This task requires you to identify a priority issue impacting on well-being and engagement with learning in your present professional context. You are required to develop a critical review of relevant literature, including a succinct description of the priority issue and its impact on well-being and engagement with learning. You should also consider the issue in relation to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as well as current policy priorities and present a summary of the policies and practices commonly recommended in the literature for addressing the identified priority issue.
Purpose
To demonstrate applied understanding of:
a) the literature and evidence base relating to a priority issue that impacts well-being and engagement with learning in a school context
b) how current policies and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching apply to the priority issue
c) key policies and practices commonly recommended in the literature for addressing the identified priority issue.
Learning outcomes assessed:
LO1: Articulate the complex construct of “wellbeing” across relevant disciplines (e.g., education, health, and the social sciences) and consider why wellbeing is so important to address in school and other learning contexts.
LO2: Analyse key theoretical perspectives as well as philosophical underpinnings (e.g., inclusion, social justice and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching) that are shaping wellbeing research, policy development and practice.
LO3: Review the critical role of educators and allied professionals as change agents for social justice, inclusive practices, and wellbeing in schools and the wider community
LO4: Critically analyse key international, national and local policies and practice frameworks relevant to promoting and sustaining the wellbeing of children and young people and articulate common elements and differences.
LO5: Design initial action plans, informed by local policies, practice frameworks and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to address critical issues at a “whole school” or “whole-of-context”.
Elements of the assessment
Identify a priority issue impacting on well-being and engagement with learning in your present professional context
Consider your school context and identify an area that you consider hindering of student engagement, learning and well-being. If you don’t work in a school or educational context you could consider your experiences back when you were a student.
Examples of critical issues are explored in Module 3. You’re welcome to focus on one of the issues covered in Module 3 if it is relevant to your school context or select a different issue.
Provide a brief overview of your school context e.g., type of school, location, key demographics and any unique features of your school context
Provide a critical review of the literature
Think about a succinct but meaningful way to structure your analysis. Below is an example of a possible essay structure:
Introduction
School context
Define and contextualise the priority issue
Impact of the issue on well-being and engagement in learning
Connection to policy and Catholic Social Teaching (or your school’s ethos)
Summary of recommendations
Conclusion
Make links to recent and seminal academic research
The usual minimum standard is mainly primary sources and literature that has been peer reviewed. Journals will specify their review processes. Referencing your work is an essential aspect of academic writing. Use APA 7th edition. See the following link for sample papers using APA 7th edition: https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples