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Unit of study_

EDMT5658: Geography Curriculum 2

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will build on the study of the Geography K-10 Syllabus (Australian Curriculum) 2015 with an emphasis on Stage 5. This unit of study provides opportunities for students to achieve outcomes in understanding the curriculum design of Geography education in Stage 5.The unit enhances designing and delivering a range of teaching strategies, evaluating and developing teaching resources and assessing students' achievement in Geography. A particular focus will be placed on the use of Geography tools and skills in teaching Years 7-10 Geography. Students will also learn to design and implement an excursion for Years 7-10. Further emphasis throughout will be placed on literacy, civics and citizenship education and ICT.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT5658
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
24 credit points including EDMT5608 and EDMT5676
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Claire Golledge, claire.golledge@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Hannah McCarthy, hannah.mccarthy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Program and reflection
Programming for Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities
30% Week 03
Due date: 18 Aug 2023 at 23:59
1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Excursions and Fieldwork planning (Group Task
Designing a fieldwork or excursion activity. Presentations in week 10.
30% Week 09
Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1350 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Assessment in Geography
Create an assessment task and reflection
40% Week 09
Due date: 27 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Program and reflection: Due Week 3. 1350 Words, 30% You will be provided with a nominated excerpt from the Geography Syllabus and asked to program teaching and learning activities with an emphasis on integrating Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities in your selected teaching and learning strategies and resources. You will then complete a reflection explaining your choices.  
  • Excursions and Fieldwork planning (Group Task) - Due week 9, 30%, 1350 words (equivalent).  In groups of 3 you will design either a fieldwork activity or an excursion relevant to Stage 5 Geography. You will submit a proposal for your activity (template provided) as well as a risk assessment. Groups will also prepare a 10 minute presentation to the class presenting your idea (presentations in week 10) 
  • Designing assessment task: Individual task, 40%,1800 words. Due Week12.  This task will emphasise assessment in Geography. You are to design an assessment task for Stage 4/5 Geography which is not an examination. You are to submit an assessment notification for the task you design that meets NESA requirements, and complete a reflection on how the assessment tasks enables a range of learners to meet the learning outcomes of the course (supported by research). 

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 Learning Across the Curriculum in Geography - cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Learning from Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in Geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Assessment for/of learning in Stage 4 & 5 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Formative Assessment & Feedback practices in Geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Planning for differentiated learning & assessment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Summative assessment and reporting & feedback Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 High Leverage Strategies in the classroom Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Preparation for practicum placements and Teaching about Changing Places Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Reflective practice (incl practicum debrief) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Teaching about sustainable biomes Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Planning engaging fieldwork and excursion opportunities in Geography (group showcase) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Teaching about Environmental Change Management Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Contemporary issues in Stage 4/5 Geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Teaching about Human Wellbeing Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 12 Being a Geography teacher – collaboration, professional learning and career trajectory Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Exploring Elective Geography Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Technologies in Geography Select one geospatial technology tool that you could integrate in the Geography classroom. Provide a short review of the tool, a demonstration of what it can do and an example of how you would use it with a Stage 5 class (with links to syllabus content and outcomes). Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2 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 2015' specifically stage 4/5 content and requirements with an emphasis on stage 5
  • LO2. develop knowledge and understanding of the ways students in school learn, including effective communication practices
  • LO3. develop the ability to plan, assess and report for effective learning across a range of abilities and learning styles in the 'Geography K-10 Syllabus 2015' stage 4 and 5
  • LO4. develop an understanding of effective classroom management theory and practice
  • LO5. develop an ongoing commitment to life long learning underpinned by collegial practices and professional 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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2. Professional Knowledge: Standard 2 - Know the content and how to teach it
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1. Professional Knowledge: Standard 1 - Know students and how they learn
3. Professional Practice: Standard 3 - Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
3. Professional Practice: Standard 3 - Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
4. Professional Practice: Standard 4 - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
5. Professional Practice: Standard 5 - Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1. Professional Knowledge: Standard 1 - Know students and how they learn
4. Professional Practice: Standard 4 - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
6. Professional Engagement: Standard 6 - Engage in professional learning
7. Professional Engagement: Standard 7 - Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.3.1 T P A (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 T P A (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 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
2.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
3.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
4.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
5.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
5.2.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.
5.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment moderation and its application to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning.
7.1.1 T P A (Graduate) Understand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.
7.2.1 T P A (Graduate) Understand the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers according to school stage.
7.3.1 T P A (Graduate) Understand strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers.
7.4.1 T P A (Graduate) Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.

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

This unit was successfully taught in 2021. A greater emphasis has been placed upon differentiation and catering for the full range of learners for 2022 to enable trainees to more effectively address these challenges in their teaching.

Asynchronous learning activity.

All course members are to contribute to the creation of a Sydney University Geography skills booklet 2021, that they will subsequently all be able to utilise in their teaching.

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.