ETL224 - Science Education

Credit Points:

10

Mode:

Internal/External

Assumed
Knowledge:

NA

Location:

Batchelor/Casuarina
Campus & Learnline

Pre-Requisite(S):

NA

Learning
Method:

ITV/OLR

Year:

2014

Unit
Coordinator:

Dr Gregory Smith

Semester:

ONE/TWO

Phone:

08 8946 6320

School:

Education

Email:

Gregory.Smith@cdu.e
du.au

Please see your learnline unit for the lecturers contact details

Unit Description
This uses the science curricula from around Australian, including the Australian
Curriculum-Science to provide students with a sound theoretical and working
knowledge of teaching science with a global perspective. The unit is designed
to provide opportunities to acquire the skills and techniques necessary for the
teaching, planning and implementation of a science program.
Learning Outcomes
The purpose of this unit is to provide you with a sound theoretical working
knowledge of teaching science in early childhood, primary and middle years of
schools. The unit is designed to provide you with the opportunity to acquire the
pedagogical content knowledge necessary to teach science.
On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Gain confidence in your ability to teach and learn science, which should
be considered fun and enjoyable;
2. Employ a range of science teaching strategies that cater for individuals
and groups of students and various age cohorts;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the development of childrens science
concepts, scientific reasoning abilities, manipulative skills and attitudes;
4. Articulate the components of and provide a rationale based on theory for
the design, implementation and evaluation of a worthwhile and effective
year level science programme;
5. Develop, justify and apply or demonstrate how to apply appropriate
instructional strategies including the management of the learning
environment and the selection of activities and the resources for the
teaching of science;
6. Demonstrate and make application of ICT in science education; and
7. Demonstrate a social/relational capacity to participate and work both
independently and collaboratively, communicate appropriately, and
address ethical and attitudinal issues related to becoming a teacher of
science
School of Education

Unit Information

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School of Education

Unit Information

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Learning Schedule
Estimated
time frame

Content

Tutorial activities

Student Preparation

1.1 The Nature of Science

1.1.1 Teachers conceptions of

learning science, teaching
science and science

Please read the unit information

Module 1 Title
Week 1

1.1.2

A bridge to Science

1.1.3 Draw-a-Scientist test

1.1.4

Nature of Science

M1 T1 Online Discussion board

Week 2

1.2 Working Scientifically

1.2.1 Working Scientifically

1.2.2 Planning for Student
Investigations
M1 T2 Online Discussion Board

Week 3

1.3 Positioning Science Teacher

Knowledge

1.3.1 Science and PISA

1.3.2 Why is this relevant?
1.3.3 NAP 2009 results
1.3.4 Scientific Literacy
M1T3 Online Discussion Board:

Week 4

1.4 Conceptual Change

1.4.1 Alternative Conceptions

1.4.2 Online Discussion Board:
Implications of the
Conceptions

School of Education

Unit Information

Page | 3

Please read& review the plagiarism

declaration
Download the assignment information

Week 5/6

1.5 Constructivist Approach to

Teaching Science

1.5.1

Investigations and your

Learning

Task 1:

Fermentation

Task 2:

Ginger Beer

M1 T5
Board:

Online Discussion

Assignment 1
Alternative conceptions and Science
Investigations

The 5E's
Week 7/8

1.6 Primary connections

1.6.1 Primary Connections Units

M1 T6 Online Discussion Board:
Science and Literacy

Module 3 Title
Week 9/10

2.1 Engaging and

Organising the VisualBrain

2.1.1 Science Curriculum Mind

Map
2.1.2 Indigenous Perspectives
2.1.3 Graphic Organisers

Week 11

2.2 Engaging your Students I

2.2.1 Concept Cartoons

2.2.2 Conversations about
Science

Week 12

2.3 Engaging your Students II

2.3.1 Learning Objects

M2 T1
Board:

Online Discussion
Digital Resources

School of Education

Unit Information

Page | 4

Assignment 2 Engaging and

Activating Students

Assessments
Assignment 1
Title

Misconceptions and Science Investigations

Value

40%

Week Due

Week 6, Sunday by midnight

Length

As appropriate

Learning
Outcomes

2,3,4,7
Please see Learnline for further details

Assignment 2
Title

Engaging and Activating Students

Value

60%

Week Due

Week 11, Sunday: by midnight

Length

As appropriate

Learning
Outcomes

1,3,5,6
Please see Learnline for further details

School of Education

Unit Information

Page | 5