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Unit of study_

EDMT5608: Teaching Geography 1

Semester 1b, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is the first unit of study in a suite of concurrent Human Society and its Environment curriculum units in Geography. In this unit, students will consider how discipline knowledge is organised, taught, and experienced across the secondary school years. The unit will emphasise the integration of knowledge within and across the discipline and consider the role teachers play in facilitating curriculum pedagogy that consider the subject and connect to students’ lives. This unit will provide students with the practical and theory-informed knowledge required to respond to the needs of diverse learners in Geography.

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 Claire Golledge, claire.golledge@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Hannah McCarthy, hannah.mccarthy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Micro teaching activity
Micro teaching episode delivered in week allocated by your tutor
25% Week 09
Due date: 22 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Critical reflection on micro teaching episode
Individual reflection on micro teaching episode
30% Week 11
Due date: 08 May 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Portfolio of teaching resources
Develop a portfolio of resources with a reflection.
45% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Micro Teaching - In groups develop a 20 minute lesson plan for a foundational geographical concept from the Stage 4 syllabus. You will deliver your lesson during a seminar in weeks 9/10. 
  • Individual reflection on micro teaching: You are to write a critical reflection on your micro-teaching episode, reflecting on the pedagogical choices made in teaching The Stage 4 Geography Syllabus, justifying your choices and critically engaging with how the lesson was enacted. 
  • Critical Evaluation of teaching resources - Select 5 contemporary resources that support teaching and learning in Stage 4 Geography and engage in a critical evaluation of how the resources support a diversity of students to meet the outcomes of the course. You should include a 400 word reflection on the potential impacts of AI in the Geography classroom. 

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 07 An introduction to teaching Geography in Australian Schools Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Introduction to foundation Geographical concepts in the K-10 Syllabus Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Learning Across the Curriculum in Geography - cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities, with focus on ATSI Perspectives Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Learning from Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in Geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Programming for Stage 4 & 5 Geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Programming for Stage 4 & 5 Geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Independent site visit for presentation in week 12 Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Inquiry learning in Geography – opportunities in Syllabus Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Geographic Skills & Fieldwork– Stage 4 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Civics and Citizenship Education in the Geography classroom Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Teaching about Place and Liveability Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Teaching about Water in the World Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Best practice in the Stage 4 Classroom Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Teaching about interconnections Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

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.

More discussion of classroom management scenarios and strategies have been included, to address issues of concern to trainee teachers.

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.