Welcome

These courses are organised via the Institute of Education, University of Reading. We hope there is something here for you. Please email Dr Berry Billingsley for details and/or to organise your place: berry.billingsley@canterbury.ac.uk  

Mini-Masters: Children’s Developing Thinking in Science and Religion

This course runs for 10 weeks in the Summer term. An opportunity to work at Masters level and also carry out supervised research.

The course is avaiable both as a ‘stand-alone’ course. Another option is to enrol for a Full Masters at Reading and choose this as one of your optional modules.

This module is for teachers and others who are interested in children’s thinking about the relationships between science and religion. Tuition and guidance is provided by distance education, electronic discussion and individual/paired tutorials.

The module will present a range of philosophical and historical positions regarding the relationships between science and religion and will look in depth at children’s thinking in this area as they progress through school. Participants will design and carry out a small-scale piece of research relating to education in this area such as a study of children’s or teachers’ views in school.

The total word count of the assessed coursework will be equivalent to 5000 words. Participants are expected, in negotiation with their tutor, to submit:
i) a short assignment based around an evaluation or the design of a resource for teachers and/or learners (20%).
ii) a dissertation (approx 4000 words) on a small piece of research. Participants will form and investigate a question relating to children’s thinking or education in this area. This could involve a participant study with children, teachers or parents or it could involve a critical analysis of an existing resource or curriculum document(s). It could take a multi-faith perspective or focus on the issues pertaining to one faith position. (80%).

PhD:

We warmly invite you to consider studying for a full time or part time PhD in this theme. Your research could (for example) seek to understand the influences on the attitudes and beliefs of students of media reports of the views of some scientists; you could research the views of parents about what their children should be taught; or you could look at the pressures and opportunities that influence teaching in practice such as the organisation of teaching in schools, the availability of resources, the religious diversity of school communities and recent educational reforms. A number of PhDs studentships are available with a closing date of March.

Ed D:

The Institute of Education offers a 5-year part time Ed D programme. In the first two years, students study research methods. In the following three years, students work with a supervisor and assistant supervisor to develop a research question and carry out a study. All the campus sessions for this programme are during weekends.

One Day CPD

We organise one or two CPD days each year once we have sufficient interest. Contact us to register your interest: lasar@canterbury.ac.uk