ECE380 - Inquiry Into Science Curriculum
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online) Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: George Aranda Trimester 3: Coral Campbell |
| Cohort rule: | Students must be enrolled in course E330, E333 or E334 |
| Prerequisite: | Students enrolled in course E330 and E333 must have completed unit ECE220 Students enrolled in course E334 must have completed units ECE220 and ECE352 From Trimester 3, 2022: Students enrolled in course E330 must have completed unit ECE220 Students enrolled in course E333 and E334 must have completed units ECE212, ECE220 and ECP228 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 2-hour seminar and 1 x 1-hour online workshop per non-placement teaching weeks (approx. 6-9 weeks), 1 x conference per trimester |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 1-hour online workshop per non-placement teaching week (approx. 6-9 weeks) and 2 x 1-hour online class per trimester, 1 x conference per trimester |
| In-person attendance requirements: | The unit also includes a Professional Experience placement (15-days) |
Note:*Community Based Delivery (CBD) refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute | |
Content
Students will deeply explore the relationship between curriculum, policy and professional teacher standards in early childhood and primary school contexts. An inquiry will be undertaken as part of this unit into science curriculum and teaching pedagogies to develop a sequence of lesson plans that can be delivered in a kindergarten or primary school classroom.
In their exploration of the science curriculum, students will examine the historical, political and regulatory influences on science content and teaching approaches. Their inquiry will focus on aspects of teaching science understanding and science inquiry skills, with deep consideration of teaching strategies that will support learners from kindergarten to grade 6, and how the use of resources impacts teaching methods.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Critique and evaluate the connections and disconnections between a systematic body of resources (curriculum, learning frameworks, policy, regulations, teacher standards) | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Critique and evaluate the implications a systematic body of resources (curriculum, learning frameworks, policy, regulations, teacher standards) has upon the assessment, planning and teaching of science in early childhood and school contexts | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Understand key science ideas and apply knowledge through the design of teaching approaches that support children in developing their science understandings | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO4 | Design, implement and evaluate an inquiry into science curriculum within an early childhood or primary school context | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO5 | Using technologies to find, use and disseminate information, requiring self-directed learning and provide specialist advice within broad parameters. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Persuasive presentation using ppt | 1000 words or equivalent | 25% | Information not available |
| Assessment 2 - Inquiry plan | 1000 words | 25% | Information not available |
| Assessment 3 -Inquiry Report | 2000 words | 50% | Information not available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirement
| Brief summary of hurdle requirement | Rationale | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
| 15-days of professional experience placement in an early childhood or primary school classroom. | Successful completion of practical teaching experience is a requirement of the Victorian Institute of Teaching and ACECQA. ECE380 has a professional experience component of 15 days embedded and as such, the academic tasks and practical teaching knowledge and competencies must be successfully completed in order to pass this unit. If students do not pass either the practicum or assessment parts of this unit, the entire unit, including placement will need to be repeated. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management GLO7: Teamwork |
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: ECE380
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Essential Learning Resource
Campbell, C., Jobling, W., & Howitt, C (2018) Eds. Science in Early Childhood 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press.
Unit Fee Information
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