This module consists of five blocks:
Block 1: Issues in comparative and international education
In this first block, you’ll start by looking at classrooms around the world. Then, it will introduce you to some of the key concepts, theories, research methods, and current topics in comparative and international education.
Block 2: Comparing through reading, watching and listening
The theme of this block is comparing and contrasting educational provision for young children, how children are taught, and the purposes of teaching them. You’ll read widely, and watch and listen to practitioners around the world, to examine how the process of teaching and learning takes different forms depending on context and participants.
Block 3: Inclusive education in different contexts
This block considers aspects of children’s lives that can have a significant influence on the development of their identity and their learning. You’ll also explore the way that being identified as 'disabled' or having 'learning difficulties' varies and may influence interactions, behaviour and educational progress in different contexts.
Block 4: Professionalisation, professional development and professional conversations
The theme of this study block is teaching as a profession, how teachers continue their learning throughout their careers, and considers the many professional conversations through which different perspectives about primary education are revealed. You’ll consider the different ways teachers talk and think about teaching, and learn more about the variety of routes into teaching across the world.
Block 5: The global, the local, the national
This final block draws together key concepts of the module, looking at local situations through the lens of international initiatives such as PISA (Programme for International Student Development) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This move to a macro and international viewpoint broadens the scope of comparisons across education systems and cultures and gives you an opportunity to review and reflect on the comparative theme of the module.
As appropriate for those studying at Level 3, you’ll critically and systematically analyse and evaluate concepts, theories, values, policy, curriculum and practice relating to children’s learning in a variety of primary contexts. In addition, you’ll consider your own learning and experience in the context of specific themes that take into account local, national and global issues for teaching and learning.
This is a practice-focused module. We advise you to arrange to spend at least 5 days in a learning setting during your study. This experience will be helpful if you wish to apply for postgraduate teacher training.
You'll also be assessed on your collaborative work with other students on this module. This includes looking at and commenting on others’ work, reflecting on others’ comments about your work, and working together with fellow students on a project/task.
This module will provide you with knowledge and understanding of:
The module will be of relevance to:
E309 strongly positions students who will seek employment within the education sector upon completion of the degree, wish to apply for teacher training in the primary age range or are considering further study at the postgraduate level.
If you’re thinking about training to be a teacher, see our booklet Becoming a teacher.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
We’ll advertise tutorials before the module starts. E309 tutors will lead these tutorials, although depending on the tutorial, it may not necessarily be your assigned tutor. We recommend booking online to attend. There will be sixteen online learning events: six module-wide events, five tutor group or cluster group tutorials, and five assessment ‘cafés’ (question and answer sessions).
Course work includes:
The TMAs have a variety of written and visual assessment tasks, including essays, an information handout, a group reading report, a personal development plan, a recorded PowerPoint presentation (screen recording) and a report. Some tasks will be assessed on how you work with other students. This includes looking at and commenting on others’ work, reflecting on others’ comments about your work, and working together with fellow students on a project/task.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
You'll also be provided with a printed reader Learning and Teaching Around the World: Comparative and International Studies in Primary Education edited by Kimberly Safford and Liz Chamberlain
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
E309 is a compulsory module in our:
E309 is an option module in our:
Comparative and international studies in primary education (E309) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2034.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
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If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
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Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
