SEC3503 Professional Context Curriculum Project

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
SEC 3503 90700 2, 2009 ONC Professional Context Curriculum Project 1.00 Fraser Coast

Academic group: FOEDU
Academic org: FOE003
Student contribution band: National Priority Teaching
ASCED code: 070105


Contents



STAFFING

Examiner: Petrea Redmond
Moderator: Alison Mander



REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: (SEC2505 and SEC2506) or PRI2211



OTHER REQUISITES

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html.



RATIONALE

Now that beginning educators have been exposed to the essential elements of curriculum and pedagogy, and are familiar with the key concepts pertaining to general curriculum documentation or to their areas of specialization, this course promotes further investigation into the essential knowledges, skills and competencies necessary for effective planning and teaching in a range of educational contexts from a transdisciplinary perspective. An essential component of this course is that it involves service learning project based in an appropriate educational location.




SYNOPSIS

This course builds on elements of curriculum theory and practice gained in previous curriculum and pedagogy courses and professional experiences through an investigation of negotiated context based curriculum issues using a transdisciplinary approach. For example, authentic planning and assessment, literacy across curriculum areas, equity issues, effective resources, ICTs etc. This course promotes opportunities to investigate transdisciplinary links, nurture proactive practices in a supportive environment, and develop confidence and enthusiasm to implement innovative curriculum plans developed in partnership with a mentor in an appropriate professional context. Students will be expected to be in contact with their school or other context each week.




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

1.
demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their specialist teaching areas (All assessment items)
2.
relate in-depth knowledge and understanding to a variety of curriculum related issues such as planning, assessment, resources, inclusivity and technology (All assessment items)
3.
demonstrate a capacity for independent inquiry (All assessment items)
4.
translate this knowledge and understanding into the professional requirements of the service learning environment (All assessment items)
5.
reflect on the experience of the service learning project (project evaluation)
6.
demonstrate competence in and appropriate use of language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing (All assessment items)



TOPICS


Description Weighting (%)
1. Introduction to the service learning project
10.00
2. An in-depth investigation of curriculum-based issues which will include a variety of topics relevant to the beginning teacher's specialist teaching areas, as well as their interests and needs.
50.00
3. Evaluation and reflection of the service learning project
40.00


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).

Each curriculum area requires the purchase of relevant syllabus documents.




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.

Details to be supplied as required by individual curriculum areas and negotiated projects.

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

ACTIVITY HOURS
Directed Study 70.00
Independent Study 70.00



ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date
A1: PROJECT PROPOSAL 10.00 10.00 07 Aug 2009
A2: PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT 10.00 10.00 14 Sep 2009
A3: PROJECT 40.00 40.00 23 Oct 2009
A4: PROJECT EVALUATION 40.00 40.00 02 Nov 2009


IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (in school, online and on campus) 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.
  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 and gain approval for the Project Proposal prior to commencing the project.
  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

1. Students are expected to regularly attend the project educational site.
2. Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 houors of receipt of a request to do so.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to UConnect for this course.
  2. Students are to use APA referencing system
  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.


This version produced 19 Nov 2009.