EMS441 Curriculum Method 1: Science (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Curriculum Studies (CURIC)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

This subject explores science education as a medium for the development of adolescent children in the secondary school. It examines current Years 7-12 syllabuses, curriculum materials and recent research in science education. It provides the context for a developmental framework for science education. The major focus of the subject is on promoting skills in selecting, planning and implementing lessons and teaching sequences within a constructivist learning model that are linked to the secondary curriculum documents. The application of information and communication technologies in science teaching is explored.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 1
Distance	Wagga Wagga

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EMS441

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Enrolment restrictions:

Entry into the Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary), Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Education (Health and PE) or as determined by the course coordinator.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

- describe science as a mode of human enquiry and its potential as a medium for the development of secondary school children including subject literacies;
- apply an understanding of learning cycles in science education to the development and design of teaching modules, lesson sequences and the individual lesson;
- appreciate how the influence of the learner's prior experiences and naive understanding of scientific ideas affects the teacher's preparation and programming to develop scientific understanding of concepts;
- construct a program outline for secondary school science which is consistent with current curriculum statements;
- access the range of resource materials available to support the teaching of science-based topics in the secondary school;
- describe management procedures and approaches which will enable them to initiate and guide learning experiences for children;
- design lessons and lesson sequences which employ a range of teaching styles to achieve differentiated education outcomes for a diverse range of students;
- select and apply appropriate assessment and evaluation techniques that focus on using an assessment of learning framework in the teaching of science;
- approach teaching experiences with confidence in their own ability to organise and manage formal learning activities;
- appreciate laboratory safety, risk management and occupational health and safety matters as they relate to science teaching and learning; and,
- incorporate the use of information and communication technologies including dataloggers as part the lesson design and implementation process.

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

- The aims, objectives and learning outcomes contained in the secondary science curriculum documents in Years 7-10 and Years 11/12.
- Metalanguage and concepts in Science education.
- Lesson planning and the inclusion of information and communication technologies as part of the lesson design.
- The use of learning cycles as a model for implementing lessons, sequences of lessons and topics.
- The application of learning theories, psychological and physical development in the planning and organisation of lesson sequences and programs, and classroom management approaches.
- State-wide and classroom assessment and evaluation strategies based upon a standards based context within a pedagogy that focusses on assessment of learning including the interpretation of the Essential Secondary Science Assessment data.
- Laboratory safety and risk assessment in science classes.

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