Engaging Students with Writing

Subject 460-623 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Parkville Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 hours contact
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours commitment
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Ray Misson
Subject Overview: This subject will examine major approaches to teaching writing in the middle years of school. Intersections between theory and practice will be explored, with a focus on building professional knowledge and skills needed to enhance student production of a diverse range of written texts. Topics will include: thinking and writing, writing for learning, models of classroom writing, linking reading and writing, working with and beyond genres, developing an understanding of textual features, generating ideas for writing, writing as an imaginative activity, crafting texts, writing in multimodal forms, assessing writing.
Assessment: One 1,500 word assignment on writing in classrooms (40 per cent) due in the second last week of the subject; a portfolio of writing accompanied by a reflection on the processes involved in producing it, totalling approximately 2,500 words due at the end of the subject (60 per cent).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of the subject students will be able to:
  • demonstrate an extensive knowledge of major approaches to teaching writing in middle years of school classrooms;
  • demonstrate the capacity to apply this knowledge in the development and appraisal of effective classroom practice;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in creating various kinds of texts.

This subject aims to:

  • demonstrate an informed respect for the values, ethics and practices of English teaching as a profession;
  • use advanced communication technologies to support their own learning and research and the learning of their students;
  • demonstrate an ability and confidence to participate effectively in collaborative learning as a team member, while respecting individual differences;
  • demonstrate the ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Links to further information: www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au
Related Course(s): Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies(Middle Years Literacies)
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Generalist)

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