Guía Docente 2023-24
ANGLOSAXON EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM: BEST PRACTICES

BASIC DETAILS:

Subject: ANGLOSAXON EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM: BEST PRACTICES
Id.: 32505
Programme: GRADUADO EN EDUCACIÓN INFANTIL. PLAN 2015 (BOE 17/08/2015)
Module: MENCIÓN LENGUA EXTRANJERA (INGLÉS)
Subject type: OPTATIVA
Year: 4 Teaching period: Primer Cuatrimestre
Credits: 6 Total hours: 150
Classroom activities: 68 Individual study: 82
Main teaching language: Inglés Secondary teaching language: Castellano
Lecturer: Email:

PRESENTATION:

This module introduces you to the analysis and evaluation of best practice educational models. Although the title of this subject refers to Anglo-saxon educational systems, other educational systems from countries where English is not the first language will also be included so that you will acquire a global perspective on educational best practice for teaching and learning. Throughout the course you will identify and critically evaluate key factors, both external and internal, which contribute to best practice models: pedagogical approaches and methodologies; teacher support and training; institutional/ governmental support; cultural and historical contexts. You will learn how to explain relevant differences and similarities between different countries by using a wide range of sources such as policy documents, articles, statistics, videos and themed discussion. You will demonstrate your learning through written and oral presentation formats. You will evaluate key aspects of your own country's education system by placing it in a wider context in order to show how educational borrowing and convergence takes place between countries and highlight some of the unintended consequences.  You will compare and contrast best practice models from different countries and create a checklist of key factors relating to best practice, which ultimately will inform your own teaching practice. You will learn to question the educational systems around the world on the basis of your own critical analysis and reflection. 

 

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES ACQUIRED IN THE SUBJECT:

General programme competences G01 Capacity to analyse and synthesise information from different sources.
G03 Capacity to organise, plan and self-assess the work undertaken.
G04 Capacity to apply information technologies critically and constructively as tools to promote learning.
G05 Capacity to work in a team and cooperate with other professionals from the same or a different sector.
G07 Capacity for interpersonal communication in English (oral and written) at a minimum B2 level (per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to adapt to the academic and professional requirements of the Degree.
G10 Capacity to generate new ideas through initiative, innovation and creativity for effective adaptation to educational needs and the job market.
G12 Capacity to self-assess, nurturing learning, scientific research, practice based on evidence and scientific and social progress.
Specific programme competences E01 Understand the educational and learning processes for the 0-6 age group in family, social and school contexts.
E02 Know the advances in childhood psychological development for the 0-3 and 3-6 age range.
E03 Know the basics of early care.
E04 Recognise the identity of this stage and its cognitive, psychomotor, communicative, social and affective characteristics.
E28 Know of international experiences and examples of innovative practices in preschool education.
E42 Know the language and literacy curriculum at this stage as well as the theories on acquisition and development of the corresponding material learned.
E43 Encourage speaking and writing capacities.
E44 Know and master techniques in oral and written expression.
E46 Understand the change from orality to writing and know the different language registers and usage.
E47 Know the learning process and methodology for reading and writing.
E48 Address language learning situations in multilingual situations.
E49 Recognise and assess suitable usage of verbal and non-verbal language.
E50 Know and use resources suitably to encourage reading and writing.
E51 Obtain literary training and be particularly aware of children's literature.
E52 Be able to initiate a first look at a foreign language.
E67 Capacity to understand the main ideas of complex texts which cover specific and abstract topics, even if they are technical - as long as they remain within the person's field of specialisation. In addition, capacity to understand the pedagogical bases in the holistic learning of content and foreign language.
E68 Capacity to interact with native speakers with sufficient fluency and ease that the communication occurs with minimal effort on the part of either speaker.
E69 Capacity to work as a Preschool English Teacher using the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) method.
E70 Capacity to produce clear, detailed texts and design didactic units in line with the pedagogical principles for learning content and foreign languages.
Regulated profession competences P01 Know the objectives, curricular content and assessment criteria for Preschool Education.
P02 Promote and enable learning in early childhood - from an overall inclusive perspective - of the various cognitive, emotional, psychomotor and volitional aspects.
P03 Design and regulate learning areas, in the context of diversity, which cleave to the individual educational needs of the pupils, gender equality and respect for human rights.
P07 Promote the independence and individuality of each pupil as educational factors in early childhood emotions, feelings and values.
P09 Effectively address language learning situations in multicultural and multilingual situations.
P10 Express oneself orally and in writing and master the use of different expressive techniques.
P15 Accept that teaching is a matter of getting better and adapting to scientific, pedagogical and social changes over the course of the career.
P17 Reflect on classroom practices to innovate and improve teaching. Acquire the habits and skills to learn alone or with others and foster this among the pupils.
P19 Find quality improvement models that can be applied to educational establishments.
Learning outcomes R01 Know the education system in English-speaking countries.
R02 Identify Good Practices in teaching implemented in the education systems studied.
R03 Assess the most noteworthy of the Good Practices analysed.
R04 Establish connections between the English-speaking education system and its Spanish equivalent.

PRE-REQUISITES:

It is essential that students taking this course have  a good B2 level to be able to cope with the demands of the subject. 
 
Students are expected to participate actively in class, ask questions, share opinions and develop a critical thinking mindset.

 

SUBJECT PROGRAMME:

Subject contents:

1 - Introduction to Comparative Education
    1.1 - What is comparative education?
       1.1.2 - Brief overview of its development
       1.1.3 - What is the purpose of comparative education?
       1.1.4 - Who compares?
       1.1.5 - The challenges of comparing educational systems
2 - How are comparisons made?
    2.1 - Secondary sources in comparative education
       2.1.2 - The statistical use of data in educational comparisons
       2.1.3 - Databases on systems of education
       2.1.4 - The use of international surveys on student achievement
3 - Culture and Education
    3.1 - The meaning of culture, and national culture in particular
       3.1.2 - The relationship between national culture and education
       3.1.3 - The cultural context in which education takes place
4 - Economic, political, social and historical contexts
    4.1 - The economic variables that affect education
       4.1.2 - The political forces that shape education
       4.1.3 - The relationship between society and education
       4.1.4 - The historical context for understanding comparisons
5 - Education and the developing world
    5.1 - What is meant by 'development'?
       5.1.2 - International Development policy
       5.1.3 - Theoretical explanations for 'underdevelopment' and inequality
       5.1.4 - Barriers to education and possible solutions
       5.1.5 - Gender and education (gender inequality in developing world, global gender patterns and cultural explanations
6 - Analysing and evaluating Anglo-saxon educational practices
    6.1 - Critical and comparative analysis of educational practices in the U.K., the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand and Canada
       6.1.2 - Internal and external factors contributing to best practice in these countries
7 - Analysing and evaluating European education practices (English not L1)
    7.1 - Critical and comparative analysis of educational practices in Finland, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands
       7.1.2 - Internal and external factors contributing to best practice in these countries
8 - Analysing and evaluating East-Asian educational practices
    8.1 - Critical and comparative analysis of educational practices in Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore
       8.1.3 - Internal and external factors contributing to best practice in these countries
9 - Drawing conclusions and creating a checklist for best practice based on research and evidence

Subject planning could be modified due unforeseen circumstances (group performance, availability of resources, changes to academic calendar etc.) and should not, therefore, be considered to be definitive.


TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODOLOGIES AND ACTIVITIES:

Teaching and learning methodologies and activities applied:

Learning and teaching methodologies are based on a socio-constructivist approach in which learners construct and co-construct their understanding of the knowledge and concepts acquired. Classes will normally be based on an interactive approach with students and lecturer working through a wide range of class activities. The class format will consist of a blend of interactive lecture, class discussion, and debate. Activities will include Flipped Learning, case study method, problem solving, mini presentations and interactive learning. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate and reflect on the issues and topics covered during the course. Therefore, it is essential that students keep up to date with compulsory readings so that they can participate in class discussions as informed and active members.

 
Tutorials
Students are encouraged to avail of tutorial sessions as during these sessions, students can ask questions, clarify concepts, ask for additional bibliography, etc. Some tutorial time will be devoted to assistance with group work and the ePortfolio. Your lecturer will inform you about tutorial times.
 
Independent Study
Students are expected to complete all assessment assignments and independent study tasks mentioned in this syllabus.  As regards assessed assignments students are required to upload their completed tasks on the PDU on the due date as penalties may incur if assignments are submitted after the submission date.
 

 

Student work load:

Teaching mode Teaching methods Estimated hours
Classroom activities
Master classes 15
Other theory activities 6
Practical exercises 6
Practical work, exercises, problem-solving etc. 12
Debates 5
Coursework presentations 6
Films, videos, documentaries etc. 4
Workshops 2
Other practical activities 4
Assessment activities 8
Individual study
Individual study 24
Group cousework preparation 12
Project work 6
Research work 12
Compulsory reading 12
Recommended reading 4
Portfolio 12
Total hours: 150

ASSESSMENT SCHEME:

Calculation of final mark:

Final exam: 30 %
Oral Defense: 30 %
Portfolio: 40 %
TOTAL 100 %

*Las observaciones específicas sobre el sistema de evaluación serán comunicadas por escrito a los alumnos al inicio de la materia.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND DOCUMENTATION:

Basic bibliography:

MARSHELL, Jennifer. Introduction to Comparative and International Education. London: Sage Publications, 2014
CREHAN, Lucy. Cleverlands. London: Unbound, 2016
SAFFORD, Kimberly and Liz Chamberlin. Learning and Teaching around the world: Comparative and International Studies in Primary education. Oxon: Routledge, 2018
HERNANDO CLAVO, Alfredo. A journey to 21st education. This is how the most innovative schools work. Madrid: Fundación Telefónica, 2015

Recommended bibliography:

HATTIE, John. Visible Learning for Teachers. Oxon: Routledge, 2011
HEWITT, Des and Susan Tarrent. Innovative Teaching and Learning in Primary Schools. London: Sage Publications, 2015
CHRISTODOULOU, Daisy. Seven Myths about Education. London: The Curriculum Centre, 2013

Recommended websites:

School systems around the world https://asiasociety.org/global-cities-education-network/school-systems-around-world
Schooling the word: the myth of progress https://educationpolicytalk.com/2014/04/01/schooling-the-world-the-myth-of-progress/
Comparing education systems https://lpilearning.org/comparing-education-systems/
So you want to compare education systems from different countries? Where to start https://theeconomyofmeaning.com/2013/11/01/so-you-want-to-compare-educational-systems-from-different-countries-where-to-start/
Comparison of education systems around the world https://yin-yang-india.com/tag/comparison-of-education-systems-around-the-world/
Escuelas changemaker: España http://spain.ashoka.org/educacion-changemaker/escuelas-changemaker/escuelas-changemaker-ashoka/
Colegio Monserrat: Las 4 transformaciones de la educación https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pssc9YiruU
Comparative and International Education: Issues for Teachers https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/cidec/Research/Issues_for_Teachers.html#film
How Finland created one of the best educational systems in the world by doing the opposite of the US http://www.openculture.com/2017/05/how-finland-created-one-of-the-best-educational-systems-in-the-world-by-doing-the-opposite-of-u-s.html
Copy paste or inspiration? Comparing countries in education https://theeconomyofmeaning.com/2012/08/18/copy-paste-or-inspiration-comparing-countries-in-education/
How the job of a teacher compares around the world https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/sep/05/how-the-job-of-a-teacher-compares-around-the-world
About the OECD www.oecd.org/about/
Strong performers and successful reformers in education www.pearsonfoundation.org/oecd/germany.html
Teaching best practices around the world https://asiasociety.org/global-cities-education-network/teaching-best-practices-around-world?page=1
Teaching and learning research summaries https://teacherhead.com/2017/06/03/teaching-and-learning-research-summaries-a-collection-for-easy-access/
What we can learn from the 5 most innovative schools in the world https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/can-learn-5-innovative-schools-world/
Innovative trends in learning http://innoveedu.org/trends


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