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Learning Area Biology 2 (EDUC90430)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Overview
Availability | July |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores the rationale, resources, methodology and specific techniques (pedagogy) appropriate to teaching, learning and assessing Biology, drawing from the current VCAA Biology Study Design (particularly Units 2 and 4) and ACARA. Supporting students in the wider skills of experimentation and inquiry processes will also be embedded. These areas will be addressed with particular emphasis on the use of ICT to aid understanding of concepts and to model change.
Teacher candidates will evidence their progression in both understanding and implementation of contemporary, research supported, pedagogies through the development and presentation of a resource (Assignment 1) suitable to support learning for a mixed ability VCE classroom, with a focus on multi-modal activity based experiences and higher order thinking. Through completion of Assignment 2, Teacher Candidates will explore the use of a blog as a collegiate interface to present an informed professional opinion on a topic of significance in Biology. These tasks support the development of 21st century skills and an experience of selection of specific pedagogies and tools to support their future learners.
Many elements of ICT literacy and numeracy are evident in Biology, particularly with regard to Inquiry Skills. These include practical measurement and the collection, representation and interpretation of data from investigations.
Within this subject, teacher candidates will also be introduced to relevant professional associations and bodies who support the collaborative development of disciplinary pedagogical knowledge and expertise.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, Teacher Candidates should be able to:
Graduate Standards refers to the Graduate-level Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
- Critically reflect on research into how students learn and understand the concepts, substance, structure and implications for effective teaching practice of biology, including the creation of effective learning environments and specific resources to support learning and teaching (Graduate Standards 1.2, 2.1 & 4.4)
- Consolidate skills in lesson plan design and learning sequences, using knowledge of student learning, curriculum, assessment, reporting as well as effective teaching resources for teaching and learning in Biology and Science (Graduate Standards 2.2, 2.3, 3.2)
- Understand how to select and set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics (Graduate Standard 3.1).
- Select and enact appropriate strategies and pedagogies to differentiate teaching to meet specific needs of students in science classroom settings, including digital technologies, literacy, numeracy and 21st Century skills in order to engage and empower students in their learning (Graduate Standards 1.5, 2.5, 2.6, 3.3, 3.4, 4.4)
- Evaluate, adapt and develop teaching programs to improve learning and reflect to determine the effectiveness of strategies and resources (Graduate Standard 3.6)
- Identify and implement assessment strategies including formal and informal diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess and to support students’ learning of biology and science (Graduate Standards 5.1, 5.2 & 5.4).
Generic skills
This subject will develop the following set of key transferable skills:
- Clinical reasoning and thinking
- Problem solving
- Evidence based decision making
- Creating and innovating
- Working in teams communicating and collaborating with other professionals
- Learning to learn and metacognition
- Being responsive to a changing knowledge base
- Reflecting and continually making improvements
- Linking theory and practice
- Inquiring and researching
- Becoming a citizen and taking personal and social responsibility.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EDUC90429 | Learning Area Biology 1 | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EDUC90909 | Clinical Teaching Practice (Sec) 2 |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Oral presentation on a digital technologies resource (10 minutes) and resource sheet (1500 words equivalent), due mid semester (50%)
- Reflective blog on Biology education (2500 words equivalent), due end of semester (50%)
Hurdle requirements:
- Minimum of 80% attendance at all scheduled lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Dates & times
- July
Principal coordinator Emma Stevenson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 8 July 2019 to 23 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 29 July 2019 Census date 9 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 October 2019 Assessment period ends 15 November 2019 July contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
VCAA (2016) VCE Biology Study Design (also available online)Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) website. http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/studies/biology/biologyindex.aspx
And a collection of research readings relevant to teaching and learning in Biology and Science.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Teaching (Secondary) Course Master of Teaching (Secondary) - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 10 February 2024