James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

ED2492 - Junior Secondary Curriculum 1

Subject Description

The focus of this subject is the junior secondary context (Years 7-10) of pre-service teachers' first teaching area. This subject includes critical investigation of the rationale for a selected teaching area, the nature and design of the Australian Curriculum in this area, and specific teaching models, strategies (including ICT use) and resources, with particular reference to the Australian Curriculum. These will be contextualised within the fundamentals of curriculum design, with a focus on constructive alignment of content, pedagogy and assessment to meet the needs of diverse learners. The subject develops pre-service teachers' competence in planning, implementing, evaluating and reflecting in their junior secondary area of teaching, and builds a repertoire of strategies informed by learning theories and scholarship. There is also an emphasis on authentic professional practice to develop pedagogical content knowledge through performance-based assessment and engagement with the profession. To complement and enhance curriculum development, a core strand of the subject focuses on ICT as a General Capability across the secondary curriculum. This subject includes an embedded 10-day Professional Experience placement to enable observation, reflection and practical implementation of the learning(s) in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• 2. demonstrate a repertoire of teaching strategies in their teaching areas including strategies for teaching literacy, numeracy and the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT across the curriculum and classroom situations
• 3. identify strategies to seek and apply constructive feedback from peers and teachers to improve teaching practices
• 6. demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the contributions ICT can make in supporting a range of differentiated learning opportunities for diverse students
• 4. apply curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to plan a learning sequence that includes a range of effective teaching strategies and resources, including ICT, to cater for diverse learners
• 5. develop knowledge of a range of issues that impact on teaching and learning in junior secondary contexts including relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes
• 1. apply knowledge of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of a secondary teaching area (Years 7-10)

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (15%) - Individual
• Written > Learning plan - (55%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Portfolio - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Complete consecutive 10 day Placement, submit a Satisfactory grading - Minimum Developing Adequately in all descriptors on the Professional Experience is required to pass the subject. Attendance at Professional Experience Workshops meets placement requirement procedures of the Work Integrated Learning Program. If repeating the subject, the reattempt at all subject assessments including the Placement is a requirement.

Availabilities