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Unit of study_

EDPE6013: Learning and Teaching Thinking Skills

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This core unit of study centres on examination and evaluation of a number of approaches to the development of higher order cognitive skills. Consideration will be given to the structuring of knowledge to facilitate explanation, problem-solving and creativity and to the use of internalised self-regulatory control strategies in fostering cognitive outcomes. Ways in which thinking and cognition can be supported and extended in educational contexts will be examined in some detail. Particular attention will be given to factors that influence thinking, the role of tools and technologies in facilitating thinking, and perspectives on thinking and cognition generated by contemporary research in cognitive science.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDPE6013
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Ginns, paul.ginns@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Seminar discussion
Seminar discussion
20% Multiple weeks 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Seminar discussion paper
Seminar discussion paper
30% Week 05
Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Essay and annotated bibliography
Essay and annotated bibliography
50% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Seminar discussion paper: You will provide a cognitive load appraisal/load reduction appraisal of an approach, method or program centered on teaching thinking skills.
  • Seminar discussion: Scheduling of your chosen discussion topic will take place in week 3. In your allocated time slot you are required to guide the class in a discussion about your chosen topic with your written paper informing the basis of the discussion. It is expected that everyone in class will have read your paper and prepared questions about your topic prior to your discussion as a mandatory part of their weekly readings. You will prepare questions to pose to the class to stimulate critical thinking about both theory and practice.
  • Essay and annotated bibliography: Part A – Choose a different topic to your first assignment from the list of Assessment 1 topics. Review your chosen topic through the lens of cognitive load theory and/or load reduction instruction. Part B – As part of this assignment you are required to compile an annotated bibliography of sources relevant to your essay topic. The structure of your essay reference list and the annotated bibliography will be integrated. Please follow standard APA guidelines for formulating a general reference list for your work – then add annotations into the reference list only for key references that you find most interesting, informative and useful

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For each day or part-day an assignment is late, there will be a 5% penalty. If an assignment is more than 10 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 Introduction to course. What is thinking? And do we really need to teach it? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Cognitive Load Theory - An Overview Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 The challenges of teaching problem solving Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Teaching critical thinking Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Creativity: can it be taught? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Developing habits (or, thinking without thinking) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Self-reflection activity Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 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. 

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 an understanding of some of the theories surrounding the learning and teaching of thinking skills
  • LO2. align theories of learning and thinking skills with teaching, learning and assessment practices
  • LO3. reflect on the different approaches that can be used to optimise learning
  • LO4. demonstrate an ability to understand and integrate related topics in this unit
  • LO5. derive educational implications and applications from the theory and research presented in this unit
  • LO6. demonstrate competence in oral and written 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

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

In 2020, a new focus on the role of habit formation in thinking and learning is included in EDPE6013.

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.