Reflect on their learning and professional experiences to enhance professional identity.

Useful sources

• Trodd, L. and Trodd, L. (eds.) (2016) The Early Years Handbook for Students and Practitioners: An essential guide for the foundation degree and levels 4 and 5. London: Taylor & Francis Group.
• Cottrell, S. (2013) Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Professionalisation Sub-Group of the Early Years Forum (2020) Code of Professional Responsibilities and Code of Ethics for Early Years Educators. Available at: https://cavanccc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/5383_DCYA_CoPR_A4_v10_Web.pdf. (Accessed: 13 October 2022).
• Barnardos and the National Childhood Network (2021) Continuing Professional Development in Early Learning and Care. Dublin: DCEDIY.
• Teaching Council (2016) Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers. Available at: https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/publications/fitness-to-teach/code-of-professional-conduct-for-teachers1.pdf. (Accessed: 13 October 2022).

Module Learning outcomes

Assessment C must address LO1 and 6

1. Reflect on their learning and professional experiences to enhance professional identity.
2. Demonstrate ability to evaluate and plan for development of study skills and monitor achievement.
3. Demonstrate ability to source and manage appropriate information.
4. Show competence in referencing other people’s work in a precise and systematic way.
5. Apply knowledge about major principles and concepts of research to design a coherent and ethically appropriate small-scale research project.
6. Articulate and critically reflect on the impact of learning on development of their professional values.

Assessment C: A reflective essay

Requirements

This assessment requires the student to reflect critically on what they have learned while undertaking and engaging with this module/programme and the impact of this on the development of professional values and identity.

Word count: 1500 words +/-10% (Word count must be between 1350 – 1650)

Referencing: In-text citation required to support all points/claims made. Reference list must be provided and formatted in line with PI HR Referencing Guidelines available in Unit 9. A minimum of 5 academically sound sources must be used.

Turnitin: This assessment will be submitted on Turnitin.

Reflect deeply on how your deepening knowledge has impacted your professional development, identity, and values.

Structure

It will take a formal critical stance so revisit the Units on academic writing and formatting and writing reflectively.

• An introduction should be provided (approx. 5% of the word count) – this introduces the reader to the topic and signposts the essay for the reader.
• A conclusion should also be provided, here, the writer summarises the main points in the essay. A conclusion is generally 10-15% of the overall word count.
• The main body divided into paragraphs with approx. 2-3 paragraphs per page.
• Ensure there is one main point per paragraph.
• This essay should be written in formal academic English.

Thinking points

1. What is professional identity and values and what role do they play in education?
2. Reflect on your own professional identity and values?
3. Reflect on how this module has addressed gaps in your knowledge and how has your knowledge been deepened and enhanced?
4. How will undertaking this programme enhance your professional identity and values?
5. Have you become more self-aware? Do you understand what you need to do to improve academically and in your practice?
6. How has your understanding been developed through researching and planning evidence-based action research?
7. Reflect on how your learning from this experience will inform future practice?