Features
The aim of the study programme is to educate students to become academic professionals, who, as experts in the field of learning, can actively apply academic knowledge in practice and contribute to the development of the profession. The study programme aims to develop expertise specific to the profession in three educational areas, namely:
- the development and assessment of expertise;
- the design of learning environments, educational materials and teaching modules; and
- professionalisation and consultancy in organisations, particularly educational organisations (providing mainstream education, vocational education and company training courses).
The research-related and substantive educational learning outcomes are formulated in terms of:
Here, knowledge and understanding concerns knowledge and understanding with regard to academic research and knowledge and understanding of the specific substantive domain of educational design, assessment and professionalisation in organisations. In addition, knowledge and understanding of current educational issues plays an important role.
The level of knowledge and understanding has both a deepening and broadening aspect. Working in professional practice requires a broad foundation to be able to plan, manage and coordinate educational projects effectively. It concerns a multidisciplinary overview of the entire domain of educational design, assessment and professionalisation.
Graduates of the Master's programme have knowledge and understanding of the methodology and theory formulation of educational design and implementation, assessment and quality requirements, professionalisation, quality improvement and organisational change, as well as knowledge and understanding of recent developments and urgent current issues and problems in these areas.
At the methodological level, graduates have knowledge and understanding relating to the analysis of existing scientific knowledge and formulation of a problem definition, development of a research design, data collection and analysis, reports and critical discussion of research results and academic integrity.
The application of knowledge and understanding requires methodological and educational skills from the student.
Graduates of the Master's programme in Educational Sciences are able to:
- analyse complex issues in the area of educational design, assessment and professionalisation in organisations from multiple theoretical perspectives and relate these to academic and social debates;
- interpret results from existing research and apply these to professional practice at an academic level;
- apply skills in the area of design methodology, testing and evaluation and the development of professionalisation projects in an academically justified way;
- carry out independent research in the area of educational design, assessment and professionalisation in organisations, as well as choose suitable methods for complex cases and realistic practical situations;
- plan, manage and coordinate educational projects and implement innovations.
The ability to form a balanced judgement while taking into account social and ethical responsibilities is an integral part of the work of an educationalist. This involves carefully weighing up different, sometimes conflicting, interests when dealing with various stakeholders (clients, learners, research subjects and other parties).
Graduates of the Master's programme in Educational Sciences are able to:
- act professionally and critically reflect on the consequences of their own actions towards other stakeholders;
- reflect critically on information they have gathered themselves based on theoretical, methodological and social considerations;
- reflect critically on developments and discussions in science and society with regard to current social issues, on the basis of well-founded theoretical considerations substantiated by research and to critically examine their own views and insights on the basis of recent developments;
- reflect critically on the professional ethics of academics in the wider social context of accumulating and applying knowledge.
Effective and clear communication to the client, other professionals and stakeholders concerning the design, judgement or advice is of essential importance in the work of the educationalist. Professional reporting (oral or written) implies a clear structure, explicit use of sources, a theoretical and methodological foundation, a systematic assessment of arguments and transparency in conclusions or advice.
Graduates of the Master's programme in Educational Sciences are able to:
- cooperate with other educationalists, lecturers, professional experts, clients and other stakeholders;
- communicate academic knowledge and views in the area of educational design, assessment and professionalisation in organisations to other educationalists, students in higher education, clients and other stakeholders through written reports in articles and papers and orally express academic knowledge, insights, debates and their research results;
- translate academic discussions, publications of scientific research and the results of their own research into tangible activities or policy conclusions.
For professional practitioners, a critical and reflective academic attitude towards the development of their own expertise and professionalism and recognising and fulfilling their learning needs is essential for continuing to work in the field in an academically and ethically sound manner.
Graduates of the Master's programme in Educational Sciences are able to:
- keep themselves informed of academic literature and developments in the area of educational design, assessment and professionalisation in organisations (through the use of digital and non-digital resources);
- learn from personal communication and feedback;
- shape their own careers by demonstrating the willingness and ability to develop their own competences and by contributing to their field and the development of it.