Master of Education

About This Course

Tabor’s proud history of delivering ‘best practice’ teacher education in South Australia spans more than 20 years.

One course in particular offers teaching practitioners advanced professional academic development and outstanding preparation for leadership in educational settings.

Launched in 2001, Tabor’s Master of Education (MEd) offers teachers an opportunity to pursue their choice of unit-specific interests or Christian perspectives. As always, Tabor’s academic staff are committed to working with students to achieve desired learning outcomes.

During their Master qualification studies, students are encouraged to critically reflect on their professional practice and school environment.

The delivery of the course content is designed to develop leadership skills and awareness in students, in the hope that they will positively impact on colleagues individually and educational establishments organisationally.

Students will also undertake research activity, the culmination of which will be a dissertation  which contributes to the realm of teaching practice.

Professional Outcomes

Tabor’s Master of Education (MEd) course is suitable for all teachers, in particular current or aspiring unit/year-level-coordinators as well as school leaders and key teachers. Teachers who undertake this course will enjoy the opportunities afforded during their study. Additionally, principals and school communities will also reap the benefits of such educated and specialised staff.

The Master of Education units provide a variety of advantages:

• A strong Christian perspective
• Knowledge and development of contemporary leadership in education
• Demonstration of evidence-based pedagogy
• Broader insights in personal and professional transformation
• Development of research skills in Education
• Leadership in revitalisation of unit-specific teaching in schools
• Curricula evaluation and critical application of pedagogical approaches

Flexibility within assessments to accommodate own school context
The structure of the course is such that it is ideally suited for part-time study, alongside continuing professional employment in schools. Students undertaking it can experience outstanding care and support from full time Tabor staff members

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge 

Graduates of a Master of Education Degree (Coursework) will have: 

• advanced and integrated understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge in a discipline and/or area of professional practice
• knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to Education including teaching practice.

Skills 

Graduates of a Master of Education Degree (Coursework) will have: 

• cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
• communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences

•  technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, and implement developments that contribute to professional practice in Education 

Application of Knowledge and Skills 

Graduates of a Master of Education Degree (Coursework) will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills: 

• with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning in Education.
• with high level personal autonomy and accountability
• in planning and execution of a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship

Graduates of Master of Education will be able to…

Knowledge

• Identify, analyse, and critique contemporary educational research in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of methodologies used. 
• Evaluate advances in educational practices in relation to pedagogy, curriculum implementation and development, and leadership in educational settings. 
• Review, critique and formulate school-related policies around student learning and well-being. 
• Analyse and critique teaching and learning approaches that focus on diversity including culture and worldviews.

Skills 

• Critically reflect on own teaching practices leading to improved practice. 
• Identify educational issues and utilise appropriate research design to address them. 
• Synthesise and evaluate traditional and action research within the educational research community. 
• Undertake independent research in education focusing on an area of choice.  
• Communicate research findings to extend or contribute to existing knowledge and understanding, or to inform professional practice. 

Application of Knowledge and Skills 

• Develop and implement professional development programs and Education-based research (or related initiatives) to enhance overall school outcomes, teaching practice, curriculum development and implementation, and student learning. 
• Develop, justify and implement effective leadership initiatives within educational settings, either faith-based or secular.