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Unit of study_

EDMT5607: English Curriculum 1

Semester 1b, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study is the first in a suite of curriculum methodology units designed to equip you to teach secondary English 7-12. This unit will introduce you to the principles of teaching and learning in subject English and effective pedagogy for successful learning; develop your understanding of the theories underpinning the secondary English syllabus and support documents; and raise your awareness of the debates and issues relevant to teaching secondary English in contemporary educational contexts.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT5607
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jacqueline Manuel, jackie.manuel@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Professional development portfolio
See CANVAS UoS webpage for details
70% STUVAC
Due date: 14 Jun 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 28 Jun 2023
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Independent tasks
See CANVAS UoS webpage for details of this assessment.
30% Week 12
Due date: 19 May 2023 at 17:00

Closing date: 02 Jun 2023
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

  • Independent tasks: Students are required to undertake and complete a series of independent tasks. Each completed task should be collated and submitted as a single assignment.
  • Professional development portfolio: This assignment requires students to engage in continual reading, research and critical reflection. As the unit unfolds, this written (and if appropriate, visual) record will document and express the ways in which your analysis of, and reflection upon, content and anticipated outcomes are shaping your development as a proficient beginning teacher.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

All assigments will be assessed as Pass/Fail according to the stated criteria

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 08 Orientation to UoS; Assessment; CANVAS readings and resources; Exploring assumptions and principles Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 09 NSW 7-10 English Syllabus; Mandatory requirements; Structure; Aim; Rationale; Outcomes; Content; Program Builder Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 10 Models and theories of teaching/learning WRITING - Part 1 Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 11 WRITING - Part II. Practical strategies; In the classroom; Resources Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 12 READING. Theories of reading development; Models of teaching reading; Practical approaches for the classroom Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Teaching Literature; Background to role and significance of Literature in secondary English; mandatory requirements for texts in 7-10; Practical approaches to teaching fiction, poetry, drama, nonfiction, media and multimedia Workshop (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7

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.

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

 

  • Sawyer, W. (Ed.). (2019). Charged with Meaning: Becoming an English Teacher (3rd edn.). Sydney: Phoenix Education.
  • Manuel, J., & Carter, D. (2009 or 2020). The English Teacher’s Handbook, A to Z. Sydney: Phoenix Education.
  • NESA Syllabus and Support Documents for Stage 4-5 English and Stage 6 English. Links provided on Canvas UoS page and also available at https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/

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 of the theory and pedagogy relevant to effective teaching and learning across the language modes of listening, speaking, reading, representing, viewing and writing, and develop a repertoire of literacy strategies to address the needs of diverse students
  • LO2. critique and understand the central tenets of the major theories relevant to language learning as they apply to secondary English teaching, learning, assessment and student achievement
  • LO3. demonstrate familiarity with current issues and developments in the teaching of secondary English, including developments at local, state, national and international levels
  • LO4. provide evidence of wide reading and knowledge of, and critical reflection on a broad range of research and scholarship, along with textual forms, including poetry, drama, fiction non-fiction, media, multi-media, and other types of texts appropriate to the range of abilities at all levels in the secondary school
  • LO5. demonstrate an ability to integrate aims, outcomes, appropriate pedagogical and assessment strategies and resources in lesson planning, based on an understanding of the requirements of the new NSW English K-10 syllabus including the 'Life Skills Syllabus', and other curriculum documents to address the needs and capacities of a diversity of students
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the process for planning and designing units of work based on the requirements of the new NSW English K-10 syllabus and the place of lesson plans within this broader unit and program scheme
  • LO7. demonstrate a thorough understanding of outcomes-based approaches to teaching and learning in secondary English and be able to integrate this understanding in a sequence of lesson plans
  • LO8. demonstrate a thorough understanding of the structure, contents, underpinning theory, mandated texts and indicative hours, the place of ICT, and assessment requirements of the new NSW English K-10 syllabus, and understand external examination/testing requirements for students in English in years 7-10.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.3.1. (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.
1.5.1. (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.
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
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.
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
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.
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.
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
3.6.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
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.
1.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
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.
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.
LO6
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
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.
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.
LO7
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
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.
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.
2.6.1. (Graduate) Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
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.

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

No changes

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

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