Comparative and international studies in primary education
In this module, you’ll explore learning and teaching around the world and the social, historical, political, cultural and philosophical influences on primary education in different contexts. At its heart is a discussion and comparison of the similarities and differences experienced by teachers and learners around the world. You'll be introduced to theories and concepts of comparative education studies and the different pedagogical approaches in local, national and international contexts. You’ll examine the relationships between educational theory, policy and practice. You’ll consider different perspectives on educational issues and critically evaluate evidence to develop, synthesise and present arguments to explore different practices.
What you will study
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.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic or experiential requirements to study this module.
However, we strongly advise you to arrange to spend time in a learning setting for children aged between 3 and 12 – for example, a school, outdoor learning centre or museum – for at least 5 days to observe learning and teaching and gain exposure to a practice context. This experience will be helpful if you wish to apply for postgraduate teacher training.
Note: Access to education settings will require you to meet the ‘fit person’ criteria in your country to work with children. You and your setting are responsible for ensuring you meet these requirements, not the OU.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
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).
Assessment
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
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.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
module study materials
audio and video content
assignment details and submission section
online tutorial access
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
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
Software – You will be required to use PowerPoint as part of an assessment. This is provided as part of Office 365.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying E309 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Comparative and international studies in primary education (E309) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2034.