Programme Overview
The Master of Education (M. Ed) in Geography programme for in-service teachers aims to produce passionate, knowledgeable and skilled teachers who are competent, committed and possess right attitude towards their discipline and teaching, and are responsive to the changing needs of the Bhutanese society and the wider world. The programme will enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of Geography, curriculum theory and practice, contemporary pedagogical methods including instructional and assessment strategies. Further, the programme will enhance students’ understanding of Geographical aspects of human society and the physical environment, and their complex relationships. A special feature of the programme is the students’ engagement in educational inquiry and research through which they will become creative, critical, and reflective practitioners. The programme will prepare students to serve as change agents in identifying and developing solutions to issues that impact geography education in the country, including curriculum change, teaching and learning, assessment practices and geography educational change in the international context.
The duration of the programme
It is a 2 years full time programme leading to MEd in Education in Geography of Royal University of Bhutan (RUB).
How the programme was developed
The programme was conceptualized and developed through extensive research, consultations and collaborations between different stakeholders and professionals working in diverse settings both in government and private organizations in the country. Further, professionals and academics from outside the country were also consulted and engaged in the programme research and development through the institutional collaborations.
Programme outcomes
- enhance geographical knowledge and pedagogical practice of secondary school geography teachers;
- use contemporary educational theories and philosophies in learning and teaching geography;
- exhibit skills in Geographical data acquisition, classification, manipulation storage, cartographic representation and communication;
- analyse contemporary issues in geography to enhance learning and teaching;
- apply enquiry based learning and teaching approaches to enhance the quality of student learning;
- evaluate quality and effectiveness of their professional practice and initiate ways to improve;
- apply authentic assessment strategies to evaluate student learning experiences ;
- design and implement an independent research that incorporates key elements of educational inquiry and helps improve their professional practice;
- provide academic leadership for the professional development of teachers.
- apply strategies that will encourage learners to work productively and assume responsibility for their own learning;
- manage classroom setting to engage learners in meaningful exploration, discovery and hands on activities within a supportive environment that nurtures and inspires learners to participate, cooperate and collaborate in teaching learning process;
- develop and apply a personal philosophy of teaching that engage learners;
- plan, manage and implement developmentally sequenced teaching and learning processes to teach Geography in the secondary schools;
- select, develop, organize and use appropriate teaching and learning resources including ICT to address learning competencies of learners.
- implement timely and constructive feedback to improve learner performance.
- use effective communication skills through a range of media for a range of audiences and purposes.
- engage in professional reflection, set development goals, and exhibit values of lifelong learning.
- adhere to professional ethics, the Code of Conduct for Teachers and other relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
- exhibit appropriate qualities expected of a teacher, including Bhutanese values and etiquette.
Why should they enroll in the programme?
The Master of Education (MEd) in Geography programme for in-service teachers aims to produce passionate, knowledgeable and skilled teachers who are competent, committed and possess right attitude towards their discipline and teaching, and are responsive to the changing needs of the Bhutanese society and the wider world. The programme will enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of Geography, curriculum theory and practice, contemporary pedagogical methods including instructional and assessment strategies. Further, the programme will enhance students’ understanding of Geographical aspects of human society and the physical environment, and their complex relationships. A special feature of the programme is the students’ engagement in educational inquiry and research through which they will become creative, critical, and reflective practitioners. The programme will prepare students to serve as change agents in identifying and developing solutions to issues that impact geography education in the country, including curriculum change, teaching and learning, assessment practices and geography educational change in the international context.
The M. Ed in Geography programme prepares the students to teach Geography in Secondary Schools. In addition, it will provide opportunities to diversify their careers within the education system in areas such as professional and instructional leadership, educational research and generation of new knowledge, curriculum innovation and development, policy support, local and international collaborations and partnerships, and teacher education, including consultancy. The graduates will be in a position to guide and support teachers especially Geography teachers in their schools with their newly acquired knowledge and skills. For some graduates, this qualification will also be a pathway to a higher educational qualification, such as PhD
Programme delivery and support
The programme will be delivered and supported through a wide range of teaching and learning approaches. Some of them are interactive lectures, tutorials, use of case studies, fieldworks, and project based learning, seminars and workshops.
SCE has a pool of highly qualified faculty in Geography. Other professionals and academics from both within and outside the country will be also engaged in the delivery of the modules through guest lectures, seminars and research supervision.
Programme Structure
Year I Semester I
- PSY502 Principles of Learning and Teaching
- PDY511 Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Geography
- GST501 Introduction to Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing
- RES502 Educational Research Methods
Year I Semester II
- PHG501 Physical Landform Studies
- PHG502 Climate Studies
- RES604 Educational Statistics
- RES503 Dissertation Proposal
Year II Semester I
- CUS502 Curriculum Development and Change
- HUG601 Human Geography
- EVG601 Environmental Geography
- RES602 Dissertation
Year II Semester II
- DEG601 Development Geography
- RES602 Dissertation
HOW TO APPLY?
The announcement for the programme will be made through MoE and SCE websites well before the beginning of the academic year. The aspiring students must apply online. The RUB website will also contain the detailed procedures for the online application
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection criteria will be announced through the MoE and SCE websites.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- BA/BSsc/ BEd/PGDE in Geography
- Possessing a high level of interpersonal skills
For more information about the programme, please contact:
Mr. Kuenzang Gyeltshen
Dean of Academic Affairs
Email: daa.sce@rub.edu.bt
Phone: +975-05-365397
(or)
Mr. Tashi
Program Leader
Email: medgeographypl.sce@rub.edu.bt