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EDM5003 Science Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies

Semester 2, 2020 Online
Short Description: Science Curriculm & Pedag Stud
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts
School or Department : School of Education
Student contribution band : National Priority - Teaching
ASCED code : 070103 - Teacher Education: Primary
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

There is a demand from education stakeholders for learners to have a solid foundation in science to meet the needs of modern life and to keep economies growing. Instructional methods which provide an opportunity to develop inquiry skills for learners to make sense of the key concepts for science and to address scientific misconceptions are therefore essential in modern teachers who need to make the connections of scientific ideas across different fields and to everyday life. This course addresses a range of Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Synopsis

This course is designed to develop science pedagogical content knowledge for future school teachers from F-6. It has as its major focus the essential knowledge and skills necessary for beginning educators to: interpret contemporary primary science curricula and initiatives in science education; apply knowledge of how learners develop conceptual understanding in science; recognise and be responsive to learner backgrounds, characteristics, experiences and prior understandings which might impact upon engagement and learning in science; and, design and implement well-organised and managed science learning environments.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Apply the concepts, substance, and structure of the content which enable selection of appropriate content, organisation, and use a wide range of teaching strategies appropriate to varied science topics to facilitate student learning (Assignments 1 & 2) (APSTs 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, 3.3)
  2. Plan lesson sequences, including learning goals, resources, supporting students’ wellbeing and safety, and teaching strategies that engage students in their learning of science (Assignments 1 &2) (APSTs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.4. 5.1, 7.2)
  3. Implement appropriate teaching strategies for ICT integration, literacy and numeracy development in planning science lesson sequences (Assignment 1 & 2) (APST 2.5, 2.6);
  4. Leverage the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning in science for teachers, including engagement with colleagues to improve knowledge and practice (Assignment 1) (APSTs 6.2, 7.4)
  5. Apply advanced cognitive, literacy and communication skills, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing (All assessments).

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. The Australian Science Curriculum, inquiry pedagogy and current reforms in science education 15.00
2. Scenarios for teaching, learning and assessing of Physical Sciences 20.00
3. Scenarios for teaching, learning and assessing of Chemical Sciences 20.00
4. Scenarios for teaching, learning and assessing of Biological Sciences 20.00
5. Scenarios for teaching, learning and assessing of Earth and Space Sciences 20.00
6. Professional educator 5.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=02&subject1=EDM5003)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

Campbell, C, Jobling, W, & Howitt, C (Eds) 2018, Science in early childhood, 3rd edn, Cambridge ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Press, Port Melbourne, Australia.
(Early Childhood (prep to year 3) specialisation students only.)
Skamp, K, & Preston, C 2017, Teaching primary science constructively, 6th edn, Cambridge ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Press, South Melbourne, Australia.
(Primary years (years 3-6) specialisation students only.)

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
Allen, M 2014, Misconceptions in primary science, 2nd edn, McGraw Hill/Open ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Press, United Kingdom.
Dawson, V & Venville, G 2007, The art of teaching primary science, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, Australia.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Directed ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 80.00
Independent ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 85.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
ASSIGNMENT 1 40 40 20 Aug 2020
ASSIGNMENT 2 60 60 26 Oct 2020

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    Online Attendance Requirements: There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students’ responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course.

  6. Examination information:
    There is no examination in this course.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Not applicable.

  8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. Referencing in assignments must comply with the APA referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The APA style to be used is defined by the USQ library's referencing guide. This guide can be found at .

  2. Students are required to demonstrate competence in and appropriate use of academic language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and referencing in all assessment responses. Marks allocated to the aforementioned criteria will be specified in the criteria for assessment of all assessment items.

  3. Students are required to submit ALL assignments to evidence meeting or exceeding the mandatory requirements of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APSTs).

Evaluation and benchmarking

In meeting the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app’s aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:

  1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
  2. forms part of the Master of Learning and Teaching and is benchmarked against the
  • internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.
  • professional accreditation standards of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST), Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) and Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Date printed 6 November 2020