Postgraduate - Edith Cowan University

EDU4230 10 Credit Points
Classroom Management and Instruction
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Effective classroom management is more than quick fix strategies
or a bag of tricks. It is a purposeful philosophical, ethical and
theoretical code of conduct. This unit aims to engage students in
reflecting on the assumptions they hold about students, the role of
the teacher and the level of control given to students. This
reflection is supported through an assessment of contemporary
theoretical models in dealing with classroom behaviour which will
enable the students to develop a personal management plan. The
unit is practical and will include skill development in effective
teaching strategies, connecting with youth, dealing with common
classroom misbehaviours, restorative processes as well as learning
how to de-escalate conflict. The unit is predicated on the belief
that all students have positive potential and no student is
‘disposable’.
EDU4231 10 Credit Points
Beginning Teaching: Theory and Practice
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit explores the theory and practice of teaching and learning
and how effective teachers plan to execute productive learning
events, including ways in which we assess learning outcomes. The
unit also aims to develop the prospective teacher’s skill as a
facilitator and decision-maker in the teaching learning process. It
assumes a model of the classroom teacher as a rational
autonomous educator able to make justifiable professional
decisions and to develop appropriate strategies for their
implementation. The unit focuses clearly on the development of
skills and strategies to facilitate the teaching and learning process.
It includes models of the teaching and learning process, teaching
skills and strategies, instructional media, theories of learning and
measurement and evaluation. Strong emphasis is placed on
relating these topics to current teaching practice in schools.
EDU4232 10 Credit Points
Teaching in Diverse Australian Schools
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
The unit examines a range of issues that may influence the
effectiveness of teachers and their work in Australian schools,
including school climate; school systems and policies; curriculum
reforms; how well schools respond to issues of equity, justice,
diversity; and, the economic, social, cultural and technological
changes that confront schools in society. In taking a broad view of
diversity and challenges confronting teachers and schools the unit
examines youth culture, ethnicity, social class and gender. Against
backdrop of change, the unit also examines some traditional
images of teaching and considers their appropriateness to
contemporary forms and knowledge of work. The unit also
reviews how teachers, as key contributors to the social institution
called ‘schooling,’ are intimately involved, not only in the
instruction and care of young people, but in the politics of
education – locally and globally.
EDU4233 10 Credit Points
Becoming an Exemplary Teacher
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit provides instruction and opportunity for reflection in a
variety of fields that are relevant to becoming an exemplary
teacher. The unit addresses a range of topics, including
functional, technical, audio-visual, media, social and cultural
literacies and associated technologies including computer-based
technologies. It also considers ways in which beginning teachers
can access ongoing Professional Development, mentoring and
other agencies to help them acquire skills necessary to become
exemplary teachers. The unit is also concerned with the critical
application of approaches to the processes of reviewing,
developing, and implementing educational resources. Students
will develop an understanding of, and competence in, the
application of technologies for the development of educational
resources including in the application of current thinking and
principles of instructional design.
EDU4255 15 Credit Points
Teaching for Effective Learning
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit is designed to help participants develop a better
understanding of the role of ediucation in the context of global
change, and of teaching being a process that facilitates student
learning. The unit addresses two central questions "What should
there students learn?" and "How will I help students learn this?"
To help develop this understanding, participants will work indepth
with key ideas drawn from phenomenographic studies of
learning and teaching, constructivist views of the learning process,
and student approaches to learning theory. Participants will also
focus on particular aspects of teaching and learning that meet their
own needs, the requirements of their teaching context and the
strategic initiatives of their organisations.
EDU4256 15 Credit Points
Assessment of Learning
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit is designed to help participants increase their
understanding of evaluation and assessment in tertiary educaiton.
The main focus is on the use of assessment to promote effective
student learning and also to provide a valid indication of learning
outcomes. To facilitate this, participants will work in depth with
the assessment implications of key ideas drawn from
phenomenographic studies of learning and teaching, constructivist
views of the learning process, and student approaches to learning
theory. They will also focus on particular aspects of assessment
that meet their own needs, the requirements of their teaching
context, and the strategic initiatives of their organisations.
EDU4257 15 Credit Points
Action Learning Project
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
In this unit participants will undertake a project that addresses a
significant teaching, learning or assessment matter associated with
their own classes or with the strategic initiatives of their school.
EDU4705 15 Credit Points
Education Studies 1
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit aims to heighten awareness of the teaching-learning
process and to develop skills as a facilitator and decision-maker. It
assumes a model of the classroom teacher as a rational
autonomous educator able to make justifiable professional
decisions and to develop appropriate strategies for the
implementation. The unit will allow participants to develop skills
in lesson planning, teaching, classroom management, instructional
media, learning theory and the application of educational theory in
decision-making.
EDU4706 15 Credit Points
Education Studies 2
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This core unit in education continues the themes of Education
Studies 1 with an increase in emphasis on managing the learning
environment. A systematic approach to the development of a
student centred learning environment, which caters for the diverse
nature of pupil characteristics, is promoted in this unit.
EDU5109 15 Credit Points
Research Methodology
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit provides a foundation for understanding research design
and methods in education. It focuses on a critique of educational
research across different paradigms and invites students to
develop a small-scale research project. Students will be made
aware of the variety of research orientations and theoretical
perspectives, with a particular focus on practitioner research
within educational settings.
234 ECU Postgraduate Course Guide 2008