Details for CRS412 Curriculum Studies – Geography: Part A

Embark on a journey through Geography, unveiling the intricacies of our planet and its inhabitants. This subject offers insight into Earth’s diverse character and the factors that shape it. Suture educators will be prepared to teach Geography and related subjects such as Civics and Citizenship. Students delve into the theoretical and practical realms, exploring diverse strategies, approaches and to create informed assessments.

Quick Stats

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

Subject Coordinator

Prerequisite

Major in Geography.

The following courses are prerequisites:

• EDU401 – Foundations in Christian Learning and Teaching or 40 credit points.

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. Geography – the world its laboratory, wide discipline syllabi integration, thinking geographically, change over time and geography’s relationship with history, natural systems, learning skills, webquest, ICT in geography, concept building, progression in conceptual understanding, geographical learning and teaching strategies, cartography and global positioning technology, multi – media based presentations, role plays, guest speakers, field studies, permeable classroom, aesthetic expression, cooperative learning;
2. Values and human issues: Christian worldview perspectives, social action, volunteerism and charities, moral education, cultural and ideological difference, National Values Education project, values and the national curriculum (ACARA), interfaith understanding, ethical and legal issues in teaching, intelligent design, conflict and war, migration and refugees, economic and cultural development;
3. Year 7 – 10 Curriculum development and planning: curriculum rationale and learning and teaching approaches, objectives, outcomes, behavioural objectives, instructional objectives, geographical pedagogies, differentiation, Ralph Tyler’s model, understanding by design model (UBD), backwards design, unit development, lesson plans, lesson evaluations, question development and construction, models of communication, metacognition;
4. Teaching Australian Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Studies (Nunta Benta), the history of Australian Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Studies in schools, indigenous perspectives in geography, multicultural education, global studies and globalisation, studies of Asia, civics and citizenship, eco-scanner;
5. Geographical assessment strategies and interdisciplinary studies: recording and reporting, normative, formative, summative, portfolios, objective tests, anecdotal records, observation, working effectively with parents and volunteers, problem based learning, resource literacy, ICT and computers, blogs, wikis, TV and film, mp3, documentaries.

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face-to-Face
• Intensive
• Distance/ Global Online

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

1. Professional digital presentation (20%)
2. Lesson Plan Sequence (40%)
3. Assessing a Unit of Work (40%)

Prescribed Text

• References will include the most current curriculum requirements for schools.

Check with the instructor each semester before purchasing any prescribed texts or representative references