eLearning at NICE

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What Students Say

  • I found study with the Institute extremely valuable and effective in prompting changes, reflections and constructive self assessment in my teaching practices within the context of the Gospel.
  • This was an excellent course. I wish I had done it much earlier on as it lays down the foundation for understanding the history and purpose of Christian education. I would recommend it.
  • It never fails to amaze me how, as I study each Institute course, I come to certain realisations about areas of my teaching that I need to modify/change. Areas that I have been 'blind' to are highlighted through the study material and I have an opportunity to make adjustments that potentially could result in improved ways of teaching for me, and improved ways of learning for my students as I consider their learning needs to a far greater extent.

About NICE

Study at NICE

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Master of Education

Enrolment Prerequisites
Educators with an accredited four-year professional qualification in education and with significant experience in teaching.

Study Commitment
The course is equivalent to 12–18 months full time study and may be completed on a full time or part time basis over a period of less than 10 years.

Course Structure
Students in this course are required to complete eight units which includes the two mandatory foundational core units:

  • ED500 Foundations of Christian Education
  • ED501 Worldviews in Education

For the remaining six electives students choose one of the following streams:

  • Stream 1: Coursework which involves the completion of six non-thesis electives
  • Stream 2: Coursework and Minor Thesis which involves completing a minor research thesis (16,000–18,000 words) plus two elective units
  • Stream 3: Major Research which involves completing a major research thesis (30,000–35,000 words)

 
Stream 1: Coursework
After completing the two mandatory, foundational core units students complete six coursework electives. The electives are divided into six strands. When choosing electives, students should be mindful that units within a strand complement and build on one another so it is preferable to complete as many units from one strand as possible.

1. Curriculum Strand
The focus is on central issues for practising teachers and curriculum developers and includes the design implementation and evaluation of teaching and learning situations.

  • ED510 Teachers as Curriculum Developers
  • ED511 Reflective Practice in the Classroom
  • ED512 Evaluation and Assessment 

2. Practical Research Strand
The systematic study of classroom experiences is used as a foundation for the development and testing of new ideas and strategies in education practice.

  • ED534 Practical Investigations in Teaching and Learning

3. Teaching and Learning Strand
The ability of educators to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of classroom teaching and learning is encouraged and the ability to successfully plan, design and implement change and classroom innovation is developed.

  • ED520 Ways of Learning
  • ED542 Understanding Innovation in Schools
  • ED543 Effective Teaching
  • ED544 Special Education
  • ED551 Issues in Teaching Mathematics

4. Leadership Strand
School leadership is one of the most critical issues facing Christian schooling. This strand applies the biblical ideas of servant leadership and office to the development of a communal vision and mission. The special challenge of welding a diverse group of teachers into an effective team is addressed, as is the need for teacher appraisal in conjunction with ongoing professional development. Visionary leadership of schools also includes interpersonal and problem solving skills that are necessary in decision making processes.

  • ED531 Directed Reading
  • ED542 Understanding Innovation in Schools
  • ED560 Leadership: Vision and Mission
  • ED562 Ethical Administration and Decision Making
  • ED571 Understanding Christian Schooling in Australia
  • ED573 Stakeholders and the Christian School Community
  • ED581 Comprehensive Essay with Professional Portfolio 

5. Contextual Studies Strand
Grounded in the reality of the classroom, key themes and contexts that have shaped and continue to shape Christian schooling are examined.

  • ED570 Perspectives and Trends in Education
  • ED571 Understanding Christian Schooling in Australia
  • ED573 Stakeholders and the Christian School Community 

6. Summative Integration Strand

  • ED581 Comprehensive Essay with Professional Portfolio


Stream 2: Coursework and Minor Thesis
After completing the two mandatory, foundational core units students complete two elective units and three research units, one of which is a two unit equivalent (18 credit point) minor thesis.

    Elective Units
The two elective units can be chosen from the curriculum, teaching and learning, leadership or contextual studies strands as described above in Stream 1: Coursework. Electives cannot be chosen from the summative integration or practical research strands.

    Research Units
The research units are:

  • ED530 Research Methods in Education with a minimum grade of credit required
  • ED531 Directed Reading
  • ED532 Minor Research Thesis (2 unit or 18 credit point equivalent involving a 16,000 to 18,000 word thesis)

Stream 3: Research
After completing the two mandatory, foundational core units students complete four integrated research units, one of which is a three unit equivalent (27 credit point) minor thesis.

    Research Units
The research units are:

ED530 Research Methods in Education with a minimum grade of credit required

This is followed by:

ED531 Directed Reading
ED535 Quantitative Research Methods in Education or ED536 Qualitative Research Methods in Education
ED533 Major Research Thesis (3 unit or 27 credit point equivalent involving a 30,000 to 35,000 word thesis which includes a literature review generated by ED531) 


SYNOPSES of ALL UNITS
 Please click here for a synopsis of all the units that the Institute teaches.

DIAGRAMATIC OVERVIEW of TEACHING PROGRAM
 Please click here to view a diagramatic overview of the Institute's teaching program.

EXAMPLE of UNIT OUTLINE
Please click here to view an example of a Unit Outline.

 

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