TEA 3201 Partners in Decision Making

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

At this stage of their development, pre-service teachers need to begin familiarising themselves with the various curriculum documents currently in use in Queensland schools. As well they need to know about curriculum models and theories which contribute to the development of long term planning and the integration of content areas. Students need to begin extending their current philosophies of teaching and learning to incorporate advanced teaching and planning skills that focus on the individual needs of students. In achieving this, preservice need to be aware of various educational contexts and they should begin to develop and analyse their own theories regarding curriculum decision making.

SYNOPSIS:

This course will focus on the integration of curriculum decision making and philosophy of curriculum design and how this relates to classroom practice. Through critical reflection on the related theories, models and processes of curriculum, students will begin to develop their own theories that will influence their curriculum development and implementation. Students will examine how advanced teaching and assessment strategies evolving from curriculum decision-making match the various grouping arrangements that can be found in a variety of educational settings. The integration of different `content' areas will be explored and students will be encouraged to critically evaluate the use of topics or themes. Fifteen days practicum in schools provides students opportunities to apply the principles developed in this course and to further develop their skills and understandings of what it is to be a teacher. 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 have acquired knowledge and understanding of, developed the skills of, and developed an awareness of:

1. the philosophies and sources of curriculum
2. the major theories, philosophies and models influence curriculum design and decision making
3. the development and defence of personal theories of curriculum development
4. analysing current curriculum documents in terms of its sources and elements
5. evaluating the considerations in the implementation of curriculum and management plans
6. evaluating personal philosophies of curriculum development and classroom management
7. developing planning instruments at a course level
8. the importance of curriculum development to the classroom teacher
9. the significance of the various influences which impact upon school based curriculum development
10. curriculum decision-making as a result of matching effective planning and teaching to the educational context.

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).

A shrinkwrap package consisting of: Brady, L, 2003, Teacher voices: the school experience, Pearson Education, Frenchs Forest; Brady, L & Kennedy, K, 2003, Curriculum construction, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest & Pirola-Merlo, S, 2003, Relationship management in the primary school classroom: strategies in the legal and social context, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Behaviour management analysis and plan

2.

Curriculum innovation analysis and implementation plan

3.

Students must successfully complete the professional experience component and the academic component to pass this course. A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the professional component. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the professional experience component. The weighting of 1% is used for administrative purposes only and is NOT included in the overall weighting for this course.

4.

The examiner will advise the due dates for all assessment items. Tutorial presentation will be conducted during weeks 8-10.

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. Students must complete 15 days of scheduled professional experience as partial fulfillment of Board of Teacher Registration requirements.
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. To complete the professional experience satisfactorily the student's performance must be deemed successful by the mentor and examiner.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   In order to gain a passing grade in the course, students must submit all items of assessment; complete all professional experience requirements successfully; attain a passing grade or equivalent mark in at least two of the three coursework assessment items; and achieve a minimum of 50% of the total marks available for assessment in the course. Normally, there will be no opportunity for the resubmission of failed or unsatisfactory items of assessment. Students who do not achieve a passing grade in the course, may be eligible for supplementary assessment in the following circumstances: where the professional experience requirements constitute the only assessment item not completed satisfactorily; or where the professional experience requirements were completed satisfactorily, and (i) at least two of the three Pass Rules were satisfied, and (ii) a minimum of 40% of the available marks were attained for the failed 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.