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Unit of study_

EDMT5608: Geography Curriculum 1

Semester 1b, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to make students confident, enthusiastic and competent teachers of Geography. This unit will develop competencies and skills in lesson planning, programming and pedagogy in teaching Geography in Stage 4. An understanding of the Geography K-10 Syllabus (Australian Curriculum) 2015 will be emphasised and students will develop lesson plans, programs, teaching resources and a range of Geography teaching materials. There will be an emphasis on ICT, literacy, civics and citizenship education throughout the unit.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT5608
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 Catherine Louise Keeley, catherine.keeley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Catherine Louise Keeley, catherine.keeley@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task group assignment E-learning task
n/a
30% - 1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Research task
n/a
30% Week 14 (STUVAC) 1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Lesson plans
n/a
40% Week 14 (STUVAC) 1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Lesson plans: Develop two sequential lesson plans for a year 7 or 8 (Stage 4) geography class of mixed ability. You will present one of these lesson plans in a seminar at a time to be decided in your first seminar.
  • Resource ATSI: In groups of six you are to find twelve (two per student) resources for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures in teaching years 7-10 geography. You are then to collate these in tabular form indicating where in the Geography K-10 Syllabus 2015 these resources could be used. Finally you are to develop three lesson plans using these resources.
  • E-learning task: In groups of no more than 5 you are to create a ‘virtual’ HSIE staffroom.
  • Research task: In pairs you are to select a paper from the journal ‘Teaching Geography’ that concerns the teaching of geopolitics. Using the paper you have selected you are to present a 1500 word analysis of what the paper says in regard to teaching geopolitics in high school curriculums. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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 01 Overview of teaching the Geography K-10 syllabus 2015 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Overview of teaching the Geography K-10 syllabus 2015 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 1. Cross curriculum priorities; 2. General capabilities; 3. Other learning across the curriculum areas Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
1. Cross curriculum priorities; 2. General capabilities; 3. Other learning across the curriculum areas Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Civics and citizenship Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Civics and citizenship Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Literacy and geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Literacy and geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Global issues in teaching stage 4/5 geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Global issues in teaching stage 4/5 geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 06 Classroom management 1- theories and the practical realities Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Classroom management 1- theories and the practical realities Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 07 ICT and geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
ICT and geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Teaching and incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and perspectives into teaching stage 4/5 geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Teaching and incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and perspectives into teaching stage 4/5 geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Classroom management 2 - the practical realities Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Classroom management 2 - the practical realities Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4

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

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 a detailed understanding of the 'Geography K-10 Syllabus (Australian Curriculum) 2015' content and requirements, emphasising stage 4 geography
  • LO2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways students in stages 4 and 5 geography learn, including effective communication practices and pedagogies appropriate to support such learning
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of effective classroom management strategies across a range of student abilities and learning styles including reflection on theory and practice
  • LO4. demonstrate an ongoing commitment to life long learning as a teacher of the 'Geography K-10 Syllabus (Australian Curriculum) 2015', underpinned by collegiality and including professional association membership.

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

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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