Discipline-Specific Pedagogy A

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours total commitment

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

The Melbourne Graduate School of Education welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Graduate School policy to take reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Graduate School’s programs.
The core participation requirements for study in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education are:

In all courses

1. The ability to comprehend complex information related to education and the disciplines in which the student is teaching.
2. The ability to communicate clearly and independently in assessment tasks a knowledge of the content, principles and practices relating to education and other relevant disciplines.
3. Behavioural and social attributes that enable a student to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel a disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact Disability Liaison.

This compulsory 12.5 point subject builds on the students' previous training in the methodology of their discipline (Science, Mathematics, or Technology etc). It focuses on the language and pedagogy of the discipline they teach through English and introduces them to the methods favoured in modern western education. The focus is on all aspects of methodology in the particular discipline, including course design, a review of methodological approaches (e.g., process approaches, inquiry approach, etc), teaching techniques, assessment and materials selection, and the use of ICT. This subject may focus on one discipline but, depending on the needs of the particular cohort, may cover two disciplines from Science, Mathematics or Technology though usually the second discipline will be offered in "Discipline-Specific Pedagogy B".

• Commitment to professional and academic ethics and excellence
• Ability to set personal targets and plan to achieve them
• Development of the students' ability to direct their own independent learning
• Ability to discuss their discipline area in appropriate English and to communicate it to students
• Ability to read critically and present material concisely and coherently in written and oral presentations relevant
• Skills in observing teaching, evaluating it and applying their findings to their own teaching situations
• Skills in reflecting upon, evaluating and developing their own teaching
• Ability to develop pedagogical strategies appropriate to their teaching situation (in CLIL)
• Reflect critically on their teaching, program planning and/or the management of relevant educational programs
• Understand and apply principles of teaching, assessment and evaluation

• An essay of 1000 words relevant to Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 8, due just before the mid-point of the subject (25%)
• Notes for two different lessons in their discipline (equivalent in workload to a 1000 word essay), demonstrating achievement of Objectives 4, 5 and 6, due just after the mid- point of the subject (25%)
• End-of-subject written examination equivalent to a 2000 word essay, the examination to be of 2 hours duration, relevant to objectives 1 to 8, due at the end of the subject (50%).

A list of useful references and other sources will be provided.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.