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Unit of study_

EDMT6017: Science Curriculum Elective: Physics

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

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

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT6017
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 Debra Talbot, debra.talbot@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Debra Talbot, debra.talbot@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Scaffolding a student depth study
n/a
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 15 Jun 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 19 Jun 2020
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation Physics teaching demonstration with accompanying teachers guide
n/a
20% Multiple weeks
Due date: 18 Mar 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 20 Mar 2020
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment group assignment Plan and supporting materials for a physics lesson sequence
n/a
40% Week 07
Due date: 06 Apr 2020 at 09:00

Closing date: 06 Apr 2020
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Physics teaching demonstration with accompanying teachers guide: Identify an aspect of the NESA stage 6 physics syllabus related to your assigned physics concept and prepare a demonstration and associated written materials which you could use in a stage 6 physics class. Plan a 10-15 minute presentation for your peers that includes the demonstration and comments on its use in the school classroom. Presentations will run in weeks 4-7. 
  • Plan and supporting materials for a physics lesson sequence: In groups of 2-4, prepare a plan for a sequence of activities and accompanying materials for the teaching of your allocated content area from the NESA stage 6 physics syllabus. 
  • Scaffolding a student depth study: In this task you are required to produce a teachers guide and a resource for students that will guide and support them to undertake and complete an independent study of a topic of their 'choosing'. 

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 1 hour lecture: Stage 6 Science and its place in the K-12 Continuum Seminars: Key concepts in physics and their relationship to syllabus requirements. Physics as a context for improving literacy and numeracy. Seminar (5 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 1 hour lecture: Unpacking the Investigating and Extension Science syllabuses Seminars: Designing and conducting practical demonstrations and first-hand investigations. Safety in the physics classroom: WHS regulations, Australian and NSW DEC codes and policies. Seminar (5 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 03 1 hour lecture: Assessment in Stage 6 and the RoSA Seminars: Identifying and addressing student misconceptions. Assessing prior knowledge and planning for learning. Seminar (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 1 hour lecture: Congratulations; you’ve been accepted for the 2022 HSC Exam Committee Seminars: Part 1- Planning for context-based learning, problem-based learning, collaborative and independent learning, differentiated learning Seminar (5 hr) LO5
Week 05 1 hour lecture: Doing the RAP Seminars: POE & demonstrations Seminar (5 hr) LO3 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Part 2: Planning for context-based learning, problem-based learning, collaborative and independent learning, differentiated learning Seminar (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 'Depth Study' as a pedagogical procedure Seminar (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Scaffolding depth study for diverse learners. Good Friday Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Scaffolding depth study for diverse learners Seminar (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6

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. describe and discuss the role and value of physics in the K-12 school curriculum
  • LO2. identify the central concepts of physics present in school science syllabi and describe the progressive development of physics concepts K-12
  • LO3. apply current research and theory in physics education including alternative models of pedagogy for teaching and learning of physics to the interpretation and implementation of the NSW Stage 6 Physics syllabus
  • LO4. critically evaluate resource materials for physics teaching and the presentation of physics in schools and in the wider society
  • LO5. analyse and prepare teaching resources (including ICT) incorporating a range of teaching and learning strategies to meet the needs of learners in stage 6 physics
  • LO6. identify and implement NESA assessment requirements for stage 6 physics and incorporate authentic assessment strategies in planning for teaching and learning
  • LO7. competently and safely carry out demonstrations and organise and conduct other laboratory based activities to support the teaching and learning of physics
  • LO8. demonstrate professional competence in 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 (Professional Level – PG and Professional Learning) - AITSL
2.2.2. (Proficient) Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching programs.
LO3
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.
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
3.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
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
5.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
LO7
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
4.1.1. (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
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
6.3.1. (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.

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.

Work, health and safety

Enclosed footwear is to be worn at all times in the laboratory

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.