Unit rationale, description and aim
The Australian Curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework require teachers to have clear, scientific knowledge, understandings and skills support children in making informed decisions about local, national and global issues.
In this unit, pre-service teachers will experience and create designs for learning that promote children’s continued experiences of and engagement with scientific knowledges, concepts, applications, and skills of inquiry and investigation.
There will be an emphasis on exploring and developing effective, ethical, and culturally appropriate pedagogical practices addressing early years and science curricula. Incorporated are contemporary understandings of how children learn (including planning and assessment) in a range of early years and primary educational contexts. Pre-service teachers will develop and promote rich, inclusive, interconnected understandings about the world around them associated with scientific endeavour and sustainable living.
The aim of this unit is to develop pre-service teachers’ strong understanding and knowledge of Science, and the interconnected ideas of sustainability, and environmental diversity
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Use research, current education policies, relevant...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply aspects of the nature of Western and Indigen...
Learning Outcome 02
Analyse and apply a range of learning and teaching...
Learning Outcome 03
Design and reflect on appropriate assessment strat...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Theories and approaches to teaching Science through emergent and integrated curriculums including: scientific inquiry, problem solving, play-based learning and ethics of care
- Science education in the Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Curriculum (and/or other state-based curricula as relevant); including Science understanding, Science as human endeavour and Science inquiry skills
- Education for sustainability in early learning; integrating science, sustainability and the environment across learning outcomes from the Early Years Learning Framework and cross-curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum
- Western and Indigenous perspectives of, and ways of knowing in, science, with special attention to sustainability and the environment
- Key Science and inquiry understandings developed by children in early childhood and primary settings
- Science; investigating the nature, development, and application of Science in the biological, chemical, physical and earth and space sciences
- Science in Society; examining the ethical use of Science and implications for the wellbeing of individuals, societies and the environment
- Creativity in Science; exploring the links between Science and creativity, especially with other areas of the curriculum (e.g., The Arts)
- Key Science resources and materials; including safe and responsible use of physical and ICT resources and materials
- Knowledge of learning and development in Science for setting learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics
- Pedagogy for the effective and inclusive teaching and assessment of Science to children in early childhood and primary settings
- Constructing learning sequences appropriate for primary school settings related to the development of age appropriate knowledge and understanding, and including appropriate pedagogical and assessment practices
- Contemporary approaches to assessment and reporting; working with appropriate data and evidence of learning in Science for diagnostic, formative and summative purposes.
- The contribution of science knowledge and practice in broader society, examining its ethical implications for the common good, society and the environment
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks and their weightings allow pre-service teachers to progressively demonstrate the course learning outcomes by demonstrating academic and professional standards through achievement against the unit learning outcomes. The Curriculum Studies units in this course focus on developing understanding of and skills in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment for a selected discipline with reference to the Early Years Learning Framework and the primary learning areas of the Australian Curriculum. Emphasis is given to demonstrating professional knowledge of the content and how to teach it (APST 2), and professional practice in planning and implementing learning (APST 3) and assessing learning (APST 5), with consideration to the wellbeing of individuals, societies and the environment, and the critical role that Science plays in these areas. In this unit the assessment focuses on applying pedagogical content knowledge and ethical considerations to inquiry-based learning in Science for learners from birth to 12 years. The two assessment tasks are sequenced to allow feedback and progressive development in demonstrating pedagogical practice in: knowledge and skills for identifying and analysing science-based teaching and learning activities exploring a range of pedagogical approaches appropriate to the curriculum area, including an ethics of care approach (Task 1); and applying knowledge and skills to develop a learning sequence for teaching and assessing a selected Science topic to young children (Task 2); applying knowledge of the Science learning area to develop skills in making, moderating and justifying judgements of learner performance to reflect on assessment of and for learning.
A range of assessment procedures are used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes and professional standards and criteria consistent with University assessment requirements. (http://www.acu.edu.au/policy/student_policies/assessment_policy_and_assessment_procedures).
Minimum Achievement Standards
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for pre-service teachers to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. In order to pass this unit, pre-service teachers are required to complete and submit all assessment tasks. Assessment in this unit includes a Critical Task: Task 2 Inquiry Learning Sequence. This task is core to the demonstration of a number of Australian Professional Teacher Standards. Pre-service teachers must demonstrate mastery of every summative standard listed in the learning outcomes and attain a score of at least 50% in Task 2 and a pass overall.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 Multimedia Folio of Science Te...
Assessment Task 1
Multimedia Folio of Science Teaching Approaches
Develop an evidence-based folio of at least four teaching and learning activities that cover a range of approaches to science (i.e., inquiry, problem solving, play-based learning, Indigenous science, and ethics of care) and demonstrates the importance of science education for the wellbeing of individuals, society and the environment, for early years (B-5) learners.
50%
Assessment Task 2: Inquiry Learning Sequence Cr...
Assessment Task 2: Inquiry Learning Sequence
Critical Task
Develop an integrated, inquiry teaching and learning sequence for a designated curriculum level and focus, that incorporates links to sustainability science and a rich assessment task suitable for a project-based learning.
- Use a justified approach to support children’s learning and engagement in Science and selected cross-curriculum priorities and/or elements of early years curriculum where relevant (e.g., Being, Belonging, and Becoming: EYLF).
Design an assessment guide of and for learning, and strategies for judgement-making (e.g., rubric/criteria for summative assessment) and moderation.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
In line with social constructivist principles, this unit is premised on the belief that teaching and learning activities should build on prior knowledge, connect with the learner’s needs and interests, be inclusive and sensitive to a range of cultural perspectives, and encourage active participation. The lecture and supporting materials for this unit will cover key concepts across the four science disciplinary areas (Biological sciences, Earth and space sciences, Physical sciences and Chemical sciences) in order to support the development of appropriate science pedagogical content knowledge and inquiry skills . Tutorials will be active, collaborative and experiential, with a focus on the application of science understandings and inquiry skills that are aligned to relevant curriculum frameworks and paradigms. Through active participation in lectures and tutorials, pre-service teachers will develop a deep understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry along with the ability to use a range of scientific inquiry methods including questioning, planning and conducting experiments and investigations, collecting and analysing data, evaluating results and drawing ethical and critical, evidence-based conclusions. First-hand experience with an inquiry-based approach to science teaching and learning will ensure that pre-service teachers are able to develop their own knowledge and skills as well as transfer these effectively to early childhood and primary classroom contexts.
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support learning including but not limited to reading, reflection, discussion, webinars, podcasts and video.
Technology Enhanced Learning
The unit will include a Learning Management System (LMS) site with resources and online links, announcements, and a discussion board to promote connection between on campus content and educational experiences. The LMS site may include:
- Online review exercises.
- Discussion board to exchange ideas and refine learning.
- Video illustrations of teaching practice and focused readings addressing a wide spectrum of teaching contexts, practices and competencies;
- Weekly face-to-face lectures and / or online lectures (synchronous and asynchronous)
- Hands-on tutorials and discussions that promote peer learning;
- Self-directed reading and research
- Collaborative learning opportunities.
Face-to-face/Online Learning support
Students enrolled in both face to face and online learning modes are required to regularly log into the Learning Management System site to access recorded lectures and important announcements, to communicate with other students and lecturers, and to submit assessments and access feedback and grades. Students who are enrolled in either face to face or online learning will have equal access to support from the lecturer in charge and tutors.
Additional equipment requirements for online learning:
- Reliable broadband access is recommended.
- Headset with microphone to listen to podcasts, view videos and interact in synchronous classes.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:
ACECQA Curriculum Specifications
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following specific knowledge:
Representative texts and references
Required Documents:
Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. (2020). Australian Curriculum: Science https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/science/
Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. (2020). Implementation of the Foundation – Year 10 Australian curriculum. https://www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/foundation-year-10
NOTE: This Reference has links to the implementation of the Australian Curriculum (including Science) for all Australian States and Territories.
New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2017). Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus. science-and-technology-k-6-syllabus-2017.pdf
Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2009). Being, belonging and becoming: Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. ACT: Commonwealth of Australia.
Recommended References
Allen, M. (2019). Misconceptions in primary science (3rd ed.). Open University Press.
Bhathal, R., & Bhathal, J. (2018). Australian backyard astronomy (2nd ed.). National Library of Australia.
Cahir, F., Clark, I., & Clarke, P. (2018). Aboriginal biocultural knowledge in south-eastern Australia: Perspectives of early colonists. CSIRO Publishing.
Campbell, C., Jobling, W., & Howitt, C. (Ed.). (2021). Science in early childhood (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Dawson, V., & Venville, G. (2021). The art of teaching primary school science (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Fleer, M. (2015). Science for children. Cambridge University Press.
Krajcik, J., & Czerniak, C. (2018). Teaching science in elementary and middle school: A project-based approach (5th ed.). Routledge.
Loxley, P., Dawes, L., Nicholls, L., & Dore, B. (2017). Teaching primary science (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Moeed, A., & Rofe, C. (2019). Learning through school science investigation in an Indigenous school: Research into practice. Springer Singapore.
Nogrady, B. (Ed.). (2019). The best Australian science writing 2019. New South Publishing.
Pascoe, B. (2018). Dark emu: Aboriginal Australia and the birth of agriculture. Magabala Books.
Saxena, A. (2019). Ethics in science: Pedagogic issues and concerns. Springer Singapore.
Skamp, K., & Preston, C. (Eds.). (2021). Teaching primary science constructively (7th ed.). Cengage Learning Australia.