EMA View As Single Page Assessment 2026 | The Open University

EMA View As Single Page Assessment 

Quality education and educational inclusion

Study Materials

This assignment relates in particular to Block 5 of the module, weeks 25–28, but you should also take evidence from earlier blocks if it is relevant to your writing. Make sure that you have completed all readings and activities for Block 5 before you begin your EMA. All activities during the study weeks for Block 5 support completion of the EMA.

Learning Outcomes

Please see the assessed learning outcomes for the EMA.

To achieve these objectives, you will need to refer to the relevant module materials. For guidance on referencing and any other sources you may refer to, see the Referencing section of the assessment guidance.

Assessment Criteria

Your marker will use EMA-specific grading criteria to mark and give feedback on your EMA.

Part 1: Quality education (1000 words)

In this part of the assignment, you are asked to examine the idea of quality education, drawing on your own ideas, experiences or observations and underpinned by the reading and research that you have undertaken on this module. Does your position contrast with other conceptions of quality, either overall or at the level of detail?

Support your argument by drawing on a range of evidence from Block 5 in particular, as well as across the module and any outside research you have undertaken.

Part 2: Comparative study (1800 words)

In Part 2 of the EMA, draw on your understanding of inclusion in quality education to critically compare one aspect of inclusion in two countries. It would be beneficial to your learning if you choose at least one country that you have not used in a previous TMA, but this is not a requirement. The focus of your comparative study is educational inclusion and its relevance to educational quality, and we suggest that you choose one of the following aspects:

• Physical needs
• Learning needs
• Multilingualism
• Socio-economic status
• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Religion.

With broad topics, such as physical needs, you are free to focus in on a particular area within it. You may also choose another topic, provided you are able to find sufficient information about it within the module. If you would like to choose a different topic (for instance, sexual orientation or parental involvement), you are strongly advised to discuss your choice with your tutor before you begin writing.

Your writing should:

• Consider how policy and practice relating to your topic contribute to the quality of education
• consider the role of national and local policies, material circumstances, classroom practice (i.e. what really happens in classrooms), teacher knowledge and social, political and economic circumstances
• reflect on what theoretical position(s) underlie or are implied by policy and practice in each location
• refer to research evidence that supports or challenges the choices made by teachers and policymakers
• . Draw on module materials and outside sources relevant to your topic. Your outside sources should include at least one academic, peer-reviewed journal article.

You should focus on giving a critical account of how your chosen inclusion topic features in the education systems of two contrasting countries. You may want to give supporting examples from other countries, as a way to demonstrate, with evidence, your understanding of concepts from across the whole module.

To structure your essay, include a clear introduction to the topic that presents a main argument and gives a brief plan for the essay. For each body paragraph, begin with a main point. Provide supporting material to ‘prove’ your points. Use specific examples and explanations to provide depth to your discussion. Additionally, use comparison/contrast language (e.g. similarly, in contrast, however, on the other hand, etc.) to link the ideas in your work or give alternative perspectives. Include a conclusion to your essay.

The aim is to produce an assignment that critically and systematically analyses and evaluates your evidence.

Maintain an objective and professional tone. Provide evidence-based ideas rather than expressing personal feelings and opinions, and avoid making value judgments.

Part 3: Application of learning – next steps (200 words)

This comprises an outline of your planned ‘next steps’ in your academic or professional career.
 
Take time to reflect on how your learning across the module can be applied to your next steps for either your academic or professional career. Complete the template EMA application of learning: next steps, and reflect on the questions and topics in the template.