TEACHING PRIMARY SCIENCE
EDU2TPS
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, students will develop competence and skills to teach science in Australian primary schools. We will explore science, with a particular focus on the concepts within physical, biological, earth and space, and chemical sciences. Students will explore best-practice pedagogies for teaching and learning in science and investigate the curriculum resources available. We will also examine science inquiry skills, safety, science as a human endeavour and contemporary issues that intersect with science education and are suitable for classroom exploration. ICT skills associated with accessing, processing and communicating in a blended learning environment are embedded within the course and utilised in activities and assessment tasks.
School: School of Education
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Prem Kurup
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Teaching Primary Science Constructively | Prescribed | Skamp, K. (Ed.). (2015), | Melbourne: Cengage |
| Readings | Learning and Teaching Primary Science | Recommended | Fitzgerald, A. (Ed.). (2013) | Cambridge University Press |
| Readings | Working Scientifically: Implementing and Assessing Open Investigation Work in Science | Recommended | Hackling, M. (2005) | DET, WA |
| Readings | Educating for Sustainability | Recommended | Nolet. V. (2016) | Routledge |
| Readings | Education for sustainability in the primary curriculum: A guide for teachers. | Recommended | Littledyke, M., Taylor, N., & Eames, C. (2009) | Palgrave Macmillan |
| Readings | http://primaryconnections.org.au/about/ | Recommended | Text version (2008) | Australian Academy of Science |
| Readings | Current Sample Science Program | Recommended | www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/samples/Pages/default.aspx | www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/science/samples/Pages/default.aspx |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate an ability to find and incorporate appropriate curriculum knowledge associated with teaching science in schools through effective planning for teaching including the ability to access relevant science curriculum documents and apply them in planning for learning, and to select appropriate resources.
- Activities:
- Lectures, workshops, online learning tasks
02. Design and construct science learning environments that are meaningful, engaging and safe for learners, and meet their learning needs.
- Activities:
- Lectures, workshops, online learning tasks
03. Develop science-specific assessment tasks of teaching and learning for a variety of diagnostic, formative and summative purposes
- Activities:
- Lectures, workshops, online learning tasks
04. Critically reflect on science learning in order to improve professional knowledge and professional skills for responsible futures.
- Activities:
- Lectures, workshops, online learning tasks
05. Access relevant science curriculum documents and apply them in planning for interdisciplinary learning.
- Activities:
- Lectures, workshops, online learning tasks
Bendigo, 2018, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Peter Cox
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report on Primary classroom based on inquiry based investigation framework (1200 words) | 30 | 01, 04, 05 | |
| Portfolio (2000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Science Quiz (800 word equivalent) | 20 | 01, 04 |
Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Prem Kurup
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report on Primary classroom based on inquiry based investigation framework (1200 words) | 30 | 01, 04, 05 | |
| Portfolio (2000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Science Quiz (800 word equivalent) | 20 | 01, 04 |
Mildura, 2018, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Kymberley Barbary
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report on Primary classroom based on inquiry based investigation framework (1200 words) | 30 | 01, 04, 05 | |
| Portfolio (2000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Science Quiz (800 word equivalent) | 20 | 01, 04 |