Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

As language educators you will need to be able to use theoretically grounded processes to monitor and assess students as an integral part of the learning and teaching cycle. This unit focuses on the development of effective language programs and assessment practices for senior students.The unit will help integrate the current understanding of effective language/literacy acquisition and pedagogy with the varying assessment policy requirements of employing authorities.

Aims

This unit aims to expand your teaching repertoire so that you can provide all learners with an effective learning environment based on a critical awareness of good professional practice. It aims to develop your curriculum planning skills in relation to local frameworks and to discuss the use of video as an intercultural language learning tool. It also aims to prepare you for participation in school-based assessment.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate application of the principles of valid, fair, flexible and authentic assessment by discussing and planning a range of tasks and criteria for gathering evidence to make judgements about student learning. (QTC Standard 5)

2. Establish learning goals and assessment requirements which meet relevant curriculum frameworks, reflect students' experience and recognise the ongoing and evolving nature of learning. (QTC Standard 5)

3. Plan a substantial unit of work which provides students with opportunities to purposefully use a range of communication tools and participate through ICT in local, national and global communities (QTC Standards 1 & 6)

4. Demonstrate a developing understanding of ways to integrate intercultural language learning experiences into the language classroom and promote active citizenship through the investigation of intellectually challenging and worthwhile topics, problems and issues (QTC Standards 4 & 6)

5. Reflect critically on your role as a teacher and lifelong learner and demonstrate a commitment to assess your personal skills in both English and your teaching language and take steps to improve them where necessary for your teaching (QTC Standards 10 & 2)

Content

This unit will cover the following topics:
Course design and delivery at Senior level.
Assessment of language proficiency.
Summative and formative assessment in language classrooms.
QSA Senior Syllabus assessment & scaffolding of complex tasks.
The use of authentic and multi-modal materials to support critical/intercultural literacies.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The focus in the unit is on critical and constructive analysis of classroom learning experiences and interactions. This unit continues to explore the theoretical fundamentals of language curriculum and methodology and their practical implementation in the classroom. You will be expected to read widely in preparation for each session and participate in a collaborative dialogue with your peers as you reflect on your learning, share resources and continue to develop your own teaching perspective.

Assessment

The assessment for this unit has both formative and summative components. Both are integral to completion of the unit. In the course of this unit, you will complete the following assessment tasksInitial online discussion of readings
Compulsory consultation during Assignment 2 Project planning
Formative work with tutors on assessment tasks
Peer response to planning

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: Group design and scholarly 7 min presentation of Senior Grade 11 course overview with accompanying individual 300 word log
Length: Equivalent 800
Relates to objectives: 2, 4 & 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 4

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Written analysis in class of syllabus assessment procedures in terms of principles of assessment for learning (open syllabus). (Long time limit to accommodate students with ESL.)
Length: 1000 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: A curriculum project: planning a unit of work from assignment 1 and presenting a small section to class
Length: Equivalent 2000
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4 & 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

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

UK Assessment Reform Group

QSA Senior LOTE Syllabuses

Students will be referred to online, web and curriculum materials during the unit.

Referencing
All LOTE units use APA 5^th

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