Psychology Curriculum 1

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2025/05
Institute / School :Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Unit Title: Psychology Curriculum 1
Unit ID: EDMAS6016
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): Nil
ASCED: 070105
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This unit will revise postgraduate Pre-Service teachers (PSTs) knowledge of the scientific nature and diversity of the field of Psychology and its key experiments. It will examine current psychological theories and enable PSTs to make them comprehensible, memorable and enjoyable to students. The unit will acquaint PSTs with the curriculum and assessment procedures of V.C.E. Units 1 & 2, and encourage them to explore how the curriculum frameworks can be used to create optimal participation, learning and enjoyment for students. PSTs will reflect critically on their teaching practice in the light of research findings into learning, memory and group interaction. They will investigate links between the Dispositions for Effective Teaching and Core (High Impact) Teaching Strategies.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:
Supplementary Assessment:No
Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit.
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                        
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Knowledge of the concepts, substance and structure of the relevant senior Psychology curriculum documentation and guidelines, including assessment and moderation requirements.

K2.

Understand contemporary theories, research and research practices related to the field of Psychology.

K3.

Gain awareness of effective learning, teaching and assessment strategies and approaches in the Psychology specialist teaching area.

K4.

Develop understanding of the application of ICT and the use of literacy and numeracy teaching strategies in the Psychology teaching area.

K5.

Gain knowledge, skills and competence to apply Core Teaching Practices in the context of Psychology teaching.

Skills:
S1.

Apply the research skills needed to trace original research reports in either print or non-print media.

S2.

Plan learning sequences that consist of engaging classroom materials in a variety of media for a variety of learning needs.

S3.

Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.

S4.

Competently develop and evaluate a range of appropriately differentiated, resourced and sequenced lessons or units of work.

S5.

Evaluate the use of formal and informal formative assessment to enhance students reflective capacity and Psychology knowledge and skills.

S6.

Apply literacy and numeracy teaching strategies in the Psychology teaching area.

S7.

Apply the Dispositions for Teaching and the Core Teaching Practices in the context of Psychology teaching.

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Create a sequence of lessons with a focus on VCE and teach one of the lessons.

A2.

Reflect on curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment through a journal.

Unit Content:

Topics include
• Refreshing knowledge of the scientific nature and diversity of the profession of Psychology and its key experiments
• Current theories in Psychology and using well organised classroom activities and clear directions to make them comprehensible, memorable and enjoyable to Units 1 & 2 VCE Psychology students Planning, structuring and sequencing curriculum and lesson plans in Psychology.
• Formal and informal assessment opportunities and procedures of V.C.E. Units 1 & 2, and the exploration of how these procedures may be used to create optimal participation, learning and enjoyment for secondary students
• Reflecting on teaching practice in the light of research findings into development, learning, attention, memory and group interaction
• The relationship between the Dispositions for Effective Teaching, Core (High Impact) Teaching Strategies and effective teaching VCE Units 1 and 2 in Psychology.

Graduate Attributes:
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.

K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, A1; APST: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1

Design a sequence of lessons with a focus on Units 1 or 2 Psychology which includes teaching strategies that cater for diverse learners, resources (including the use of ICT), assessment approaches, and a personal reflection on learning. PSTs teach a VCE unit 1 or 2 lesson from within the unit that is well managed and includes clear directions, has differentiated content, appropriate resources and assessment, and effective teaching strategies.

Curriculum design with teaching performance

50-60%

2.

K1, K2, K4, K5 S3, S6, S7, S8; APST: 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 4.1, 5.1, 5.4

Produce a reflective journal that examines curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment issues, student work samples, and resources.

Reflective Journal

40% - 50%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency