1997 QUT Handbook

■ MDB380 TECHNOLOGY & LIFE SCIENCE
The interaction of organisms and their physical environment;
the human influence in the biosphere; how technology empowers
communities to exploit and/or protect biological systems
and the integrity of the earth as humanity experiences it
today. This unit focuses on the use of instrumentation and
technology in the area of science research in the life sciences
and investigates how this technology can be adapted to practice
in primary classrooms.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB381 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN THE
COMMUNITY & WORKPLACE
Development of an awareness of how science and technology
pervade most aspects of our daily lives in communities and
workplaces. The implications of a rapidly changing scientific
and technological base of industry; increasing involvement of
the public in national and international decision-making; the
need for a scientifically literate society. Practical exercises
and projects are also undertaken.
Courses: ED54
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB382 PROBLEM SOLVING, CRITICAL
THINKING & FUTURING
Reviews state-of-the-art concepts and practices from problem
solving, critical thinking, and futuring knowledge bases
which have practical applications in the adult education and
human resource development field. Participants may enhance
their professional effectiveness in performing administrative,
instructional, and program development responsibilities
through modern practice.
Courses: ED54
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB383 USING INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CURRICULUM
Examination and analysis of relevant curriculum documents,
e.g. National Technology Statement, Queensland Education
Department. Guidelines for the Use of Computers in Learning,
curriculum developed as a result of the Wiltshire Report.
Content will include models for learning with information
technology; models for learning about information technology;
and managing information technology resources.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB384 SCIENCE EDUCATION
Science curriculum development and implementation will
examine the growth of children’s understandings of key concepts
in science. The development of their scientific thinking
and manipulative skills will also be investigated in conjunction
with this. Extended sequences of learning experiences,
or programs, will be planned and implemented.
Courses: ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB385 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN
EDUCATION
A critical reflection on the history of technological development
and the social impact of these developments combined
with issues relating to the uses of information technologies
in teaching and learning. Lecture sessions with workshop
and laboratory sessions will assist students to become competent
in applying information technologies to academic
tasks accessing electronic information sources, creating
documents, engaging in computer-based dialogues, analysing,
evaluating.
Courses: ED43, ED51, ED52
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB386 MATHEMATICS FOUNDATIONS
This unit will introduce prospective teachers in the primary
school to those elements that are important to mathematics
today. The unit will begin by exploring the ideas of mathematics
in today’s society. The unit will then look at the his-
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tory of mathematics relating to mathematics as it is presented
in modern day classrooms. The historical analysis will look
at the development of the structure of the unit. From this introduction,
the formal connections between the disciplines –
number, geometry and measurement – will be further analysed.
The students will see that mathematics is a discipline
with applications that are used today.
Courses: ED43, ED51, ED52
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB387 SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS
This unit will develop students’ understandings of fundamental
concepts related to natural and processed materials, energy,
change and growth. Students will also examine issues
such as the nature of science, the historical development of
major concepts of science, the development of communication
in science, and the relationship of science to society. Students
will engage in the processes of working through practical
hands-on activities, discussions and debates, and small
project work.
Courses: ED43, ED51, ED52
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB388 GAMING & CHANCE
Discover the world of probabilistic mathematics, gaming,
expectation and decision-making through games and activities
that have application in mathematics teaching.
Courses: ED52, ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB389 LIFE & LIVING PROCESSES
The interaction of organisms and their physical environment
will be investigated, in particular, the human influence on the
biosphere. The role of technology in empowering communities
to exploit and/or protect biological systems and the integrity
of the earth as humanity experiences it today will also be
studied. Energy and energy changes, energy resources and
the responsible use of those resources will be considered.
Courses: ED52, ED51 Prerequisites: MDB387
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB390 NATURAL & PROCESSED MATERIALS
This unit continues the development of students’ content
knowledge in science by examining a range of scientific concepts
that contribute to an understanding of science in a technological
context. The focus will be on the exploitation of
natural and processed materials and a consideration of the
environment and social costs and benefits associated with the
use of those materials.
Courses: ED52, ED51
Prerequisites: Life and Living Processes
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB391 EARTH & SPACE
The unit examines scientific concepts in important areas of
space, time and motion, the origin and history of earth and its
environments, and light and optics. Scientific principles and
techniques for observing space and earth phenomena will also
be investigated.
Courses: ED52, ED51 Prerequisites: MDB390
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB392 EDUCATIONAL COMPUTING
ENVIRONMENTS
An introduction to computer systems, including an understanding
of computer systems and networks used in education. The
focus will be on the technical management of personal and
networked systems commonly found in schools. Students will
use an appropriate educational programming language to apply
their understandings of computer systems to a practical
situation.
Courses: ED52, ED51
Credit Points: 12 Contact Hours: 3 per week
■ MDB393 NETWORKED COMMUNICATIONS
This unit examines how a number of computer-linked communities
can provide access to information and resources that
teachers may use both personally and professionally. Students