SEC 2505 Curriculum Implementation in the Middle Years

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Currently there is a range of responses by educational communities to deal with issues identified for students in the pre-teen and adolescent years. Many of these students feel alienated and have become disengaged from formal education. Often students moving from primary to secondary or secondary to further education have a far from seamless transition. Exploration of curriculum frameworks and the design and delivery of curriculum for the middle years is essential to ensure these students are given opportunities to gain the attributes of lifelong learning.

SYNOPSIS:

This course will explore a range of issues for students in the middle years of schooling. Emerging professionals should have increased awareness of the different responses educational facilities have made to these issues. In particular, this course will focus on the curriculum design and delivery under an outcomes-based education framework and its application to the middle schooling cohort of students. This course aims to give primary and secondary educators increased understanding and confidence to deal with issues for middle schooling, strategies for teaching in this area, a broadened perspective of education and to improve cross-sectoral communication. Emerging professionals will develop and design authentic learning experiences for students in the middle years. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the significance of a syllabus document in terms of the role it plays in the development of school work programs and medium and short term planning
2. analyse curriculum documents
3. develop learning experiences in line with syllabus recommendations
4. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of using a variety of student-centred strategies and plan lessons which incorporate a variety of student-centred strategies
5. demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in middle schooling and the implications for teaching and learning in the middle years of schooling
6. demonstrate an understanding of the role of productive pedagogies
7. demonstrate the attributes of lifelong learning and promote lifelong learning to middle years students
8. demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of correct communication skills including literacy, presentation and accurate referencing protocols.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Students will be required to access relevant QSA syllabus documents and The Productive Pedagogies Manual. Syllabus documents can be downloaded from: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs1to10/index.html or purchased for between $10-$15 form the Queensland Studies Authority. Order forms are available from: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/publications/frms/pubs-order.pdf The Productive Pedagogies Classroom Reflection Manual can be downloaded from: http://education.qld.gov.au/public_media/reports/curriculum-framework/productive-pedagogies/pdfs/prodped.pdf

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment may apply for each week late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for each item.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
2. Students are to use a recognised referencing system as specified by the examiner.
3. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.