FET5602 Theories for Learning Futures

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

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 various 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. 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 investigate 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 with particular reference to adult, professional and workplace learning contexts.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment items(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are show in parentheses. On 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).

7.

Demonstrate competence in and appropriate use of language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing (Issues Paper)

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

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

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

Whether you are on, or off campus, the USQ Library is an excellent source of information http://www.usq.edu.au/library/. The gateway to education resources is here... http://www.usq.edu.au/library/faculties/education/default.htm

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:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must 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. 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/).

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.