Science Curriculum 2

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2024/20

Institute / School :

Institute of Education, Arts & Community

Unit Title:

Science Curriculum 2

Unit ID:

EDBED3129

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

(EDBED3029)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(EDBED3020 and EDDDE3102)

ASCED:

070301

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit follows on from Science Curriculum 1 providing Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) with further opportunities to development their confidence and competence in teaching Science at a secondary level. Within the theme of making Science relevant and interesting for all students it links Science and language; aims for a critical understanding of curriculum issues and curriculum planning skills including excursions and exploration of Science resources; the effective use of ICT for learning in Science; and knowledge of assessment issues and strategies.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Consider the nature of Science as a constantly developing field of knowledge and the processes of scientific thinking which support this development.

K2.	Examine and apply contemporary curriculum policies and guidelines relevant to teaching and assessing Science in the middle years.

K3.	Explore different approaches to assessment and their underlying philosophies, be able to apply these in practical situations, and examine their effectiveness.

K4.	Examine a range of theoretical and pedagogical approaches, including constructivism, relevant to learning and teaching in Science and how they can be applied to practice.

K5.	Know about a range of effective learning, thinking and teaching strategies related to Science.

K6.	Apply critical, creative and practical understandings of the effective use of information technology in Science curriculum.

K7.	Explore a range of resources to engage Science students in learning.

K8.	Apply ethical practices and safe conduct in relation to Science practices.

K9.	Identify how literacy and numeracy skills can be developed among students in Science.

Skills:

S1.	Plan and construct teaching sequences which address current scientific understandings; the links between Science and society; students diverse backgrounds, abilities and needs; and curriculum policy requirements.

S2.	Use a variety of effective teaching and learning strategies and resources including technology in teaching practice

S3.	Articulate and justify teaching practices by making thoughtful connections to theory.

S4.	Communicate effectively with learners and colleagues.

S5.	Apply literacy and numeracy teaching strategies in the Science teaching area.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Develop a teaching journal that provides evidence of the planning of learning sequences and reflection on practice including specific key teaching skills.

A2.	Design a curriculum unit based on constructivist theory, contemporary curriculum guidelines, inclusion strategies and relevant instructional models.

A3.	Research assessment strategies and construct an assessment plan related to a curriculum unit.

Unit Content:

Topics to be covered
• Examining Science as a field of human knowledge and endeavour, the links between Science and other areas of knowledge and between the traditional Science disciplines.
• Linking learning theories to curriculum planning, practice and assessment approaches.
• Further development and critical evaluation of teaching strategies in relation to constructivist theory and the achievement of authentic learning by individual students.
• Exploring, creating and organising resources and connecting to professional and discipline-based networks and community.
• Evaluation, assessment and feedback approaches.

Graduate Attributes:

Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Learning outcomes (KSA)	Assessment task (AT#)
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Not applicable	Not applicable
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative	Not applicable	Not applicable
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving.	Not applicable	Not applicable
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.	Not applicable	Not applicable
FEDTASK 5 Sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.	Not applicable	Not applicable

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8 S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 A1 APST 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 4.1, 4.2, 4.4 5.1	Classroom observations, lesson plans, reflections on lessons, science department culture, and individual research and development of key teaching skills.	Preparation of a teaching journal	30-40%
2.	K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9 S1, S2, S3, S5 A2 APST 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 4.1, 4.2, 4.4	Preparation of a unit of work based on constructivist theory, contemporary curriculum frameworks, inclusion strategies and relevant Instructional Models.	Unit of Work	40-50%
3.	K2, K3, K6, K10 S3 A3 APST 2.1, 2.3, 5.1	Research, preparation, analysis and commentary on assessment approaches used for the unit of work prepared in Assessment Task 2.	Assessment plan	20-30%

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL) - Graduate Teacher: Initial

Attribute			Assessed	Level
Professional Knowledge
	2. Know the content and how to teach it
		2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2 Content selection and organisation Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.	Yes	Advanced
		2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.	Yes	Advanced
		2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.	Yes	Advanced
Professional Practice
	3. Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
		3.1 Establish challenging learning goals Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.	Yes	Advanced
		3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.	Yes	Advanced
		3.3 Use teaching strategies Include a range of teaching strategies.	Yes	Advanced
		3.4 Select and use resources Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5 Use effective classroom communication Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.	Yes	Advanced
	4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
		4.1 Support student participation Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.	Yes	Advanced
		4.2 Manage classroom activities Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.	Yes	Advanced
		4.4 Maintain student safety Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.	Yes	Advanced
	5. Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
		5.1 Assess student learning Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.	Yes	Advanced