ESS767 - Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
Unit details
Year: | 2024 unit information |
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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 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 |
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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 |
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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
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