1 This resource contains example(s) of linking theory, research policy, and practice in Education-related disciplines. Follow the steps below to customise the slides for your course: 1.Choose an appropriate example extract from a student assignment (graded A) 2.Copy the extract into the example slides (slides 4&5) 3.Highlight words and phrases that illustrate effective linking of theory, research, policy, and practice 4.Provide the full version of the assignment  students identify further examples (slide 6) 5.Encourage the students to bring in their own writing (slide 6) 6.Delete guidance slide 1 in this resource before using in your sessions Guidance on customising this resource How to link theory, research, policy, and practice in assignments PAD team for further guidance In this resource: Referring to relevant theory enables the author to ‘make sense’ of practice, by conceptualising the meaning of the practical activity. Similarly, grounding practice or own research in a broader body of research / literature provides broader context and invites comparison and interpretation. Introducing policy documents into the narrative helps the author build a critical argument around how well policy guidelines reflect, or support current practice situation; or, on the contrary, how the complexity of current practice points to limitations of official policy.

Write to attract a higher grade: How to demonstrate links between theory, research policy, and practice 2

Discussion: How do we link theory, research, policy and practice in academic writing? 3 o What are the differences and similarities between theory, research, policy and practice? o Why would your lecturers want to see links between these in your assignments? o Think of instances/ parts of assignments - where would it be most suitable to demonstrate these links? o How might you be able show evidence of linking these concepts in assignments? How to demonstrate links between theory, research, policy, and practice

Example 1. How does the author demonstrate a link between theory, policy, and practice in the following extract? 4 Reflective Diary (Early Years Education) “The importance of a high-quality learning environment is emphasised in the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2012) within the theme ‘enabling environments’, the EYPs have a vital role to provide ‘the right kind of learning environment’ (Whitebread, 2008). The nursery learning environment appeared to be what Claxton and Carr (2004) term potentiating, this is a powerful environment which invites the expression of positive learning dispositions and actively stretches and develops them. The adults and children within the nursery frequently participate in shared activity in which they co-construct learning, the observations show both adults and children involved in the learning process, with the adult facilitating and supporting the child’s learning and development through interaction, this reflects the dispositions of a potentiating environment (Claxton and Carr, 2004). How to demonstrate links between theory, research, policy, and practice

Example 2. How does the author demonstrate a link between theory, policy, and practice in the following extract? 5 Supporting Early Learning: Reflective Diary “It is important to consider the place of reflection not only in academic critical reflection but also in daily classroom practice. Reflection in the Early Years forms part of continuous formative assessment, allowing educators to observe children, reflect on their observations, and use them effectively to build a curriculum planned around their needs and interests. This is articulated by Hurst (1997: 80), who agrees that ‘Observation is the foundation of education in the early years. It is through recording and reflecting on children’s activities and interests that we can gather information necessary for the construction if an appropriate curriculum. The recently revised EYFS (DfE, 2012) that will come into effect from September 2012 reflects these principles in a statement on assessment, suggesting that it ‘involves practitioners observing children to understand their level of achievement, interests, and learning styles, and to then shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations’ (DfE 2012, EYFS Statutory Framework: 10).” How to demonstrate links between theory, research, policy, and practice

Task 1: Can you identify any other examples of linking theory, research, policy, and practice in the text provided? Justify your answer. 6 Task 2: Identify evidence of linking theory, research, policy, and practice in your own and / or your peers’ writing. Alternatively, establish where you could demonstrate links between theory, research, policy and practice in your writing. How to demonstrate links between theory, research, policy, and practice