Postgraduate - Edith Cowan University

EDU5121 15 Credit Points
Professional Learning 1
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
The unit requires students' commitment to and documentation of
reflective practice in their context as evidence of successful
implementation of professional learning activities. Professional
development themes are explored through participation in
workshops, seminars and other professional learning programs.
Completion of a reflective journal and assignments/papers related
to the themes consolidate learning during the semester. Students
and faculty will consult to design/select a coherent set of
professional learning experiences to meet the students'
professional and academic needs and the academic rigour of
postgraduate study.
EDU5155 15 Credit Points
Teaching for Effective Learning
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit is designed to help participants develop a better
understanding of teaching being a process that facilitates student
learning. That is, the main instructional question is “How will I
help students learn this?” rather than “How will I teach this to
students?” To help develop this understanding, participants will
work in depth with 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 teaching and learning that
meet their own needs, the requirements of their teaching context,
and the strategic initiatives of their school.
EDU5156 15 Credit Points
Assessment of Learning
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
The main focus of this unit is to help participants increase their
understanding of how assessment can be used to promote
effective student learning and also 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 school.
EDU5157 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.
EDU5174 15 Credit Points
Instructional Design for Special Education
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit requires advanced study of instructional design to cater
for the needs of students with disabilities. An emphasis will be on
selecting effective teaching approaches that cater for students
either within the regular classroom or within a special education
facility. The main focus of the unit is the identification of the
principles of effective instructional design and the evaluation of
materials in classrooms against ths best practice criteria. Students
will also be encouraged ti monitor their own understanding and
learning strategies against those behaviours described in the
research as belonging to 'effective learners'.
EDU5222 15 Credit Points
Professional Learning 2
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
EDU5121 Professional Learning 1
The unit requires students' commitment to and documentation of
reflective practice and action research in their context as evidence
of successful implementation of professional learning activities.
Professional development themes are explored through
participation in workshops, seminars and other professional
learning programs. Completion of a reflective journal and
assignments/papers related to the themes consolidate learning
during the semester. Students and faculty will consult to
design/select a coherent set of professional learning experiences to
meet the students' professional and academic needs and the
academic rigour of postgraduate study.
EDU5373 15 Credit Points
Foundation Studies and Current Issues in Special Education
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Current social, ethical and pedagogical issues and controversies in
the field of special education will be examined. A range of
policies in respect to the delivery of services to children with
special needs in regular and special schools will be analysed in
detail. Attention will be given to controversies about
methodologies and instructional strategies in the field. The factors
that make for successful inclusion of students with disabilities will
also be discussed. Implications for the administration of special
education services will be examined. Research design issues in the
field will also be addressed.
EDU5477 15 Credit Points
Direct Instruction and Teaching Effectiveness in Special
Education
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit reviews research into the effective teaching of language,
reading, maths and spelling to children with special needs. Topics
include Direct Instruction methods, task analysis of skills and
assessment procedures. It also focuses on techniques used to
modify the curriculum to cater for the learning needs of children
with learning disabilities or learning difficulties in regular
schools. A strong emphasis is placed on Direct Instruction
techniques.
EDU5584 15 Credit Points
Strategies for Learning Difficulties
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit will consider educational issues for students with
learning difficulties together with identifying the characteristics of
students at risk. The emphasis will be on assessment, planning,
organisation, management, and teaching of students with learning
difficulties within the regular classroom. A critical analysis of
effective teaching strategies and the identification of current
trends in educating students with learning difficulties will be
undertaken. Policy and service delivery to children with learning
difficulties will be reviewed. The process of developing a whole
school support program for students at educational risk and
working collaboratively with school staff, parents and peripatetic
staff to implement appropriate models of support will be
investigated. The unit has a strong practical component and
students will be given the opportunity to apply diagnostic and
remedial techniques and to differentiate the curriculum to
accommodate the needs of individual students within the regular
classroom.
EDU5700 15 Credit Points
Curriculum Theory and Practice
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit is a blend of curriculum theory and practice. An
understanding of both is necessary to make sense out of basic
curriculum relationships and to establish a framework to place
specific instances in perspective. Basic principles of curriculum
are included, to be applied, and adapted if necessary, to a variety
of settings. General principles and models of curriculum
development are included. The application of these principles and
models will be investigated with reference to local, national and
international settings.
EDU6188 15 Credit Points
Independent Study
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
These units involve the independent study of a selected topic of
interest. These units are designed to extend the students’
understanding on a specified field of inquiry. The outcomes of the
unit will be jointly determined by the student and mentor and/or
coordinator. Completion of a range of tasks are possible
ECU Postgraduate Course Guide 2008 235