The Professional Master of Education (Music) programme is offered over four, thirteen week semesters, which take place within two academic years.
Semester 1
EN6151 Becoming a Teacher: Identity and Agency
This module aims to help student teachers to identify and critically analyse influences which shape the individual in becoming a teacher and to also focus on the key concepts of communication and reflection as significant processes in professional identity formation.
EN6161 Understanding Learning
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to different theoretical views of how people learn and the factors influencing this learning. Employing an evidence-based perspective, it aims to challenge the lay theories often associated with learning as a result of formal educational practices.
EN6171 Planning for School Placement
The purpose of this module is to prepare students for their first teaching placement by introducing key aspects associated with planning, preparation and classroom practice. Employing an evidence-based perspective, it aims to explore different approaches to planning, pedagogical techniques and classroom management.
MU6031 Practical Skills of Music 1
This module explores students’ own performing skills and creative music making abilities in order to address the facilitation and production of a variety of music making possibilities. Students will research and explore ensemble music, choral singing, school bands, orchestras, percussion and recorder groups, singing, traditional Irish, popular and world musics.
MU6041 Music Pedagogy
This module facilitates the student teacher’s initial experiences in the school music department. Junior and Senior cycle music syllabi are reviewed in relation to issues of implementation. Transition year music programmes are designed through research and reflection. Structures of subject knowledge, innovation in the classroom and performing platforms are addressed.
Semester 2
EN6152 Understanding Teaching and Learning
The student will be enabled to develop further the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the planning, preparation, management, reflection and evaluation cycle associated with their teaching and the learning experience while on their first school placement. Students will be enabled to engage in a productive way with their school placement experience.
EN6162 School Placement 1
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EN6010 Research Methods 1
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to educational research and its contribution to policy and practice. The module will outline the different paradigms of research and provide examples of significant research studies that have emerged from these different perspectives. The module will also introduce students to a range of different research methodologies and provide examples of educational research that have employed these various methodologies. During this module students will also begin to plan their overall research design so issues of appropriate methodological design will be emphasised along with ethical and practical considerations.
MU6041 Practical Skills of Music 2
Students will develop skills in conducting in a variety of contexts. Students will increase their competence specifically in vocal skills, keyboard skills, composition, arranging and in the use of music technology. Students will develop their competence in their performance of one or more musical instruments appropriate to post-primary education.
Semester 3
EN6153 Understanding Schools
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EN6163 School Placement 2
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EN6210 Research Methods 2
The purpose of this module is to further develop students’ understanding of educational research. The module will build on the content of EN6010 and develop students’ research capacity. The module will support the student as they engage in the research process by introducing students to a range of different research tools including interviewing, observation, documentary analysis, questionnaire design. The module will also introduce students to data analysis.
MU6003 Practical Skills of Music 3
Students will further develop skills in conducting. Students will further increase their competence in vocal skills, keyboard skills, composition, arranging and in the use of music technology. Students will continue to develop their competence in their performance of one or more musical instruments appropriate to post-primary education.
Semester 4
EN6054 Curriculum Policy and Reform
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EN6064 History, Policy & Contemporary Issues in Education
The objective of this module is to allow student teachers to examine educational policy and institutions in their historical context. The module is also designed to reflect changes and current trends in modern Irish society and locate professional practice in its broader context. In particular, the module will outline the relationship between the social, economic and political structures of modern Ireland and the education system. It will enhance students’ understanding of the historical sociology of the Irish education system and enable them to think critically about it.
EN6084 Teacher as Professional Practitioner
This module follows school placement and affords students the opportunity to critically reflect on their experiences to identify and question assumptions they hold about the nature of teaching, learning and schooling in cooperative groups that model collegial learning and cultivate research capacity. This context is explored in a conceptual framework of teacher professionalism that emphasises action, change and lifelong learning.
EN6074 Research and Practice Portfolio
Prospective teachers will be assisted in selecting, reflecting on and linking evidence of their achievement of the Teaching Council learning outcomes to best practice, recognising theories and assumptions from the research that guide their practice and collaborative dialogue about teaching and learning.
EN6094 Reporting Educational Research
The purpose of this module is to assist pupils in completing their research paper associated with the research project they have engaged in during their teaching practice placements. It also aims to assist the students in analysing and interpreting the research data collected and presenting the findings to their peers.
MU6003 Music Education Independent Study
This module offers students the opportunity to pursue self-directed learning of an academic, composition or performance-based project, under the guidance of the course director and an independent study supervisor. The student may pursue an advanced specialised study or may access other areas of expertise available at Irish World Academy.
Course assessment is based on school placement, research portfolio, continuous assessment and semester assignments/examinations.
