Details for CRS332 Curriculum Studies – Geography: Part B

This subject, building upon CRS222 Curriculum Studies – Geography: Part A, prepares Teacher Education Students to teach Geography Years 11-12 syllabi developed by NESA and ACARA. It is designed to develop knowledge in the areas of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment for senior secondary school Geography students. It also aims to develop Teacher Education Students’ (TES) understanding and skills in examining and applying contemporary theory, concepts and issues in Geography as applied in the classroom context, including curriculum design and evaluation- assessment, examination and reporting. Using the local area as a research resource and fieldwork are integral parts of this subject. 

Quick Stats

• Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
• Course code: CRS332
• Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Prerequisite

The following courses are prerequisites:

• CRS222 Curriculum Studies – Geography: Part A 
• EDU103 Foundations in Christian Education
• EDU116 Introduction to Learning Theory

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of Australian and State educational policies and priorities and their effect on implementing ‘best practice’ teaching strategies and engaging resources to fulfil the aims of the ACARA Geography curriculum 11-12 and NSW Geography syllabi (Stage 6).
2. Analyse the geography curriculum in its organisation, the teacher’s role involving student support, mentoring, professional development goals, curriculum administration, WHS, and engaging with parents, professional and external community organisations in the teaching of Years 11-12 Geography in Christian and alternate school contexts.
3. Develop student-centred effective 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. Design and evaluate 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 within a high stakes environment
5. Prepare 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 suitable for reliably reporting to parents/carers.

Subject Content

1. Australian Curriculum Framework, State Geography Syllabus 
2. ACARA’s general capabilities
   • NSW Geography 11–12 syllabus
   • Whole-child policy
3. Values and human issues in Geography
4. Community Participation
   • Teacher professional associations
5. Teaching Year 11/12 geographical content and skills 
6. Explore a range of Pedagogical models for geography teaching and fieldwork
   • Teacher Decision Making
7. Teaching General Capabilities
8. Teaching for the range of abilities
   • Teaching for Diverse Settings 
9. Models supporting Assessment 
10. Developing the assessment task
11. Explore and apply Hattie’s concept of the Learning Journey

This course may be offered in the following formats

•  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. Fieldwork Project (30%)
2. Lesson Plan Sequence (30%)
3. Assessing a Unit of Work (40%)

Prescribed Text

No prescribed texts applicable.