Details for CRS222 Curriculum Studies – Geography: Part A

Geography is an investigation of the world which provides an accurate description and interpretation of the varied character of the earth and its people. It is a key discipline through which students develop the ability to recognise and understand environmental change and the interactions which take place in our world. This subject aims to prepare pre-service teachers to confidently teach Geography and interdisciplinary areas such as Civics and Citizenship offered in the Years 7-10 syllabi as developed by NESA and ACARA. The subject aims to develop students’ knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects; engage with a range of pedagogical approaches and provides opportunities for the pre-service teachers to design learning and teaching sequences and assessment tools informed by research.   

Quick Stats

• Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
• Course code: CRS222
• Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Prerequisite

The following courses are prerequisites:

• EDU103 Foundations of Christian Education
• EDU116 Introduction to Learning Theory  
• Or 40 credit points  

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of Australian and State educational policies and priorities and how they inform ‘best practice’ teaching strategies, which along with engaging resources, enable teachers to fulfil the aims of the ACARA Geography curriculum 7-10 and NSW Geography syllabi (Stages 4 to 5). 
2. Describe in detail concepts, content and structure of 7-10 Geography, including (a) its language, literacy and numeracy demands, (b) its engagement with parents/carers through assessment, recording and reporting, and (c) engagement with the wider community, as this applies in both Christian and alternate school environments. 
3. Develop student-centred innovative and well-designed Geography learning activity sequences that include (a) geographical content [concepts, substance and structure, tools, and skills]; (b) language, literacy and numeracy demands arising from the content; and (c) ways of addressing the Australian Curriculum’s General Capabilities (GCs) and Cross-Curriculum Priorities (CCPs).  The lesson plans should also include provisions to identify, apply and assess age-appropriate and differentiated strategies for the full range of student abilities [supporting their well-being and safety] and diverse backgrounds [multilingual and sociocultural]. 
4. Critically reflect upon units of work, lesson activity sequences, and curriculum materials using critically appraised theories, models and approaches, evidence-based research, and the four dimensions of the Critical Thinking for Humanity framework. 
5. Prepare and critically reflect upon a variety of assessment instruments that illustrate ‘best practice’ in assessment.  The assessment instruments must demonstrate understanding of assessment-generated statistical information and their application to evaluate student learning achievement so as to be able to report reliably to parents/carers. 

Subject Content

1. Australian Curriculum Framework, State Geography Syllabus 
2. Values and human issues
   • Community Participation
   • Teacher professional associations
3. Teaching 7-10 geographical content, skills, enquiry processes and values 
   • Teacher Decision-Making  
   • Teaching General Capabilities  
   • Teaching for the range of abilities
   • Teaching for Diverse Settings 
4. Teacher program building 
   • Teacher decision making 
5. Models supporting Assessment 

This course may be offered in the following formats

•  Face to face on site (extensive) 
• E-learning (online/asynchronous)
•  E-learning (online/synchronous)

Please check the timetable to see when this subject will next be offered at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

1. Professional Digital Presentation (50%)
2. Sequential Lesson Planning (30%)
3. Assessing a Unit of Work (20%)

Prescribed Text

No prescribed texts applicable.