However, overall the written evidence suggests that the impact of the course
remains limited in many respects. Thus, despite very strong positive evaluations of
the course by the students (and the course has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by the government agency responsible for inspection of ITE and by external examiners),
there was only limited evidence of impact on students’ declared views and understandings
of NOS, even for Cohort 3, despite an increased focus during the course.
This is set against very clear evidence of changes in views about teaching and
learning with each cohort. Thus analysis of Starting Point B essays showed that
most students were stating and giving examples of how they had changed or developed
their views on teaching and learning, while at the same time either saying little
about NOS or noting that their views about NOS had not changed.