Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate, Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to prepare students to teach Psychology in secondary schools. This will include both Middle School Psychology and VCE Units 1-4. Students will design, implement and evaluate effective curriculum and teaching programs. Various teaching and learning strategies will be modeled and explored throughout the semester and students will be required to complete practical assessment tasks.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. understand the nature and scope of Psychology as it is taught in secondary schools and the diverse range of students who study it;
2. demonstrate skills in teaching various components of both Middle School and VCE Psychology courses (including developing appropriate curriculum units; planning and organising classroom lessons; using a variety of teaching strategies; selecting and utilising appropriate resources; and assessing and reporting student learning);
3. foster an interest in, and positive attitude toward, the understanding of human development and behaviour; and
4. appreciate the importance of ethical issues in teaching and research involving human and animal subjects.

Assessment

This unit is graded Pass Grade Only (PGO); Assessment task 1: A unit of work including lesson plans, lesson observation task, use of learning technologies, classroom activities and assessment items (2,000 words; 50%); Assessment task 2: A compilation of curriculum resources to support one area of a senior Psychology curriculum (such as Unit 1,2, 3 or 4 in VCE Psychology) (2,000 words or equivalent; 50%) Hurdle requirements: The subject requires attendance and participation in class sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops, excursions etc.); and Student participation in the unit is vital and an 80% attendance requirement for on-campus students and 80% on-line participation for off-campus students is required.

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Helen Watt

Contact hours

3 hrs per week

Prerequisites

Minor sequence in psychology or behaviour studies, and EDF4113 General science Education.

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled simultaneously in a professional experience unit(s).