Details for CRS412 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 Teacher Education Students (TES) to teach Geography and interdisciplinary areas such as Civics and Citizenship offered in the Geography K–10 Syllabus confidently, 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 TES to design learning and teaching sequences and assessment tools informed by research.  

Quick Stats

• Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
• Course code: CRS412
• Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Prerequisite

The following courses are prerequisites:

• EDU407 Foundations of Christian Education 
• Major in Geography

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of Australian and State educational policies and priorities and their effect on implementing ‘best practice’ teaching strategies and engaging resources fulfil the aims of the ACARA Geography curriculum 7-10 and NSW Geography syllabi (Stages 4 to 5); 
2. Describe in detail the subject’s organisation in understanding the teacher’s role involving support, mentoring, professional development goals, curriculum administration, WHS, and engaging with parents/carers, professional and external community organisations in the teaching of 7-10 Geography in Christian and alternate school environments; 
3. Develop student-centred innovative and well-designed Geography lesson sequences including geographical content (concepts, substance and structure), tools, and skills; language, literacy and numeracy demands of the content; the general capabilities and cross curriculum priorities, and identify, apply and assess age appropriate differentiated strategies for the full range of student abilities (supporting their well-being and safety) and diverse backgrounds (multilingual and sociocultural);  
4. Design and critically reflect upon units of work, lesson sequences, and curriculum materials using threshold concepts and skills development, knowledge acquisition and signature pedagogies that incorporate ICT, Quality Teaching Framework, and Great Teaching Inspired Learning using Understanding by Design;
5. Prepare and critically reflect upon a variety of assessment instruments using ‘best practice’ that demonstrate understanding of statistical information, assessment moderation and its application to judge student achievement through assessment of learning, for learning and in learning, and reliably report 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 and skills 
   • Teacher Decision Making  
   • Teaching General Capabilities  
   • Teaching for the range of abilities 
   • Teaching for Diverse Settings 
4. Teacher program building 
5. Models supporting Assessment 

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face to face (extensive)
• Face to face (intensive)
• Online (e-learning)

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

Assessment Methods

1. Digital video presentation (20%)
2. Sequential lesson planning (40%)
3. Assessing a Unit of Work (40%)

Prescribed Text

No prescribed texts applicable.