Course Outline
EDU353 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1
Course Coordinator:Erin Siostrom (esiostrom@usc.edu.au) School:School of Education and Tertiary Access
2024Semester 2
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
This course explores curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting for Queensland Senior Secondary Science Syllabi, Years 11 and 12. You will learn about current trends and best practice in science education. You will apply your knowledge of your science discipline and pedagogical strategy to design and evaluate quality learning and assessment activities for Queensland senior science.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with asynchronous materials and activities accessed through Canvas modules, course readings and required texts. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 9 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – You are required to attend weekly tutorial/workshop activities on campus. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 10 times |
Course Topics
- Queensland Senior Science Curricula Curriculum planning and alignment of content, pedagogy and assessment for senior science
- Teaching and learning strategies for engagement of diverse learners in science
- Assessment and reporting practices in senior science
- Designing science investigations
- Classroom safety and risk assessment
- Integrating resources including information and communication technologies (ICT) into science curriculum
- Literacy and numeracy in senior science
- Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, culture and knowledge in senior science curriculum
What level is this course?
300 Level (Graduate)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership | |
| 1 | Demonstrate your application of science content knowledge and Senior Science curriculum knowledge in developing science inquiry sequences, teaching and learning activities, and assessment. |
Creative and critical thinker Engaged |
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 |
| 2 | Apply knowledge of teaching and learning strategies that support the diversity of learners in senior science. |
Creative and critical thinker Engaged |
2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 |
| 3 | Develop and apply understandings of principles of assessment and reporting that monitor senior students' levels of achievement and progress in senior Science. |
Creative and critical thinker Engaged |
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 |
| 4 | Apply knowledge of planning, resourcing, teaching and managing to create learning experiences for students of Senior Secondary Science |
Creative and critical thinker Engaged |
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1 |
| 5 | Employ effective language, structure and text to communicate curriculum strategies and ideas. | Knowledgeable |
3.5
|
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership | |
| 2.1 | Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area |
| 2.2 | Content selection and organisation: Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence. |
| 2.3 | Curriculum, assessment and reporting: Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans. |
| 2.4 | Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages. |
| 2.5 | Literacy and numeracy strategies: Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas. |
| 2.6 | Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students. |
| 3.1 | Establish challenging learning goals: Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics. |
| 3.2 | Plan, structure and sequence learning programs: Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies. |
| 3.3 | Use teaching strategies: Include a range of teaching strategies. |
| 3.4 | Select and use resources: Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning. |
| 3.5 | Use effective classroom communication: Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement |
| 4.1 | Support student participation: Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities. |
| 4.2 | Manage classroom activities: Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions |
| 4.3 | Manage challenging behaviour: Demonstrate knowledge of practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour. |
| 4.4 | Maintain student safety: Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements. |
| 4.5 | Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically: Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching. |
| 5.1 | Assess student learning: Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning. |
| 5.2 | Provide feedback to students on their learning: Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning |
| 5.3 | Make consistent and comparable judgements: Demonstrate understanding of assessment moderation and its application to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning. |
| 5.4 | Interpret student data: Demonstrate the capacity to interpret student assessment data to evaluate student learning and modify teaching practice. |
| 5.5 | Report on student achievement: Demonstrate understanding of a range of strategies for reporting to students and parents/ carers and the purpose of keeping accurate and reliable records of student achievement |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
Enrolled in Program (AE304 and a Biological Sciences or a Chemical Sciences Extended Minor) or (SE303 and a Biological or a Chemical Sciences Major or Extended Minor) or (ED315 and a Marine Science Minor)
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
Not applicable
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
It is expected that students engaging in this course have undertaken tertiary science content courses that will be drawn upon to complete this course.
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
Assessor feedback around Task 1 Part 1 (Week 3) will assist you with subsequent assessment tasks. Task 1 Part 2 (Weeks 4-6), gives you the opportunity to contribute and share ideas and outcomes with your peers via tutorial presentations.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Oral and Written Piece | Individual | 25% | Part 1: 600 words Part 2: <5 minutes |
Refer to Format | In Class |
| All | 2 | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 30% | 60 minutes |
Week 9 | In Class |
| All | 3 | Portfolio | Individual | 45% | 1800 words |
Week 10 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Evaluating Context-based Science | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to evaluate the contribution of context and inquiry to science education and to demonstrate your ability to apply indigenous Australian science context for teaching and learning senior science. For students who do two science teaching areas this task is for Teaching Area 1. For example if you do a Biological Science major and a Chemical Science minor then this will be a Biology task. |
| Product: | Oral and Written Piece |
| Format: | Part 1 Written Piece due in Week 3: You will summarise and reflect on the findings of a provided article on secondary school science curricula. Part 2 Presentation in tutorial Week 4, 5 or 6: you will deliver a multimodal presentation of an example of Australian Indigenous History/Culture related to your Teaching Area, identify how it can link with QCAA senior syllabus Unit Objectives and Subject Matter and elaborate how it could influence your classroom curriculum. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 2:Senior subject Quiz | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to demonstrate your subject-specific curriculum and pedagogical content knowledge and skills. |
| Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
| Format: | You will complete an in-class quiz in Week 9 consisting of multiple-choice and short-response items to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of topics from your tutorials including: • Curriculum, planning and teaching strategies that engage senior students, and their application in your subject • Content knowledge for teaching your subject • Formative and Summative Assessment in your subject • Safety and Management of student activities in your subject • Teaching strategies involving ICT, literacy, and numeracy in your subject • Integration of 21st century skills in your subject • Personal reflection on practice This task may include a laboratory skills assessment |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3:Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment Portfolio | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to demonstrate your understanding and applications of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in your Senior Secondary Teaching Area. |
| Product: | Portfolio |
| Format: | For students who have two science teaching areas this is for teaching area 1. For example, if you do a Biological Science major and a Chemical Science minor then this will be a Biology task. Select one internal assessment (IA) sample task from QCAA; either a Student Experiment (SE) or Research Investigation (RI). • Identify how the selected internal assessment task directly or indirectly connects to the final level of achievement awarded for this subject. • Provide the ISMG you will use to assess the task. • Critically analyse the sample task, identifying the intent, strengths and weaknesses of the task based on the syllabus and contemporary literature. • Discuss the suitability of the sample task to the corresponding QCAA unit, and how this would influence your pedagogical approach. • Describe and justify one modification you could make to the task to improve student engagement, learning and/or level of achievement without compromising assessment integrity. • Describe and justify a sequence of three lessons that relate to the module/unit of study and illustrate your knowledge of: a. syllabus content knowledge b. discipline-specific pedagogy c. learning goals that create achievable challenges d. range of teaching strategies e. management and resources f. responsive formative assessment design |
| Criteria: |
|
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | Vaille Dawson,Grady Venville,Jennifer Donovan | 2019 | The Art of Teaching Science | 3 | Routledge |
Specific requirements
You will need a lab coat for tutorials. You will need to successfully complete required laboratory induction quiz materials prior to week 2 tutorials.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Assessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
SafeUniSC
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
Study help
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
AccessAbility Services
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
-
In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au