Outline

Overview

Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) is a vital Key Learning Area in the primary curriculum. The knowledge and understandings, skills and strategies, values and attitudes inherent in HSIE K-6 provide opportunities for young children to learn about themselves, their community, their nation and the world. Recent curriculum changes to HSIE K-6 are addressed in this unit of study where our focus will be on the newly developed NESA syllabuses for history K-6 and geography K-6. Drawing on current cognitive and sociocultural research, you will examine the implications of disciplinary approaches to teaching and learning and explore and develop a range of effective curriculum resources for teaching history and geography in the primary classroom.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	4
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Catherine Smyth, catherine.smyth@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Catherine Smyth, catherine.smyth@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Curating a Scoop.it site for primary history Individual assessment task- please see Canvas for detailed instructions	50%	STUVAC Due date: 30 May 2022 at 23:00 Closing date: 11 Jun 2022	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Planning a geographical inquiry and excursion for primary students Please see Canvas for detailed instructions and rubric	50%	Week 09 Due date: 27 Apr 2022 at 23:00 Closing date: 26 May 2022	1500 words per person approx.
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Criterion based assessment is used in all the M Teach units of study. Each assessment task is graded according to criteria provided. In order to satisfy requirements for each task, students must meet set criteria as specfied in the assessment task description provided on Canvas. There is no automatic resubmission if criteria are not met.

Final grades for units are either SR (Satisfied Requirements) or FR (Failed Requirements)

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction and overview	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Overview and organisation of EDMT5534.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	How people learn	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Learning starts with ideas.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	The permeable classroom- learning in the 'real world'	Online class (1 hr)
Week 03	No face to face class. NSW DEC Excursion Policy small group collaborative activity (details on Canvas)	Independent study (1 hr)
Week 04	Geography K-6: Disciplinary ways of knowing the world	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Geographical knowledge and understanding: Big ideas in the NESA Geography K-6 syllabus	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Geographical inquiry - The 5Es and other pedagogical strategies and processes	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Designing a geographical inquiry for primary students- asking better questions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Geographical skills and tools	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Fieldwork activity: collecting, recording and using geographical data	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	History K-6: An introduction to the nature and discipline of history and historical inquiry in a primary context	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Improving professional practice: sharing and peer feedback on Task 1 geographical inquiry [be prepared to share draft of group work]	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Planning and Assessment in History K-6	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Designing powerful learning experiences in history: using primary sources	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the history syllabus	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Hands-on library workshop	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Historical literacy	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Analysing and giving feedback on student work samples	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Using drama rich pedagogies to teach history [Participatory workshop with Emerita Professor Robyn Ewing]	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Primary history: Perspectives and practices from the classroom [Presentation by teachers and students from St.James. Yamba]	Presentation (1 hr)
Week 13	Resource sharing and reflection followed by celebratory end of semester lunch	Presentation (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 4 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 80-100 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please refer to Canvas modules for weekly readings and resources.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways students learn
LO2. demonstrate knowledge of HSIE K-6 content and how to teach that content to your students
LO3. plan for effective teaching and learning in HSIE K-6
LO4. create and maintain a safe and challenging learning environment
LO5. demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies to assess student learning in HSIE K-6
LO6. improve professional knowledge and practice
LO7. actively engage with members of profession and the wider community.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 1.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning. 1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching. 1.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. 1.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities. 1.6.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area. 2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence. 2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans. 2.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages. 2.5.1. (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas. 2.6.1. (Graduate) Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics. 3.2.1. (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies. 3.3.1. (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies. 3.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning. 3.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 4.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions. 4.4.1. (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements. 4.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 5.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs. 6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers. 6.3.1. (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 7.1.1. (Graduate) Understand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession. 7.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers according to school stage. 7.4.1. (Graduate) Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.2.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
1.4.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
1.5.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
1.6.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
2.1.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1		(Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1		(Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.4.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
2.5.1		(Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
2.6.1		(Graduate) Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
3.1.1		(Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1		(Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1		(Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
3.7.1		(Graduate) Describe a broad range of strategies for involving parents/carers in the educative process.
4.1.1		(Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
4.2.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
4.5.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.
5.1.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
6.1.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1		(Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
7.2.1		(Graduate) Understand the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers according to school stage.
7.4.1		(Graduate) Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The impact of Covid on teaching and learning in 2021 was significant. Although no major changes have been made to this unit, some aspects were modified in light of student feedback in 2021. This unit of study continues to provide students with practical and theoretical approaches to teaching and learning in HSIE K-6.

Additional information

Please refer to Canvas for up-to-date information regarding all aspects of this unit of study.

Scoop.it

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDMT5534: Human Society and its Environment K-6

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links