Literacy lift off - Reading with Children

Course Director: Dr Dermot Burns
Email: dermot.burns@nuigalway.ie
Seminar Location: Room T306
Seminar Meeting Time: Thursdays 1-3pm

This service learning module offers students the opportunity to engage with the local community through a work placement in a local primary school in order to develop practical skills and experience in the field of literacy and reading support. Students learn to apply theoretical information to real life issues. In addition to attending a two-hour reflective seminar per week (Thursdays 1-3 PM), students will spend one hour supporting children with their reading in a teacher-supervised classroom at a local primary school (within 10 minutes’ walk of campus) on Tuesdays from 10-11 AM. All readings will be made available online via Blackboard.   

The core objective of this module is to enable students to gain work-based experience, skills, and knowledge, which are of benefit to their academic, professional and personal development, in the area of childhood literacy. This service learning module offers students the opportunity to engage with the local community through a work placement in a local primary school. Students undertake placements outside of the university setting to develop practical skills and experience in the field of literacy support, reading skills and writing tutorials. Students learn to apply the theoretical information which they have attained through the academic element of the programme to real life issues. In addition to attending a two-hour seminar per week, students will spend one hour supporting children with their reading and writing in a teacher-supervised classroom at a local primary school (within 10 minutes’ walk of campus). Students will submit a reflective learning portfolio about their work experience at the end of the course. During their studies, students will learn how to listen to the voices of school students, how to develop strategies and techniques to overcome literacy and reading obstacles, how to use new technologies to engage students more actively in the learning process, and how to reflect critically on their own contribution. Through the production of presentations, reports and written and oral reflections, they will learn how to integrate research into the undergraduate learning experience and by engaging in collaborative projects they will gain a stronger understanding of the value of service learning at university. 

Garda Clearance requirement 

It is a requirement of this course that all students taking it comply fully with the university's Garda vetting procedures regarding working with children. Full details on how to obtain this clearance will be provided before the seminar begins. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of important theories and perspectives relating to literacy acquisition and the value of reading, as well as how Irish society responds to the challenges associated with these important educational and social issues. 

2. Create educational resources aimed at encouraging literacy in primary school-aged children and be able to reflect critically on the design and delivery of these resources in terms of how they support literacy and reading skills. 

3. Gain experiential learning of how local schools in the Galway area provide support and structure for children in order to develop their reading skills as well as developing an appreciation of the relationship between the university and community organisations in respect of the concepts of service learning and civic engagement. 

4. Demonstrate evidence of an ability to reflect on the academic content of the course, including critical analysis of relevant scholarly work, and relate it to personal experiences in their service placement. 

Required Texts 

All reading material will be provided on Blackboard or in hard copy during class time. 

Method of Assessment 

Assessment:  30% Continuous Assessment (one mid-term assignment); 70% Final Assignment. 

Policy on Late Work 

Late continuous assessment submitted during the teaching semester is penalised at -2 points per day. Should you encounter exceptional circumstances that warrant a short extension for a piece of continuous assessment, you should promptly present your documentation directly to your seminar leader, who will make appropriate arrangements with you. Seminar leaders to not have the authority to offer extensions for or accept late submissions of final essays/projects, however. Late final essays/projects in all English seminars will only be accepted in the case of well-documented circumstances (such as medical emergencies), and such extensions must be negotiated explicitly with the relevant Head of Year. See the 2BA or 3BA/4BA Handbook for more details. 

Academic Integrity 

Along with collusion and other forms of academic dishonesty, plagiarism (the unacknowledged use of another person’s words or ideas) is one of the most serious academic offences, as it involves fraud and misrepresentation. If you have any questions about plagiarism or doubts about the documentation in your assignments, you should consult with your seminar leader before the assignment is due. Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism is not a defence. For more details, please refer to the information available in the 2BA or 3BA/4BA handbook.