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Unit of study_

EDMT6015: Science Curriculum Elective: Chemistry

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

This unit of study aims to prepare graduates for the teaching of Chemistry in high schools as their teaching specialisation. Students will investigate the nature and purpose of teaching Chemistry and Senior Science in for Years 11-12. Students will examine teaching and learning strategies to meet the needs of the diverse learners in Stage 6 and how to plan units of work and assess students' achievements.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT6015
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points including EDMT5617 and EDMT5667
Corequisites
? 
EDMT6500
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Louise Sutherland, louise.sutherland@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Group unit/program
Please see Canvas for more information
40% - Please see Canvas for more information
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Presentation hurdle task Chemistry demonstration
n/a
25% Multiple weeks equivalent to 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3
Assignment Preparation of a depth study
n/a
35% Week 04 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Chemistry demonstration: You will have the opportunity to choose a chemistry concept in week 1, found in the new chemistry syllabus.  You need to prepare a demonstration, and associated written materials which you could use in a stage 6 chemistry class.
  • Preparation of a depth study: In this task, you are required to produce a resource for both teachers and students that will guide and support them to undertake and complete an independent study of a topic of their 'choosing'.
  • Presentation of activity from group unit/program: Each member of your group will present an activity from the group unit plan/program.
  • Group unit/program: In a group of three or four students, develop a unit plan or part of a program, and accompanying materials (as listed below) for the implementation of a key concept area from the new stage 6 chemistry syllabus (as assigned in class).
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 Stage 6 science and its place in the K-12 continuum Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Unpacking the syllabus 1 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Unpacking the syllabus 2 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 What about Investigating and Extension Science - the new kids on the block Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Pedagogical issues in teaching chemistry 1 Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Pedagogical issues in teaching chemistry 2 Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Assessment in Stage 6 and the RoSA Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Assessment in stage 6 chemistry 1 Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assessment in Stage 6 Chemistry 2 Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Congratulations - you've been accepted to the 2022 HSC Exam Committee Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Scope and sequencing: developing teaching programs and units of work for the new syllabuses Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Empirical and conceptual knowledge in chemistry Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Doing the RAP Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Misconceptions in chemistry Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Developing higher order thinking in all students Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 The ethical aspects of chemistry Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
What makes a good chemistry lesson? Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Group Presentation 1 Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Group Presentation 2 Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Group Presentation 3 Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Sanity check Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Required text: Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus. NESA (2017)

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. describe and discuss the role and value of chemistry in the school curriculum
  • LO2. identify the central ideas of chemistry present in school science syllabuses stage 4-5 science and stage 6 chemistry
  • LO3. analyse the organisation of the NSW stage 6 chemistry syllabuses including, the aims, objectives, outcomes, content, skills
  • LO4. identify NSW educational standards authority requirements for stage 6 chemistry and incorporate authentic assessment strategies in planning for teaching and learning and monitoring students' achievement
  • LO5. use current research and theory about the principles and practices of teaching and learning chemistry to critically evaluate resources to meet the range of learning needs for stage 6 students
  • LO6. select resources (including ICT) to implement a range of teaching and learning strategies for teaching of chemistry in the senior high school
  • LO7. competently and safely carry out demonstrations and organise and conduct other laboratory-based activities to support the teaching of chemistry and senior school science
  • LO8. develop a range of literacy and numeracy activities to enhance students scientific communication skills
  • LO9. demonstrate professional competence in their communication skills.

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
2.1.1. (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
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.
LO3
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.
2.2.1. (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.
3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
LO4
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.
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.
3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
5.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
5.3.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment moderation and its application to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning.
LO5
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.
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.
2.6.1. (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.
LO6
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.
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.
3.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
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.
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.
3.3.1. (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.
4.3.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour.
4.4.1. (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
LO8
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.
1.5.1. (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.
2.5.1. (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.2.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1 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.
2.1.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1 A (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1 A (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.5.1 A (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
2.6.1 A (Graduate) Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
3.1.1 A (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1 A (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1 A (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
4.2.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
4.4.1 A (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
5.1.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.

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

The assessment tasks, lectures and seminars have been re-organised based on feedback from previous cohorts of students.

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.