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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Professional Placement
Module Code EDS1058 (ITS: ES538)
Faculty Policy & Professional Practice School DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 25
Description

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in a yearlong extended period of supervised placement in a supportive and collaborative environment. This module will provide structured support for the development of students' agency, adaptive expertise, and identity as inclusive, critically reflective, innovative and creative professionals. Students will be supported to collaborate with and learn from a community of other professionals; other student teachers, treoraithe, as well as parents and the wider school community through their engagement with structured classroom observations, professional conversations and involvement in activities of the wider school community. Through the use of their Taisce, students will document and articulate their personal and professional learning journey specific to planning for teaching, learning and assessment, reflective practice, inclusive education and professional partnerships (including working with parents) while on placement. Students will also partake in a range of teaching and non-teaching (placement related) activities over the course of year while they are on placement. Students will also complete an asynchronous Child Protection module as part of their preparation for professional placement.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate competency in a range of core teaching skills including planning and delivery of inclusive, creative and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment
2. Critically appraise their practice and engagement in professional learning as both a reflective and reflexive practitioner and generate purposeful reflections as part of their Taisce.
3. Exercise judgement and sensitivity in catering for the needs of all learners and a diverse student body.
4. Establish classroom management strategies that support suitable and effective learning for all learners and that promote and maintain positive relationships
5. Recognise and validate their commitment to the required professional standards of the Teaching Council including required professional behaviour in relation to professional and safe practice
6. Engage in professional partnerships and professional conversations with Treoraithe, Placement Tutors, peers and the wider school community.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Professional Practice150Reflective Practice
Professional Practice310Preparation and Practice (Teaching and Non-Teaching Activities)
Independent Study150Independent Study
Lecture15Induction to Professional Placement (including support related to inclusive & partnership-based approaches to learning)
Total Workload: 625
Section Breakdown
CRN10502Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC2Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorMaree O'RourkeModule TeacherGareth Burns, Irene White, Leanne Coll, Majella Mcsharry, Shivaun O'Brien
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Professional PracticeQuality of Planning, Approaches to Teaching & Learning, Reflective Practice100%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

Professional Placement
Across this year long module, students will engage in lectures and seminars which will support their preparation and planning for school based professional placement, the development of their Taisce and approaches to reflective practice. Opportunities will also be provided for students engagement with specific Taisce based activities focused on inclusive and partnership based approaches to education (including working with parents).

Essential Resources
DCU Institute of Education (2024). PME Professional Placement Handbook 2024-2025.



Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2017). Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Dublin. https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Children_First_National_Guidance_2017.pdf



Muijs, D., & Reynolds, D. (2017) Effective Teaching: Evidence and Practice. Sage: London



Schuelka, M., Johnstones, CJ., Thomas, G. and Artiles, AJ (Editors) (2019). The Sage Handbook of Inclusion and Diversity in Education. Sage: London.



Teaching Council of Ireland. (2016). Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers, 2nd Edition. Teaching Council of Ireland: Maynooth. https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/fitness-to-teach/updated-code-of-professional-conduct/



Teaching Council of Ireland. (2021) Guidance for Registered Teachers about the use of Social Media and Electronic Communication. Teaching Council of Ireland: Maynooth. https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/assets/uploads/2023/09/guidance-for-registered-teachers-about-the-use-of-social-media-and-electronic-communication.pdf



Teaching Council of Ireland. (2021). Guidelines on School Placement. Revised Edition. Teaching Council of Ireland: Maynooth. https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/assets/uploads/2023/08/school-placement-guidelines-updated-march-2022.pdf

Other Resources
Website: Department of Education

https://www.education.ie/en/



Website: The Teaching Council of Ireland https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/



Website: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for Schools (NCCA) https://www.ncca.ie/



Website: Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT)

https://www.jct.ie/home/home.php



Website: Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) https://www.pdst.ie/



Website: National Council for Special Education (NCSE) https://www.ncse.ie/

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for ES538