Unit outline_

EDUP4108: Creativity: Practice and Pedagogy

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is founded on a guiding question - How do 21st century teachers develop their own creativity and foster student creativity as a meaningful basis for innovative pedagogical practice and authentic learning? Throughout this unit students are encouraged to reflect deeply on their own imaginative processes, linked to both personal and professional aspects of their emerging teacher identity and implications for future learning and teaching.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
36 credit points of 3000-level EDUP-coded units
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Natasha Beaumont, natasha.beaumont@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment AI Allowed Creative Presentation & Submitted Work
Micro-Teaching & Written Reflection
50% Multiple weeks
Due date: 23 May 2025 at 23:59
1 x 3000 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration AI Allowed Image Making
Creative artwork
20% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2025 at 23:59
1 x 1000 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration AI Allowed Multimodal Narrative
Children's Picture Book
30% Week 08
Due date: 14 Apr 2025 at 23:59
1 x 2000 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Image making: Students will create an original artwork in the medium of their choice. Student must link the central image/theme of their work with arts education concepts. These artworks will be exhibited or performed in class with students given an opportunity to discuss their creative process with their peers. Detailed information for this assessment can be found on Canvas. 

Multimodal Narrative: Students will compose an original children's picture book. This may be in digital or hardcopy form. These multimodal narratives will be shared with the class. Students will discuss their picture books with reference to visual and critical literacy pedagogy for primary learners. 

Creative Presentation & Submitted Work: In pairs, students will lead the class in a micro-lesson using the art form of their choice. An accompanying lesson plan will also be submitted, making links to curriculum and theory. Included in the written submission will be a personal reflection from each student, discussing their lesson delivery and reflecting on their experiences in the unit as a whole.

Detailed information on all assessments will be available on Canvas.

AI Use: Tools such as ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and other generative AI may be used to generate artworks, stories and lesson plans. However, you must develop and refine these to a substantial degree to ensure your submission is your own, original work. You must include a statement at the end of any submitted assignments acknowledging and describing your use of AI tools. 

Assessment criteria

Detailed rubrics are provided for each assessment task and can be found on Canvas.

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Intro to Unit & Creative Arts Workshop Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 02 Arts & Cultural Excursion - Reverse Garbage Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 03 Creative Arts Workshop Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Arts & Cultural Excursion - Sydney Conservatorium Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 05 Creative Arts Workshop Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Arts & Cultural Excursion - Art Gallery of NSW Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 07 Creative Arts Workshop Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Creative Arts Workshop Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Arts & Cultural Excrsion - Sydney Opera House Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 10 Student-Led Creative Arts Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Student-Led Creative Arts Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Student-Led Creative Arts Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

This unit includes a number of off-site tutorials. Travel to excursion destinations will occur during the tutorial's timetabled hours. Travel back to campus/ home will not. Please make a note of this if scheduling any commitments directly after this class.

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 through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

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 knowledge about diverse concepts of creativity and their relation to personal and professional aspects of teacher identity
  • LO2. Articulate the nature and scope of quality visual arts, music, drama, dance, literature and media arts experiences and activities in facilitating learning across all key learning areas
  • LO3. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of ‘critical literacy’ and ‘visual literacy’ and how the creative arts can facilitate teacher and student development in these areas
  • LO4. Identify the nature and diversity of the creative arts across the primary curriculum and in relation to the development, needs and interests of primary age children
  • LO5. Identify quality creative arts resource materials, performances, exhibitions and quality professional learning experiences
  • LO6. Use selected art form/s to effectively express personal and pedagogical understandings

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.