EDF4242

Science education ( 6 points, SCA Band 0, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader:

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: One or two personal study contracts. Topics include (1) a comparative study of state science curricula in Australia (2) a review of research in a topic professional knowledge; (3) a study of a topic in the history of science; (4) a classroom research project in science education; (5) a report on the way Internet resources may be used to support the requirements of the science curriculum; (6) a discussion of an important issues in science education in terms of the most up-to-date perspective(s) available.

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, students should have developed research skills which may be applied in the classroom and which should result in improved teaching and learning in science education; investigated, summarised and reported the relevance of research findings (from a specific field of investigation) to increase their knowledge and understanding in an area of science education; gained familiarity with recent curriculum developments in science education; demonstrated a well-developed awareness of the value of the history of science to inform and aid the teaching of science; gained a critical awareness from theory and research based knowledge of how to aid pupils' thought processes, language, and conceptual development appropriate to natural phenomena; formed a critical appreciation for the extent of resources available and means of aiding concept and knowledge building which go well beyond stereotypical science text sources for teaching science; increased professional skills in the writing of reports on matters concerning science education.

Assessment: One or two reports (as contracted) with the assessment percentage for each report allocated in accordance with the proportion of the workload contracted

Prerequisites: DipT or GradDipEd (with science method) or BTeach

Prohibitions: GEC4460