NAT-30012 - Module Specification School of Chemical and Physical Sciences Faculty of Natural Sciences
For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026
NAT-30012 - Professional Experience in Education
Coordinator: Daniela Plana Room: LJ1.46 Tel: +44 1782 7 34998
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921
Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Co-requisites
None
Prerequisites
None
Barred Combinations
NAT-30008
Description for 2026/27
This module gives students interested in pursuing teaching or training as a career the opportunity to gain experience in the world of teaching in schools, colleges and other educational settings. You will develop skills highly valued by employers such as communication, and interpersonal skills, whilst learning to address individual needs and developing engaging teaching materials. You will be supported via a range of activities to prepare for your placement and have the choice to source your own placement or apply to university sourced roles.
This module provides an opportunity for Level 6 students to gain first-hand experience of teaching in schools, colleges and other educational settings. It is designed to help final year students gain confidence in communicating their subject and develop strong organisational and interpersonal skills that will be of benefit to them in employment and life. It will enable students to understand how to address the needs of individuals and devise and develop teaching materials appropriate to engage the relevant age group they are working with. This module provides the skills and opportunity to allow the student to act as an enthusiastic role model for pupils/learners, and to offer the student a positive experience of working with pupils/learners and teachers.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Evaluate standard teaching and learning methods through the preparation or analysis of session plans and teaching resources: 1,2Critically reflect on their experience in the teaching environment and communicate this professionally to peers and staff, in oral and written form: 1,2Evaluate interactions with students and staff, in academic and school/college/other educational settings, to provide and receive feedback at an appropriate level: 1,2Apply appropriate organisational, prioritisation and negotiating skills to ensure achievement of defined goals: 1,2Create strategies to address the needs of specific learners, adapting to relevant learning environments, grounded in pedagogy and relevant contextual references: 1,2
Study hours
Active learning (15 hours): 12 hours of preparatory sessions, including careers development training as well as basic pedagogy theory and practice; 3 hours of additional support with academic and/or professional service colleagues (e.g. for securing placements, feedback and advice for assessment, etc.)71 hours independent learning to include: preparation for placement activities; working on presentation; working on the reflective e-portfolio.64 contact placement hours in a school, college or other educational setting. Placements would be able to be taken in either semester, or perhaps across both to support students’ home, study and work life balance. Suggested option include 8 × 8-hour (whole day) sessions, or 16 × 4-hour (half day) sessions. The timing of the placement would be flexible to be agreed between the school and the student.
School Rules
None
Description of Module Assessment