Postgraduate - UnitEDF4121 - Teaching: The power to change

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Education
Offered	Berwick First semester 2015 (Day) Clayton First semester 2015 (Day) Clayton First semester 2015 (Online) Peninsula First semester 2015 (Day) Peninsula First semester 2015 (Online)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Niranjan Casinader (Berwick); Ms Sarah Rutherford (Clayton), Dr Hilary Monk (Clayton, online)

Synopsis

In this unit students investigate and reflect on what it means to be a teacher in different educational contexts. They consider the kinds of 'power' they have as an individual teacher and the teaching profession as a whole to influence young people's learning and development and to help shape a multicultural, democratic and sustainable future world. As part of that investigation students examine, critically analyse and evaluate different theories of teaching, and inquire into the multiple dimensions of teachers' work in diverse settings. In the course of developing an emerging personal and professional standpoint around teaching, students research a number of policy documents (at local, national and global levels) and consider the ways these policies influence teachers' practices and sense of who they are as professionals.

Outcomes

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

examine, critically analyse and evaluate different theories of teaching and teaching practice
investigate the complex, multi-faceted and changing nature of teachers' work
explore and critically reflect on the ever-evolving nature of teachers' professional identity
develop a personal and professional philosophy of teaching
develop critical awareness of the ways policy documents (at local, national and global levels) have an impact on teachers' professional identity and professional practice in diverse educational settings.

Assessment

Case study: critical biography - report of teachers' work in context (1600 words, 40%)
Research essay (one or two theories/theorists) and position statement (philosophy) (2400 words, 60%)

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

equivalent to 24 hours engagement in online, face-to-face or blended platforms

(b.) Contact hours for off-campus students:

equivalent to 24 hours engagement in online or blended platforms

(c.) Additional requirements (all students)

independent study to make up the minimum required hours per semester

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Early years education
Early years and primary education
Primary education
Primary and secondary education
Secondary education