ESS767 - Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Maria Vamvakas
Cohort rule:This unit is only available to students enrolled in D304, D351, E377, E760, E763, E765
Prerequisite:

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

Students enrolled in course E763 or E765 commencing 2020, must pass unit EEE754 plus 1 unit from EEE755, EEE756, EPR731, EPR751, EPR781

Students enrolled in course D351 or E377 must pass ESS444 or ESS744

Corequisite:Nil
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 seminar per week (non-placement weeks)

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

1 x 1.5 hour seminar per week (non-placement weeks)

Content

This unit will develop students' mastery of contemporary theories of teaching and learning in secondary biology with a focus on senior biology (years 11 and 12) both within and beyond Victoria. Consideration will be given to the new (2022-2026) VCE Biology Study Design.

Students will critically reflect on the implications of curriculum change. Students will model and critically evaluate current pedagogical practices and analyse the relationship of these to research practices in contemporary biology. Students will use research literature to design innovative learning sequences involving resource and assessment design to support secondary students’ understandings of difficult concepts.

Practical, hands-on, inquiry based laboratory, field, and virtual activities will be investigated and adapted to complex teaching and learning environments.

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 contemporary theories and pedagogical models in the area of biology curriculum and assessment, conceptual, cognitive and developmental theories of learning, and of barriers to learning biology

Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge specific to the content areas to be taught and effective pedagogical approaches in secondary education. Demonstrate capacity to research critically on professional practice and the scholarship of biology teaching

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO2

Employ effective interpersonal, oral, written and electronic communication skills with peers and students. Design, implement, communicate and evaluate professional practices that establish positive and inclusive learning environments that contribute to student engagement and motivation

GLO2: Communication

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Select, evaluate and use a range of digital teaching and learning tools and resources to support student engagement and learning in science and in accordance with responsible and ethical practice

GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO4

Critically evaluate and synthesise information relating to student learning, using formative and summative assessment data, taking into consideration contemporary theories of curriculum and pedagogy to make judgments about the use of appropriate teaching, learning and assessment strategies. Implement, analyse, evaluate and adapt a range of curricula and learning activities in response to the needs of students

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO5

Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills in order to research, analyse, develop, implement, evaluate and communicate responses to a range of problems affecting student learning and to the development of inclusive and supportive learning environments

GLO5: Problem solving

ULO6

Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, and initiative in researching practice and in deepening professional skills and knowledge of contemporary science educational issues

GLO6: Self-management

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 - Resource development 2000 word
or equivalent
40% Week 5
Assessment 2 - Curriculum development 3000 word
or equivalent
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 ESS767
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.

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