Leader: Dr L Tudball (Clayton), Dr A Ryan (Gippsland)

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit builds on students' learning in EDF2004 Issues in Classroom Environments. Students will develop and practice their knowledge and skills in building positive and productive classroom environments. The focus will be on the development of teaching skills in both on-campus settings and during the professional placement. Unit learning and assessment tasks will require students to make decisions about contemporary issues in classrooms and how to put these ideas into practice. This unit will incorporate a 5 day professional placement in a secondary school setting where students will usually work in 'buddy' pairs with another student.

Objectives

In the process of studying this unit students are expected to:

1. develop a repertoire of teaching skills and strategies that promote purposeful, meaningful, engaging, innovative, creative, intellectually challenging, and authentic learning;
2. learn how to create positive and productive classroom environments which respond to individual needs, issues and dynamics within the classroom;
3. develop effective teaching skills such as planning and organisation; monitoring and assessing learning; meeting diverse student learning needs; effective classroom management; and developing collaborative, integrated and negotiated curriculum;
4. develop a range of specific teaching and learning skills such as reflection, problem solving, negotiation, risk-taking, innovation, and creativity;
5. learn how to work effectively with peers, students, parents, school authorities and with other educational professionals;
6. explore some of the broader roles of teachers in the life of a school such as meetings, professional development, policy formulation, parent-teacher meetings, extra-curricula activities and community-based activities; and
7. develop an awareness of teachers' professional responsibilities, ethics and relationships and the changing nature of the role of teachers and schooling.

Assessment

One 2,000 words or equivalent individual assignment (worth 60%) and one 2,000 words group presentation (worth 40%)

Contact hours

2 hours contact per week

Prerequisites

Usually EDF1303, EDF1304 and EDF2004

Prohibitions

EDF2002 The Teachers World