Students will explore key themes and concepts in Religious Education and English/History/Music in the post primary school.

Planning
Students will explore the subject matter, pedagogical content and related methodology of the relevant curricula/specifications and guidelines and how these can be extended to all pupils.

Methodology
Students will explore and consider the application of embedded, experiential and expository methodologies in the post school classroom.

Assessment
Students will explore the theory, concepts and methods pertaining to effective teaching, learning and assessment, both summative and formative.

Resources
Students will access, develop, adapt and use a variety of curriculum resources and materials for learning and teaching to support and challenge all pupils

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs: 2017, So, How Was School today: Report of a survey on how young people are taught and how they learn, https://www.comhairlenanog.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/So-how-was-school-today-report.pdf, 522212
  • 0: What is ‘good’ teaching? Teacher beliefs and practices about their teaching, Irish Educational Studies, 32:1, 83-10, https://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/Devine-et-al-2013.pdf, 522213, 1
  • Student Voice: Opportunities and Challenges in the Irish Context: ETBI Journal of Education, https://www.jct.ie/perch/resources/publications/etbi-journal-of-education-october-2019.pdf, 522214, 1, Walsh, Thomas
  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION: https://doi-org.dcu.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/19415257.2020.1725596,
Other Resources

  • 1: Report, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2017, So How Was School Today: Report of a survey on how young people are taught and how they learn,
  • 418803: 1, Website, NCCA, NCCA JC Music Specification,
  • https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Junior-Cycle-Subjects/Music/: 418804, 1, Website, NCCA, NCCA JC History Specification
  • https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Junior-Cycle-Subjects/History/: 418805, 1, Website, NCCA, NCCA JC English Specification
  • https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Junior-Cycle-Subjects/English/: 418806, 1, Website, NCCA, NCCA JC RE Specification
  • https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Junior-Cycle-Subjects/Religious-Education/: 418807, 1, Website, NCCA, Framework for Junior Cycle
  • https://ncca.ie/en/junior-cycle/framework-for-junior-cycle/: 418808, 1, Website, JCT for Teachers
  • https://www.jct.ie/home/home.php:

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