Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching

Course details

This level 9 programme  is designed to support the development of learning and teaching within third level, further education and post primary sectors  The suite of offerings provide academics with the opportunity to develop their professional practice . The modules explore the link between effective teaching and reflective practice, providing learners with the scope to critically analyse their own teaching practice. The programmes offer a variety of pathways for students from the study of a single certificate to completion of the full Masters in Learning and Teaching.

A key aspect of the programme is the relationship between effective teaching and reflective practice; the imperative to reflect not only on what we should teach, but how effectively we teach. In every module critical reflective practice, based on evidence rather than anecdote, is required and used as the basis for self-evaluation and self-improvement. The collection and analysis of evidence will therefore be a prominent feature of the Programme as a whole.

The programme promotes a student centred approach to teaching and learning. It supports the professional development, providing an opportunity to develop skills through practically focused modules. The programme reflects the growing understanding of the central role of assessment and evaluation in learning and teaching and the importance of academic writing and research at every stage of education. Students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively across disciplines with practitioners from all levels within education. In this way the programme provides a unique opportunity for educators across the North West/West to deepen their understanding of teaching and learning across different stages of education.  Key features include:

• Focused on developing professional practice in learning and teaching
• Leading national and international best practice speakers
• Blended learning delivery
• Work based learning and research in all modules
• Block delivery over 2 years
• Assessment is assignment based
• Links theory to practice

Minimum Academic Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are a Level 8 Degree, minimum of Second Class Honours, Grade 2 or equivalent. LYIT operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPL) scheme where applicants may be considered based on relevant work and other experience, for exemptions from programme modules and advanced entry.

Proposed Modules

• Student Centred Learning and Teaching
•  Academic Writing in Research
•  Assessment
•  Enhancing Learning and Teaching through Creativity and Scholarship
•  Research Methods
•  Elective module
•  Research Project

The elective choices are:

• Technology Enhanced Learning
• Inclusive Curriculum
• Educational Leadership Management
• Effective Supervision
• Restorative Practice: A Transformative Approach to
• Teaching and Learning
• Recognition of Prior Learning

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the MA in Learning & Teaching, the learner will be able to:

• Critically analyse and evaluate the key features and structures of relevant academic texts relating to strategies, theories and models of effective learning, teaching and assessment.
• Evaluate and integrate theory, research and practice, to enhance student-centred learning and teaching.
• Compare and contrast effective teaching skills and strategies used by self and others, sharing ideas concerning this with peers and other colleagues via mentoring, peer review, critical review and self- reflection.
• Engage in independent learning and communicate effectively.
• Demonstrate creativity, and where relevant, originality, through practitioner based research/critical reflective practice. 
• Plan and carry out complex research projects in specific curricular areas of teaching including dissertation/research papers.
• Prioritise, analyse and interpret main research sources and findings relevant to the field of study in the context of a research dissertation.