Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies

About this unit

This unit aims to introduce students to theories of learning and development. They are introduced to the major theories of learning and explore how these relate to teaching processes. Students will be challenged to reflect upon their own belief system and how this relates to different contemporary theories and contexts of learning and its potential impact on teaching. In addition, students will explore how developmental factors impact learning.

Content

After successfully completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse key learning theories and relate them to values, beliefs and contexts.
• Critically reflect upon personal beliefs about learning and teaching and relate these to contemporary theories and practice.
• Apply their understanding of learning theories to analyse pedagogy and classroom practice.
• Demonstrate and communicate knowledge and understanding of the intellectual, physical, language, emotional, moral, social and psychological development of children and young people in contemporary society and how these may affect learning.

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About this unit

In this unit, pre-service teachers will develop an understanding of curriculum learning areas, their concepts, content, and structure that will support their knowledge and ability to organise classroom activities and communicate required learning to students. They will also explore human development as a lens to convey how the planning and effective implementation of teaching and learning programs including trauma informed pedagogy promotes inclusion for all students. Through this exploration they will learn how to set achievable goals and challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics and also locate relevant teaching strategies and evidence-based pedagogy that effectively supports student learning outcomes. They will also be supported to identify evaluative tools that measure impact on student learning and wellbeing.

Content

• Curriculum, types of curriculum, Curriculum concepts, content, and structure an overview (National and State)
• What is pedagogy, instructional models (HITS, e5), differentiation, teaching strategies
• Assessment Evaluative tools and Assessment practices that measure impact on student learning and wellbeing
• Human development as a lens to explore trauma informed pedagogy, neurodiverse and additional learning needs
• Creating and maintaining a safe and challenging learning environment.
• Planning and teaching of learning programs
• Communicating learning to students
• Organising classroom activities (Inclusion and engagement)

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About this unit

This unit prepares pre-service teachers to plan, teach and assess Mathematics in the primary classroom. In this unit pre-service teachers will gain knowledge of the principles, practices and curriculum context of teaching and learning Mathematics. An emphasis will be placed on the use of ICT to support mathematical teaching and learning.

Content

• Relevant national and/or state or territory curriculum
• Contemporary pedagogical approaches and methods of teaching Mathematics, including the use of ICT
• Mathematical concepts
• Principles of planning and assessing within Mathematics
• Strategies for assessing student learning, including the importance and functions of moderation and providing feedback to enhance learning

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About this unit

In this unit, the students will develop understandings of theory and practice in arts education with a focus on dance, drama, music, media and visual arts. They will be able to demonstrate an understanding of arts education concepts to a level appropriate for teaching in the primary classroom and the ability to design and implement teaching programs in the arts for children. This unit aims to help students gain knowledge and skills to increase their appreciation and understanding of the contribution of the arts to learning in the lives of children. It also explores ways to support and encourage children’s creativity and confidence in expressing themselves.

Content

• Supporting creative expression and self-expression through singing, using musical instruments, movement, drama and dance, media and visual art
• The historical and pedagogical contexts for a creative arts curriculum
• Evaluating movement, dance, drama, music, media and visual art resources for primary age children using contemporary pedagogical frameworks
• Using voice and singing to promote language development, physical skills and movement
• The roles of the teacher in facilitating children's creative, aesthetic, musical and dramatic development and confidence
• Imagined spaces: Arts environments that encourage sharing and confidence
• Imagined places: The arts and cultural contexts
• Creating an inclusive curriculum that encourages all children, including children with additional needs, to participate in creative arts making and sharing experiences
• Contemporary approaches to arts learning, teaching and assessment.

This unit is found in Master of Teaching (Primary). View further information about this unit.

About this unit

This unit focuses on the physical, psychological and social development of children and adolescents with a view to providing a theoretical foundation for discussions of appropriate teaching methods in the early and middle years of schooling. The unit covers theories of child development, physical and motor development, catering for individual differences, perceptual development, personality, attachment and attachment behaviour, social competence and identity.

Content

• Key theorists in psychological and social development such as: Piaget; Vygotsky; Kegan; Egan; Erikson; Kohlberg; Gilligan
• The biology and neurology of learning in childhood and adolescence
• Language development and literacy
• Attachment and attachment theory
• The role of play in children’s development
• The impact of social, cultural and environmental factors on children’s cognitive, emotional and social development
• Applying developmental theory in adapting pedagogy to the developmental level of students
• Self-concept and self-worth in childhood and adolescence

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About this unit

This unit focuses on preparing pre-service teachers to plan, teach and assess the Humanities and Social Science learning areas of History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business within in the primary classroom. In this unit pre-service teachers will gain knowledge of the principles, practices and curriculum content and key concepts of teaching Humanities and Social Sciences. Contemporary issues when teaching Humanities will also be considered. An emphasis will be placed on the use of ICT to support Humanities teaching and learning. View further information on this unit.

About this unit

This unit focuses on preparing students to teach science and technology in the primary classroom.

Content

• Relevant National and/or State and Territory curriculum
• STEM: The relationship between Science and Technology
• Contemporary pedagogical approaches and methods of teaching and learning in Science, including the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT)
• Principles of planning and assessing within Science
• Strategies for assessing student learning, including the importance and functions of moderation and providing feedback to enhance learning
• Maintaining safe, inclusive and challenging learning environments in a primary Science classroom
• Student engagement
• Science knowledge and concepts
• Resources in science

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