6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Prerequisites
Successful completion of at least 24 credit points of education units.
Co-requisites
Prohibitions
EDF2004
Synopsis
This unit examines a range of curriculum theories and uses this knowledge as a framework for exploring the work that teachers do to develop responsive curriculum and innovative practice. Through an examination of a range of innovative practices that engage diverse student populations, the unit explores the ways in which teachers in schools transform centralised curriculum documents and bring curriculum 'to life'. In association with this exploration, students investigate a range of issues that include maximising learner motivation in schools, engagement through curriculum development and innovative practice, developing community-based curriculas and practices, and teachers seeing themselves as 'curriculum workers' and the implication of this for their professional identity. Students draw on their emerging understandings of curriculum policies, issues and innovation to develop practices that are inclusive, exciting and educational.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
- describe, evaluate and compare different theoretical and practical approaches to developing curriculum, including both traditional and innovative practices
- examine contemporary curriculum issues and explore exemplars of innovative practice by teachers in response to these issues
- articulate the connections between robust curriculum development and innovative practice
- analyse key policies and documents relating to curriculum, including those associated with the Australian CurriculumAustralian Curriculum (http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/), and show how they promote or constrain innovative practice
- appreciate the importance of teachers as curriculum workers and explain how this is related to their professional identity
- develop curricula and practices that are educational, innovative, inclusive of difference and aligned with national and state curriculum policies and frameworks.
Assessment
Research essay (2000 words, 50%)
Curriculum construction task (2000 words equivalent per student, 50%)
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload is 144 hours per semester comprising:
- Contact hours for on-campus students:
- 2 hours per week (in non-placement weeks) of lectures/tutorials/workshops
- Additional requirements (all students):
- independent study to make up the required minimum hours during the semester
See also Unit timetable information