1997 QUT Handbook

Courses: ED50, ED54 Prerequisites: MDB335
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB337 SCIENCE CURRICULUM STUDIES 1
The nature of the curriculum area/discipline and its role and
contribution as a medium for education; introduction to relevant
syllabuses and curriculum documents; lesson and curriculum
unit planning activities; and teaching strategies designed
to promote a range of learning experiences in selected
curriculum areas.
Courses: ED50, ED54
Prerequisites: Normally the completion of 48 credit points
in each relevant discipline area
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB338 SCIENCE CURRICULUM STUDIES 2
Curriculum development within the context of contemporary
policies, frameworks and agencies; general principles of measurement,
assessment and evaluation; teaching and learning
strategies; and issues and directions in curriculum development.
Courses: ED50, ED54 Prerequisites: MDB329
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB340 MATHEMATICS & TECHNOLOGY
EDUCATION
Builds on the understandings developed in MDB302 and
MDB339. Exploration of issues concerned with the teaching
of measurement and mathematical problem solving; investigation
of how information technology can be used to
facilitate the development of high-level learning skills in
mathematics and other areas in the primary school.
Courses: ED51 Prerequisites: MDB302, MDB339
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB341 SCIENCE EDUCATION
The role of particular psychological, developmental and sociological
approaches which play a significant role in science
curriculum and development. The process skills and manipulative
skills associated with science. Comparison of existing
approaches to teaching science. Science development associated
with mathematics and language development. Resources
for science education. Development and implementation of
units of work.
Courses: ED51 Prerequisites: MDB303
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB342 COMPUTERS IN THE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM
Designed to provide teachers with a framework for investigating
the present and future influence of computers on curriculum
development in educational institutions.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB343 DIAGNOSIS & REMEDIATION IN
MATHEMATICS
Overview of numerical and conceptual learning difficulties
in mathematics; learning experiences in various areas of
mathematics; utility of mathematics in real life situations;
examination of mathematics in other curriculum areas; learning
experiences in the integration of mathematical topics;
use of hand-held calculator and the computer as aids to conceptual
development and as practical tools; error analysis
and diagnostic inventories; remedial strategies.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB344 INITIATIVES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
Exploration of alternative practices in science education particularly
through the development of research-based project
work for children, the extended excursion or field trip and
involvement in community sponsored and/or related science
activities and events.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB345 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR
EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS
Algorithmic thinking and its implementation form a major
component within the Information Processing and Technology
syllabus now implemented in secondary schools. Prospective
teachers of courses such as these require a sound foundation
in the design and development of software along with the
use of modern abstract procedural, data and object handling
representations. Software design and development are closely
bound to particular problems contexts. This unit is based on
the design of educational software because this area is relevant
to the students concerned and because there is a clear
demand for such software. Students in this unit will employ a
range of powerful programming techniques and structures in
the development of educational computer software.
Courses: ED50 Prerequisites: CSB860
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB347 EXCURSIONS IN MATHEMATICS
An invitation to explore some interesting byways off the high
road of mathematics. Discover some intriguing diversions to
add quality to your lessons.
Courses: ED51, ED52
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB349 MATHEMATICAL REASONING
The concept of thinking and intelligence; the nature of mathematical
thinking during the first half of this century; modern
ideas on the nature of mathematical thinking; the thinking skills
movement and programs designed to foster thinking; analysis
of children’s thinking in solving mathematical problems;
analysis of students’ ‘everyday cognition’ together with their
thinking in mathematical situations.
Courses: ED51, ED52
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB375 COMPUTING TOOLS FOR TEACHERS
The use of writing and publishing software, graphics design
software, computer managed learning development tools, numerical
software tools, personal and project management tools,
communications technologies and computer peripherals used
in the production of computer generated materials.
Courses: ED50
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB377 PROJECT PLANNING & IMPLEMENTA-
TION FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
The study of computing and its application in educational and
other environments is very much associated with planned and
sequenced implementation of tasks. A study and understanding
of how tasks might be represented, sequenced and implemented
is essential if technology is to be used effectively in
education. The use of project work as a pedagogical technique
is a popular strategy to promote independent learning and student
autonomy. This unit provides students with a framework
to evaluate this methodology.
Courses: ED50 Prerequisites: MDB375
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB378 EARTH & SPACE
Examination of scientific concepts in important areas of space,
time and motion, the origin and history of earth and its environments.
Scientific principles and techniques for observing
space and earth phenomena are investigated. Strategies for
incorporating this knowledge in teaching settings.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB379 SCIENCE & SURVIVAL
Examination of a range of scientific concepts in the area of
matter and energy and how these concepts are applied in a
technological context. On a broader horizon, the scientific
principles underlying major innovations, disasters and controversial
issues are examined. Strategies for incorporating
this knowledge in a teaching situation.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
757
UNIT SYNOPSES