BA Education, Leadership and Culture

Students are required to critically evaluate their practical and theoretical knowledge they have developed over the course of their studies on the programme (e.g. in view of specific units) through a 50-hour work placement in an organisation/host that is relevant to the field, and overall programme content, of Education, Leadership and Culture.

This evaluation is to be completed in a work context through the presentation of their learning and reflections from this time. In view of the employability focus the unit pursues, and fundamental knowledge and employability skills developed in the preceding second year placement unit (e.g. application, CV-writing, etc.), students are required to identify, and apply to, placement host organisations of their choice, career interests, and general liking. A pool of potential placement hosts is being gradually developed and may be shared with students who might struggle to find/identify a host organisation. To enhance and maintain university – civic/third-partner relationships, students may opt to choose the same placement as they did in their second year and can also opt to link their placement/work context to their final year capstone project.

The unit requires both an individual report and verbal presentation submission. The assessment allows students to apply the learning from their studies in real-life working environments. Critical and analytical analysis from this experience allows students to showcase their employability and prepare them for future graduate employment.

• Provide an opportunity for students to critically evaluate, their practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in Education, Leadership and Culture, through work placement and academic research
• Provide students with practical experience to support the theoretical elements of the programme completed so far
• Broaden individual skills, knowledge and expertise through targeted application and practice within an educational context or cultural setting (both formal and non/informal)
• Offer a basis for further career development and professional networking 

Framing the world of work in Education, Leadership and Culture in the 21st century
Researching the world of work in ELC
Preparatory skills training for placement: shadowing, note taking/work diary, (participant) observation, etc.)
Equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Intercultural communication and collaboration in 21st century global workscapes
Assessing risks
Managing time and workload
Utilising the placement for your Final Year Project
Identification and reflection on ELC theoretical elements relevant for the placement
Theoretical and practical reflection on professional conduct and ethos in workplaces 
Transition and preparation for post-study careers

The unit offers students a diverse, yet purposeful, mix of learning and teaching methods. First, a set of lectures (5x2 hours) will prepare students for their placement and the world of work in the realm of education, leadership and culture. In this context, a range of ‘job profiles’ in the area of cultural education in formal and non-formal context, urban education, heritage education, education and social justice/equity, formal and informal digital education, will be introduced, with a reflection of the ‘leadership’ and wider skills sets associated with these profiles. As such the unit ties in neatly with, and build on, other units offered to students on the programme in Y1 and Y2 with a view to enhance employability in these areas beyond graduation. Whilst unit leads will facilitate most lectures, guest speakers who work, or hold leadership positions, in education and culture, will be invited to share, and reflect on, their professional practice. Likewise, UoM employability services will be invited to inform students about relevant resources, programmes, etc.

Secondly, students are required to engage with 10 hours of asynchronous learning in preparation of their placement. This is guided and programmed by the unit leads and includes learning through selected audio-visual online sources (videos, podcasts, blogs, websites, Ted talks, etc.) which provide valuable insights into the world of work in education, leadership and culture. Students are asked to critically reflect on these online resources via online discussion forums.

Thirdly, five hours of student support/contact is offered to students during their placement period, to update the unit lead about their experience and help with any critical issues that may occur.

Finally, five hours of workshops will be offered to students in view of their assignment preparation (report and presentation) to support students with the development of their report writing and presentation skills. This includes individual feedback on draft reports.

• Assess their knowledge and skilling priorities for graduate employment
• Appraise theoretical knowledge learnt during the programme and apply this in a work or academic context.

• Critically evaluate their knowledge and skills in work or academic-based contexts
• Critically reflect on how their knowledge and skills are aligned to employability and graduate destinations

• Identify and practice vocational/transferable skills
• Examine their skills and identify ones to improve upon in graduate life
• Gather information and evidence of good educational practice in-situ in their work placements

Have practiced the skills of critical enquiry into, and analysis of, the work of an organization, conducting a research project, making an oral presentation and report writing.

Via Blackboard, Turnitin 15 working dates after submission

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