Master of Arts in Education

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Independent Distance Learning through Sunderland University

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Tana Scott, the Environmental Management and Geography teacher at Rundle College recently completed her Master of the Arts in Education (M. Ed), with a distinction, through Sunderland University in the UK as a distance learning student.

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The course is delivered by the university to ensure flexibility for the learner and is made up of a number of modules that the student must complete in order to graduate. In addition to allowing flexible study hours for the student it also gives them the option of selecting modules that best fit their area of interest.

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Tana embarked on this journey to broaden her understanding of why specific teaching techniques are so effective, to extend her ability to assist students across the learning spectrum, and to gain insight into international school curriculums and management. She chose to complete the following modules in order to best assist her growth as a teacher and school leader:

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• Development of learning: Learning limitations, how learning happens, the different types of learning and how to encourage the growth of different learning styles.

• Assisting students with English as an additional or second language (ESL): How a teacher and an International school that has a diverse group of global students with different home languages can best assist student growth while studying in English.

• Mentoring and Coaching: What mentoring and coaching is, how a mentor/coach works with both students and team members, and how to apply the appropriate skill to encourage growth.

• Introduction to Criticality: How to think critically, use critical thinking in teaching and encourage critical thinking in the classroom.

• The International Curriculum: What defines an international school and an international curriculum, understanding a curriculum, how to determine areas of concern within a curriculum, and ESL in international schools

• Leading and managing in International Schools: School culture, values and ethics, barriers to communication and professional development in cross-cultural environments.

 

“When I started this journey two years ago I realised that it would be a challenge, however, I had no idea how challenging it was going to become. 2020 meant that not only was there the additional challenge of completing a masters while working and being a parent to three wonderful sons, I was also faced with having to do it while taking on the challenge of switching from an in-class teacher to an online teacher. Teachers in lock-down faced the monumental task of having to change teaching styles, learn how to use new technology and manage students from a distance. While at the same time having to prepare new materials, in a new way, in order to meet the needs of the students. Add trying to complete a three-year Master of Arts in two years into the mix was a stretch.”

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“However, the masters itself was in many ways my saviour because, firstly, I understood online learning through personal experience. Secondly, the distance learning offered by Sunderland meant that I was able to communicate with teachers all over the world who were facing the same challenges, some of them six months ahead of ourselves, and they shared their hard-earned knowledge with the rest of the group. The degree, therefore, gave me an added, unexpected source of support that could be shared with the school. The university also had to switch to working from home so lecturers were under the same pressures as the distance-learning teachers, and their support was outstanding. Would I do it again? Not right now! But would I recommend it to anybody wanting to extend their horizons? Absolutely.”

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“Thanks go to Sunderland University, Rundle College and the online Master student group for making this possible.” Tana Scott

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Rundle College congratulates Tana on this outstanding achievement.

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Principal Dr Stuart Colesky