EDF2068 · Foundation science

Overview

This unit introduces you to the foundations of primary science education. You will build your scientific literacy by developing your understanding of scientific concepts and big ideas across the four disciplines in the primary science curriculum. You will also build your confidence and capabilities with science by engaging with constructivist approaches to teaching science, strategically connecting learning to your prior knowledge, developing your capacity to question and inquire systematically and meaningfully, and using hands-on student-centred learning experiences to build scientific conceptual understanding. You will create a personal knowledge of the nature of science and demonstrate capacities to plan for science learning and teaching related to the Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian and Australian curriculum.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn science concepts and the implications for science teaching for early childhood and primary aged learners
2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key science concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies in early childhood and primary science
3. organise specific science content into an effective learning and teaching sequence
4. use your developing curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans in science
5. plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content, effective teaching strategies, and resources.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.