Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Science Education in Primary Schools 2

• Unit Code

  SCE3240

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit will provide opportunities to examine the purpose and nature of science teaching and learning within primary school contexts. In this unit, students will learn about scientific literacy as the goal of science education, the pedagogies associated with effective teaching and the processes related to science inquiry.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed SCE1260 or NSL1260.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCE3260, SCE2010, SCE2100.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Develop personal scientific literacy including science understandings and inquiry skills relevant to the primary school context.
2. Describe the rationale, aims, scope and sequence of contemporary science curriculum documents.
3. Describe the purposes, values and applications of science inquiry in a primary school setting.
4. Structure, sequence, and assess medium and long-term science learning experiences across the primary school context that are reflective of the social constructivist view of learning.
5. Develop and evaluate teaching resources relevant for science in the primary school context.

Unit Content

1. Personal scientific literacy and understanding of science concepts.
2. Scientific literacy for active citizenship as the goal of science education in primary school context.
3. Science inquiry processes relevant to primary school contexts.
4. Teaching and learning theory and strategies appropriate for planning, delivering and assessing primary science.
5. Rationale, aim, scope and sequence of contemporary curriculum documents relevant for teaching science in primary school contexts.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, workshop activities, discussion, and/or online learning activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Skamp, K., & Preston, C. (2015). Teaching primary science constructively. (5th ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning Australia.
• Farrow, S. (2006). The really useful science book: A framework of knowledge for primary teachers. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
• Fitzgerald, A. (Ed.). (2013). Learning and teaching primary science. Port Melbourne, Australia: Cambridge University Press.
• Fleer, M., Jane, B., & Hardy, T. (2007). Science for children: Developing a personal approach to teaching. (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Education Australia.
• Fraser-Abder, P. (2011). Teaching budding scientists: Fostering scientific inquiry with diverse learners in grades 3-5. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Ltd.
• Loxley, P., Dawes, L., Nicholls, L., & Dore, B. (2013). Teaching primary science: Promoting enjoyment and developing understanding. (2nd ed.). Essex, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Ltd.
• Wenham, M., & Ovens, P. (2010). Understanding primary science. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

^ Mandatory reference

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