FET 5602 Theories for Learning Futures

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

People now expect that their learning will continue well beyond the compulsory sector. Learning futures embraces lifelong and life-wide learning. Traditional boundaries between secondary and post-compulsory education are becoming increasingly blurred, as the nexus of discrete and parallel pathways from school to life require the educator to be cognisant of learning needs and learning preferences/styles of adolescents, early adults and mature-aged learners. There is also the recognition of the cycle of 'dipping back' into the various learning contexts as workplace and career evolutions become a catalyst for investigating new opportunities and qualifications. Facilitators of lifelong learning should have a clear understanding of the characteristics of adult learners and the nature of learning processes utilised by them. Such knowledge underpins an individual's capabilities to respond positively to dynamic learning futures.

SYNOPSIS:

Within a framework of contemporary theories of learning, participants in this course will explore and examine concepts of lifelong, life-wide and connected learning. Underpinning these characteristics and imperatives for learning futures lies a diversity of cultural, social and philosophical experiences and expectations. Students will explore issues of multiliteracies, cultural diversity/cultural convergence, inclusivity and sustainability as well as how these impact in pluralist learning environments. This course facilitates students' understandings of how these theories and issues impact on curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation. NOTES: 1. This course is available through INTERNET (WEB) DELIVERY ONLY. 2. There are NO print materials. 3. For details of the technical requirements and accessing Internet study materials, please consult the following URL: http://www.usqonline.com.au. 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:

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. articulate the interrelationships between lifelong learning, life-wide learning, and learning futures; (Formal Reflection)
2. apply emerging theories of learning and learning facilitation in the design of learning experiences; (Comparing learning theories; Concept Map)
3. investigate the characteristics and diversity of adolescent and adult learners and the nature of learning processes utilised by them; (Comparing learning theories; Concept Map)
4. design learning experiences that consider cultural diversity/convergence, inclusiveness, sustainability in education and development and repertoires of literate practices; (Issues Paper)
5. identify and analyse implications for teaching practices of interactions between learner characteristics, learning processes and learning tasks in pluralist education settings; (Issues Paper)
6. using a collaborative approach within a critical community of learners, successfully examine issues/trends/relationships in depth (Comparing learning theories; Concept Map; Contributions to learning community).

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).

There are no prescribed texts for this course. Students will be expected to access relevant materials from the course site, supplemented by their research requirements.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

All recommended reference materials are referred to in the WEB materials.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility 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:
   In this course, if students are late with the submission of any assessment task, they are required to contact the course examiner, who may, at his/her discretion, grant a further extension. If late submissions are accepted, they will attract a penalty of up to 20% of the total marks available for the assignment.
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 total weighted marks available for the course.
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.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQOnline for this course.
2. 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.
3. Students enrolling in WEB courses MUST have ongoing convenient and reliable access to the Internet in order to access course materials and participate in activities that will affect assessment. The levels of equipment required may change from time to time, with the most recent specification listed at http://www.usq.edu.au/currentstudents/computingstandards/default.htm. You can check whether your computer system meets these requirements from USQAssist (http://usqassist.usq.edu.au/).