EDF5173 · Science: Physics in secondary years A

Overview

This unit prepares you to teach physics in secondary schools and colleges both as a specialist subject in senior years (Years 11 and 12) and within the junior science curriculum (Years 7 to 10). A central focus of the unit is for you to develop and apply critical thinking and reflection in regards to both teaching and learning. This enables you to build a deep understanding of the importance of developing and implementing an effective pedagogy for teaching physics that can be adapted and applied in diverse educational settings. The unit also builds an advanced knowledge of problematic physics content through an examination of the national and international physics education research literature and the application of evidence-based teaching approaches that successfully facilitate student learning. You will be assisted to trial and critique a wide variety of purposeful and effective teaching strategies including the implementation of innovative technologies considered essential for establishing a productive, diverse and sustainable secondary classroom. In addition, you will be introduced to local and national curricula (junior to senior years) and developments in global physics education so that you are confident about aligning and evaluating your teaching to successfully meet the demands of the curriculum. Throughout the unit, you will be encouraged to work collaboratively while being challenged to consider the key issues and dilemmas impacting contemporary physics education in a variety of contexts and how these might be addressed and influence your professional classroom practice.

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

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. articulate and apply your understanding of a constructivist perspective of learning in physics that accounts for the experiences and social and cultural backgrounds of your students
2. link the everyday world of the learner with physics in ways that are meaningful, relevant and engaging
3. interpret, critique and implement the language, content and assessment methods in senior physics curriculum documents incorporating your pedagogical reasoning in ways critical for successful physics teaching in secondary schools and colleges
4. develop ways to effectively communicate your advanced physics knowledge using a diverse range of appropriate teaching strategies, while planning lessons which encourage purposeful and critical thinking in your students
5. demonstrate an awareness of the ways in which science education research and innovative technologies help inform teacher practice to enhance student understanding of physics concepts.

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. *Subject to variation due to professional experience requirements.

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