ESS744 - Science Curriculum Inquiry

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Seamus Delaney
Cohort rule:

Students commencing in 2020 must be enrolled in course D304, D351, E377, E760, E763, E763T or E765

Prerequisite:

D304 students must have passed 24 credit points of study at levels 1, 2 & 3 with a minimum WAM of 60%

Students enrolled in course E762, E763 and E765 must pass EEE754 plus 1 unit from EEE755, EEE756, EPR721, EPR731, EPR751, EPR781

Students enrolled in course E377 - minimum discipline study requirement is successful completion of three relevant units of science with at least one of these units at the second year level.

Otherwise: Nil

Corequisite:

Students enrolled in course E762 must complete EPR724 or EPR784

Students enrolled in course E765 must complete EPR754 or EPR784

Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

In Person Attendance Requirements
Students who are completing professional experience (placements) are not required to attend classes or scheduled synchronous sessions during the placement.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 3-hour scheduled seminar (recording provided) and 1 x 1.5-hour online seminar per non-placement teaching week (approx. 6-9 weeks)

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Time engaging in learning activities is expected to total a combined equivalent of 8-10 hours per week

This includes engagement with materials, responses to tasks, regular forum posting and responding to others, scheduled synchronous online discussions and independent study during non-placement teaching weeks (approx. 6-9 weeks)

Note:

E762 Internship students should not be enrolled in this unit.

Please contact Student Services to confirm your course map.

Content

The principal aim of this unit is to prepare students for teaching middle year and secondary science through an inquiry approach.

The unit will focus on aspects such as curriculum influences and curriculum design (both in Victoria and nationally). Each aspect of this unit will complement and support specialisms offered in other Science Education Curriculum Inquiry Studies.

The inquiry approach to teaching and learning science will be deeply explored, through engagement with a broad range of topics, such as the nature of science and the rationale for teaching it, research into student's understandings of science and thus the implications for teaching science, and scientific literacy in communities, including public engagement with science.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Demonstrate an advanced, integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge, including conceptual, cognitive and developmental theories of learning and of barriers to learning, specific to science and effective pedagogical approaches in science education

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Employ effective interpersonal, oral, written and electronic communication skills to interpret and transmit knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and to establish positive and inclusive learning environments that contribute to student engagement and motivation

GLO2: Communication

ULO3

Critically evaluate and synthesise information relating to student learning, taking into consideration contemporary theories of curriculum and pedagogy to make judgments about the use of appropriate teaching, learning and assessment strategies

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills in order to research, analyse, develop, and adapt a range of curricula and learning activities in response to the specific needs of students across the full range of abilities

GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 - Written report and presentation of a teaching resource 2000 words 40% Week 5
Assessment 2 - Unit development and literature review 3000 words 60% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link ESS744
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list.

Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.