EDF5183 - Teaching specialism in secondary education A - 2019

This unit enables students to develop the required knowledge, skills and capacities to teach their specialism (method) in secondary schools. It develops students' understanding of a range of curricula and pedagogical practices in the teaching and learning of their specialist field. It encourages students to explore relevant research literature, engage with traditional and contemporary ideas, and focus on the specific challenges, complexities, debates and ideas associated with teaching and student learning in their specialism. Through this unit, students develop skills in a number of areas including lesson and unit planning, developing learning outcomes for students, differentiating the curriculum and individual planning for diverse learner needs, selection and preparation of appropriate teaching resources and assessment strategies and selection of appropriate content and teaching procedures for their specialist field. This unit models working in collaborative teams, exploring different perspectives, engaging with research literature and critical reflection on practice as essential parts of professional learning and as integral to the professional work of a teacher. Students engage in constructive conversations with other students in this unit to explore a range of perspectives and compare the complexities of teaching and learning in their specialism with other specialisms.

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

1. demonstrate and apply their understanding of a range of teaching and learning approaches and practices in their specialist field, with an emphasis on the secondary school
2. develop and share exemplars of lessons and units encompassing differentiated curriculum and inclusive planning to meet diverse learner needs and curriculum expectations in secondary schools
3. select and use appropriate resources and strategies for teaching within specialist areas in secondary schools in varied settings
4. critically engage with policy and curriculum from Australia and overseas to inform teaching and learning in the secondary years
5. understand how to generate and implement assessment strategies which can inform pedagogy
6. demonstrate an awareness of the ways in which research in their specialism informs teaching practice to enhance student learning
7. actively participate in professional learning teams and learning conversations around teaching in their specialism and comparing the complexities, debates, ideas and challenges with other emerging specialist teachers.

Annotated lesson plans for specialist curriculum (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)

Unit of work for Australian secondary curriculum (can include individual and/or group work) (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2 contact hours per week
2. Additional requirements:
   • 10 hours of independent study per week

See also Unit timetable information

Primary and secondary education

Secondary education