GED0519

Methods and practice of teaching history

Mr T Hastings

12 points
* 3 hours per week
* Full-year subject
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: Students must have at least a minor sequence in history or a major sequence in ancient history from a recognised institution. History subjects must have been studied as a history discipline.

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed knowledge and understandings of the nature of history; the development range and abilities of secondary school students in mixed ability classes; the level of their own expertise; appropriate strategies for achieving aims and objectives; the current requirements of VBOS in relation to VCE history. Students should have developed skills which will enable them to frame objectives relating to outcomes for pupils; design a range of teaching strategies using a variety of resources; locate, prepare and use confidently the resources and technical equipment available for history teaching; teach an effective lesson; assess pupils' work, evaluate their own performance and use this information to review their teaching and direct their planning. Students should have listened and responded positively to advice from supervising teachers; observed teachers at work while on teaching rounds; shown initiative in designing lessons to stimulate and maintain student interest and to ensure effective teaching.

Synopsis This subject concerns development of skills for teaching history in secondary schools. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the contribution which the study of history can make to education. Relevant teaching strategies, curriculum and course development issues are explored - especially as these relate to the studies of society and environment in the VBOS Curriculum and Standards Framework series, and VCE history. Weekly two-hour seminars and a complementary series of one-hour lectures.

Assessment A precondition for a pass in this method is a pass in practice teaching and 80% attendance at all timetabled classes. A satisfactory level of achievement is also required for each of the following tasks
* Observation report: 20%
* Work unit and preparation of resources: 40%
* Journal article: 40%
* Attendance at seminars and workshops

Prescribed texts

Victorian Board of Studies Curriculum and standards framework: Studies of society and environment VBOS, 1995
Victorian Board of Studies VCE study design: History VBOS

Recommended texts

Mackinolty J (ed.) Past continuous: Learning through the historical environment History Teachers' Association of Victoria, 1983
Publications of the History Teachers' Association of Victoria