1. Home
  2. Independent Study [EDU6188]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Independent Study

  • Unit Code

    EDU6188

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit involves the independent study of a selected topic of interest. The unit is designed to extend the students understanding on a specified field of inquiry. The outcomes of the unit will be jointly determined by the student and mentor and/or coordinator. Completion of a range of tasks are possible including: a reflective journal, assignments/papers related to the selected topic, presentations to professional groups. Students can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) as part credit for this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and reflect on contemporary issues in educational practice and/or educational research.
  2. Analyse presentations and readings related to the selected topics.
  3. Consider and communicate the implications of selected topics or investigations for educational practice.
  4. Prepare papers/presentations that illustrate active reflection, a consideration of related literature and/or an identifiable position or issue statement in relation to a selected topic.
  5. Undertake independent inquiry.

Unit Content

  1. Students will work independently with the guidance of a mentor to complete the mutually agreed tasks for the semester. Students will prepare a draft Independent Study Contract (week 2) for the mentor to consider. The negotiated then agree upon a contract (week 3) which will provide focus and accountability for the student and mentor to refer to throughout the semester. The contract must include at least three (3) signposts that enable work to be reviewed during the semester.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Independent inquiry, with support from a mentor/lecturer, will provide learning contexts for the designed tasks to be completed. Students will select, from a range of assessment formats, their own way of meeting the designated unit outcomes. Attendance requirements will be flexible as will the opportunity to pursue topics at an in-depth level.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
ProjectProject (5000 words)
ONLINE
TypeDescription
ProjectProject (5000 words)

Text References

  • ^ As determined by the individual study/research topic.
  • Steinberg, S., & Kincheloe, J. (1998). Students as researchers: Creating classrooms that matter. London, United Kingdom: Falmer Press.
  • Murray, L., & Lawrence, B. (Eds.). (2000). Practitioner-based enquiry: Principles for postgraduate research. London, United Kingdom: Falmer Press.
  • O'Donoghue, T., & Haynes, F. (1997). Preparing your thesis/dissertations in education. Katoomba, Australia: Social Science Press.
  • American Psychological Society. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  • Edith Cowan University. (2009). Doctoral and master by research guide: Information for candidates and supervisors 2009. Perth, Australia: Graduate Research School, Edith Cowan University.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

EDU6188|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Independent Study

  • Unit Code

    EDU6188

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit involves the independent study of a selected topic of interest. The unit is designed to extend the students understanding on a specified field of inquiry. The outcomes of the unit will be jointly determined by the student and mentor and/or coordinator. Completion of a range of tasks are possible including: a reflective journal, assignments/papers related to the selected topic, presentations to professional groups. Students can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) as part credit for this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and reflect on contemporary issues in educational practice and/or educational research.
  2. Analyse presentations and readings related to the selected topics.
  3. Consider and communicate the implications of selected topics or investigations for educational practice.
  4. Prepare papers/presentations that illustrate active reflection, a consideration of related literature and/or an identifiable position or issue statement in relation to a selected topic.
  5. Undertake independent inquiry.

Unit Content

  1. Students will work independently with the guidance of a mentor to complete the mutually agreed tasks for the semester. Students will prepare a draft Independent Study Contract (week 2) for the mentor to consider. The negotiated then agree upon a contract (week 3) which will provide focus and accountability for the student and mentor to refer to throughout the semester. The contract must include at least three (3) signposts that enable work to be reviewed during the semester.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Independent inquiry, with support from a mentor/lecturer, will provide learning contexts for the designed tasks to be completed. Students will select, from a range of assessment formats, their own way of meeting the designated unit outcomes. Attendance requirements will be flexible as will the opportunity to pursue topics at an in-depth level.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
ProjectProject (5000 words)
ONLINE
TypeDescription
ProjectProject (5000 words)

Text References

  • ^ As determined by the individual study/research topic.
  • Steinberg, S., & Kincheloe, J. (1998). Students as researchers: Creating classrooms that matter. London, United Kingdom: Falmer Press.
  • Murray, L., & Lawrence, B. (Eds.). (2000). Practitioner-based enquiry: Principles for postgraduate research. London, United Kingdom: Falmer Press.
  • O'Donoghue, T., & Haynes, F. (1997). Preparing your thesis/dissertations in education. Katoomba, Australia: Social Science Press.
  • American Psychological Society. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  • Edith Cowan University. (2009). Doctoral and master by research guide: Information for candidates and supervisors 2009. Perth, Australia: Graduate Research School, Edith Cowan University.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

EDU6188|1|2