Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This second English curriculum studies unit offers a specific focus and professional application of studies you have undertaken in your discipline and education theory strands. This unit consequently assumes a knowledge of English texts appropriate for secondary students, general curriculum design, contextual issues of education and schooling, and adolescent learning development.
English Curriculum Studies 2 occurs in the middle of your Education course, since it builds on the foundational knowledge, understanding and skills gained from English Curriculum Studies 1. In this unit you will further develop and implement your understanding of the theories of language, texts and learners which shape secondary English curriculum and pedagogy. More particularly, you will explore the Australian Curriculum: English Framework; years 8-10 for its implicit informing theories and program specifications, and learn to plan lessons and English units of work for junior secondary classrooms, taking into account a range of social and cultural contexts and the diversity of learners within those contexts. You will develop a broadening repertoire of teaching strategies congruent with the current English Framework, analyse resources for their appropriateness and effectiveness, and evaluate a range of assessment and reporting practices for junior secondary English students.

Aims

This unit aims to provide you with opportunities to develop a theorized understanding of the Australian Curriculum: English Framework; years 8-10 and to implement this understanding by developing junior secondary lessons and curriculum units which are appropriate for the needs and interests of diverse learners in a range of sociocultural contexts. This will involve you in problem-solving, inquiry based learning. To this end you will analyse and evaluate a range of junior secondary English curriculum units, teaching strategies and resources.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate your critical understanding of the central concepts relating to the Discipline of English, including the range of contemporary informing theories and program framework of the Australian Curriculum: English Framework; years 8-10 [QCT Standard Two; QCT Standard Three]

2. Implement your theorised understandings of language, texts and learners through designing junior secondary English lessons and curriculum units congruent with the Australian Curriculum: English Framework; years 8-10 which take into account the diversity of learners, appropriate strategies, resources and learning opportunities within a range of social and cultural contexts [QCT Standard Two QCT Standard One]

3. Understand how to explicitly teach the language and literacy and literature skills necessary for students to achieve identified learning outcomes and demonstrate effective speaking, listening, reading, viewing, writing and designing, in a range of contexts by utilising a variety of teaching strategies congruent with the Australian Curriculum: English Framework; years 8-10 appropriate to the range of learners [QCT Standard Two]

4. Evaluate and design English curriculum lessons, resources and units within work programs and a range of assessment practices and adapt these appropriately and effectively in lesson and unit planning for junior secondary English students. [QCT Standard One]

Content

This unit will cover the following topics:

• The focus of this unit is on English language users and learners, and their specific needs, in the junior secondary years.



• You will develop an understanding of the conceptual framework of the Australian Curriculum: English Framework; years 8-10 and its implications for the organisation of learning experiences which address the needs of these students.



• Through analysing, selecting and developing teaching materials you will expand your repertoire of teaching strategies appropriate to the range of junior secondary English students.



• You will develop an understanding of assessment and reporting principles and practices for junior secondary English.



• You will undertake curriculum unit and lesson planning activities involving the development of specific outcomes for students, the evaluation and selection of resources, teaching and assessment strategies, and the coordination of these elements into written plans.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is designed to prepare you for the four-week Field Studies II which follow, in which you will teach English classes.

Internal mode
As a student on campus you will participate in a range of teaching strategies, including lectures, tutorials and workshops, group work, web-forum discussions and self-directed, inquiry-oriented learning. These are supported by appropriate library and web-based resources, set texts and readings. Unit and lesson planning will be demonstrated through sample materials provided for critical discussion in tutorials. You will also have opportunities in workshops to plan worthwhile learning and assessment activities for given materials, situations or students.

External mode
In this mode you access online materials consisting of unit information, weekly schedule lecture podcasts and study guide. You will also be directed in your study of selected readings, the set texts and English classroom materials. A series of exercises in the study guide will enable you to develop and evaluate your learning. You will have the opportunity to participate in a web-based forum.

Assessment

Assessment in the unit is both formative and summative. Formative assessment is provided for on-campus students through feedback from tutors and peers in workshops, and for external students through lecture podcasts, guided self-assessment and study guide activities. Formative assessment is also provided through written comments on the first assignment task. Summative assessment tasks are authentic, contribute to your learning, and are linked closely to the underlying principles of the unit. Tasks will be assessed according to a standard appropriate for undergraduates. Each of the tasks will provide you with opportunities to demonstrate the unit outcomes.

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: Three consecutive lesson plans within a given school and curriculum unit context.
Length: 2000 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: A junior secondary curriculum unit for a given school context.
Length: 2000 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Late-Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Set texts

ACARA (2011). Australian Curriculum: English Framework for Years 8-10; available online

Gannon, S.,Howie, M. And Sawyer, W. (Eds)(2009) Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English: Third Edition. Melbourne: Phoenix Education.

Wing Jan, L. (2009) Write Ways: Modelling writing forms. Melbourne: Oxford. Third edition


Williams, L. (2007) Secondary English Teaching: a survival manual, Volume 1. Rochedale South, Qld.: Wordsmart Consulting

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 10-Jan-2013