EDF1304: Understanding teaching for learning

Word count was 1600 words (give or take 10%). This is the same as the group presentation, however, it’s an essay and you’re required to be more in-depth with your critique and analysis. The Google doc from the group presentation comes in handy here, but do not copy word for word or chunks of anything you said or had on your slides. This is an individual essay, despite having done research and analysis as groups already, so plagiarism and collusion rules still apply. Again, a very straightforward essay, and very easy if you have solid notes from the group assignment.
My overall feelings about this unit are in line with my feelings about EDF1303.

I believe the time limit was 7 minutes, however, this seemed to be very dependent on who your tutor was, as some of my friends in other tutorial groups got 10 minutes maximum and 7 minutes minimum. There were 3 or 4 case studies in the form of videos that are posted onto Moodle, and each group picks one to analyse and critique the teaching methods used and how effective it was for learning based on a set of guiding questions. Minus having to organise time to meet with your group members, this is an easy assignment, and it was marked very leniently (a LOT of HDs were given out). I recommend creating a Google document as soon as possible for all the group members to edit and access, so all the information and research is in one place (this becomes relevant for the next assignment). The presentations happen during tutorials, so despite the tutorials having no attendance requirement, you should at least show up to all tutorials until the presentation due week is over.

Word count was 1600 words (give or take 10%). This essay involves exploring the definition of curriculum, and discussing a chosen curriculum/curricula (preferably relevant to your specialisation), summarising a chosen school’s philosophy, then linking the philosophy to the curriculum. This was a very odd task. A lot of people misunderstood the part where you had to pick a certain curriculum/curricula (it’s best to consult your tutor when you get up to this to really make it clear), and some struggled to find school philosophies that were dense enough to discuss and make links to. It’s generally a very straightforward essay in terms of content once you have an appropriate school philosophy. During one of the tutorials, there is time to get help depending on how far you are into the essay (similar to EDF1303).

1x Exploring and interpreting curriculum essay (40%)
1x Critiquing teaching and learning group presentation (20%)
1x Critiquing teaching and learning essay (40%)

If you want me to add something to this that I haven’t mentioned or what me to expand on something, pm me and I’ll try to edit it in or reply to you.

Lectures
Repeated from EDF1303 review
The lecturers are somewhat entertaining and try to keep the energy up with some interactive activities, however, it was a little annoying that not all the content would be sufficiently talked about simply because there was not enough time due to too much of it, or the lecturer taking up time with something else (e.g. anecdotes). Go to the first lecture or two, then decide if you’ll just watch the rest.

Tutorials
Tutorials are non-compulsory, but there is a group assignment which is presented in one of the tutorials. The groups are also made during one of the tutorials. As with EDF1303, tutors use a slideshow that has various activities on them that relate to the week’s content. The unit runs on a flipped classroom model, which means students are doing the majority of the work, whilst the tutor facilitates it and keeps everything moving.

Readings
Repeated from EDF1303 review
The readings start out short, but suddenly get very long. A majority of people didn’t really do the longer readings, including myself. I recommend just running over the lecture slides and noting down some of the main headings in the reading in your head, so that if you do go to the tutorials, you aren’t sitting there clueless.
Assessments

Dr Maria Gindidis and Dr Melissa Barnes are the main lecturers, but there are sometimes guest lecturers. There is 1 week where NEiTA teachers come in to give a QnA and demonstrations of their teaching style in tutorials.

n/a

2.5 out of 5

Yes, with screen capture

Gindidis, M., Phillipson, S., Pham, T., & Pruyn, M. (Comp.). (2016). Understanding Teaching for Learning. (Custom) (2nd Ed.). Pearson Australia (ISBN: 9781488616495).

That was the prescribed textbook. If you want to do well, it’s best to try and get a copy of the book somehow or borrow it when you need it. It’s quite helpful to use it as part of your references for the assignments.

1x 1-hour lecture, 1x 2-hour tutorial

2017, Semester 2

HD