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Unit of study_

EDMT6608: Geography Curriculum 3

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will focus on teaching the Geography Syllabus for Years 11-12. In this unit students will study particular issues facing students studying for the HSC in NSW schools. Students will build on their previous studies in Years 7-10 Geography and further develop teaching strategies, resources and assessment techniques for teaching Stage 6 Geography. Added emphasis will be placed on assessment strategies and programs for the Preliminary/HSC course in Geography focusing on NSW Board of Studies requirements. Additional emphasis will be placed on strategies, skills and resources for both fieldwork and the Senior Geography Project. Students will also look at the ways the study of Geography for the HSC can lead to various post school destinations. Professional association membership and HSC marking will be promoted throughout this unit.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT6608
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points including EDMT5608 and EDMT5658
Corequisites
? 
EDMT6500
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Catherine Smyth, catherine.smyth@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment e-Learning task
n/a
30% Week 04 1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Developing a program of work
n/a
30% Week 07 1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Developing two assessment tasks
n/a
40% Week 14 (STUVAC) 1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • e-Learning task: You are required in groups of four students to develop a blog/wiki/google/Edmodo site for teaching an option in the Stage 6 Geography Syllabus.You should also provide a 1000 word Group reflection outlining the contribution of each member of your Group and the ways this task helps you to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
  • Developing a program of work: You are to develop a program for one topic in Stage 6 Geography. You should follow the suggested proforma in the Board of Studies "Support Document for Stage 6 Geography" (1999). You should also include a 500 word reflection addressing the ways this task helps you meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and outlining each person's contribution to the task.
  • Developing two assessment tasks: You are to develop two assessment tasks for HSC Geography. One task should cover the Preliminary Course and the other the HSC Course. In addition, you are to provide a 500 word justification of your tasks which considers the diverse ways that students learn, anticipates any classroom management issues and details the ways you will provide feedback to students on this task. You should also provide a 500 word reflection on the ways this task help you to meet the National Professional Standards for Teachers.

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 An introduction to the syllabus and its requirements Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
An introduction to the syllabus and its requirements Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Internal Assessment - the Preliminary Course and HSC Course Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Internal Assessment - the Preliminary Course and HSC Course Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Programming the geography syllabus Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Programming the geography syllabus Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Geographical concept and terms Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Geographical concept and terms Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 05 The senior Geography project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
The senior geography project Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Geographical inquiry methodology Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Geographical inquiry methodology Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 No description Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Fieldwork Field trip (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 08 External assessment in geography Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4
External assessment in geography Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 13 Global issues Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Global issues Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 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 Stage 6 Geography syllabus content and requirements with particular emphasis on the HSC
  • LO2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways students in Stage 6 Geography learn across a range of abilities and learning styles, including effective communication practices
  • LO3. demonstrate an ability to plan for effective learning in Stage 6 Geography through reference to current research and pedagogical practice including effective assessment strategies and be able to demonstrate researched based knowledge of the pedagogies for the Geography
  • LO4. develop an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning as a teacher of Stage 6 Geography underpinned by collegiality and including professional association membership of the NSW Geography Teachers Association.

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

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.