EDCU300 to EDCU703

EDCU300 Early Childhood Education 1                                                                                                 10 cp

This unit focuses on the nature of the curriculum in early childhood settings (ages 3-8), particularly on children’s learning in the preschool years. Perspectives and principles underlying contemporary approaches to quality early childhood education are considered in terms of developmentally appropriate practice and socio-cultural influences on learning. The foundation areas of learning, play and pedagogy are explored. This unit will build on and extend the student’s knowledge about child development, the sociology of childhood, and curriculum development.

EDCU301 Early Childhood Education 2                                                                                                 10 cp

This unit focuses on the early years of schooling. Students are provided with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the national, state and system policies that influence decision making in schools. Various policy documents that relate to the curriculum planning and assessment are examined and critically analysed against contemporary scholarly views on the components of a quality, inclusive curriculum and practices in schools and preschools. The need for teacher professionalism and accountability is emphasised.

EDCU407 Individually Prescribed Enrichment Study                                                                            10 cp

This is a student-initiated unit in the Learning and Teaching strand of the program. It enables a student to explore an area of curriculum design or an action research project in a teaching method/strategy or a classroom/school organizational issue related to teaching which is of particular interest to the student. The unit is implemented by a contract between the student and the Lecturer. A proposal containing appropriate learning experiences, investigations or development and culminating in an outcome that can be submitted for evaluation would be provided by the student.

EDCU412 Curriculum and Assessment/FXP                                                                                          10 cp

This unit which has campus-based and school-based components exposes the student to three broad areas relating to secondary school curriculum. Firstly, the pervasive influence of curriculum ideology on school curriculum is explored. Secondly, some approaches to the design of school-based curricula are presented. Thirdly, the purpose of assessment and the requirements of external agencies (eg Board of Senior Secondary School Studies) will be discussed. This unit will demonstrate to students that curriculum deliberation at the school and classroom levels cannot be divorced from the wider socio-political climate and the economic imperatives of contemporary Australian society. The school-based component consists of field experience in a partnership school.

EDCU413 Teaching and Curriculum 1A                                                                                                10 cp

This is the first semester unit in the first teaching and curriculum area of specialisation. In this unit, students will be introduced to the content and philosophy of current policies and guidelines in the curriculum area and acquire an overview of the current curriculum. Students will consider these documents and their implications for teaching and learning and apply these documents in school based curriculum development. Lesson planning and delivery skills will be introduced, discussed and developed. The integration of technology and the embedding of literacy and numeracy development in this curriculum area will be addressed. Special attention will be given to Queensland Studies Authority documents relating to the specific curriculum area.

EDCU414 Teaching and Curriculum 1B                                                                                                10 cp

This is the second semester unit in the first teaching and curriculum area of specialisation. In this unit, students will build upon and extend their work in the first semester unit. Students will continue to study curriculum documents and their implications for teaching and learning and apply these in school based curriculum development. Critical skills in the analysis and design of curriculum will be developed. Lesson planning and delivery skills will be further developed. The unit will assist students to implement teaching methods which facilitate learning and recognise the diverse needs of students. The analysis and development of assessment tasks and procedures that meet the diverse needs of learners will be considered. The integration of technology and the embedding of literacy and numeracy development in this curriculum area will be addressed. Special attention will be given to Queensland Studies Authority documents relating to the specific curriculum area.

EDCU415 Teaching and Curriculum 2A                                                                                                10 cp

This is the first semester unit in the second teaching and curriculum area of specialisation. In this unit, students will be introduced to the content and philosophy of current policies and guidelines in the curriculum area and acquire an overview of the current curriculum. Students will consider these documents and their implications for teaching and learning and apply these documents in school based curriculum development. Lesson planning and delivery skills will be introduced, discussed and developed. The integration of technology and the embedding of literacy and numeracy development in this curriculum area will be addressed. Special attention will be given to Queensland Studies Authority documents relating to the specific curriculum area.

EDCU416 Teaching and Curriculum 2B                                                                                                10 cp

This is the second semester unit in the second teaching and curriculum area of specialisation. In this unit, students will build upon and extend their work in the first semester unit. Students will continue to study curriculum documents and their implications for teaching and learning and apply these in school based curriculum development. Critical skills in the analysis and design of curriculum will be developed.

Lesson planning and delivery skills will be further developed. The unit will assist students to implement teaching methods which facilitate learning and recognise the diverse needs of students. The analysis and development of assessment tasks and procedures that meet the diverse needs of learners will be considered. The integration of technology and the embedding of literacy and numeracy development in this curriculum area will be addressed. Special attention will be given to Queensland Studies Authority documents relating to the specific curriculum area.

EDCU417 Curriculum and Assessment                                                                                                  10 cp

This unit exposes the student to important issues in secondary school curriculum deliberation. Students are challenged to consider the pervasive influence of curriculum ideology on school curriculum and some approaches to the design of school-based curricula and the forces that direct curriculum change. The fundamental nature of formative and summative assessment and characteristics of good assessment tasks will be discussed, purpose of assessment and the requirements of external agencies (e.g. relevant state authority) will be discussed. This unit will demonstrate to students that curriculum deliberation at the school and classroom levels cannot be divorced from the wider socio-political climate and the economic imperatives of contemporary Australian society.

EDCU418 Contemporary Issues in School Curriculum                                                                          10 cp

This unit exposes the student to a range of contemporary curriculum issues confronting beginning teachers in state secondary schools. General issues relating to the organisation of the formal school curriculum will be discussed. The unit has a focus on the reform agenda of the state government and its agencies. As this unit will focus on contemporary issues, it is expected that its content will be dynamic and change according to the latest initiatives of the government. The unit challenges students to apply content to their teaching and curriculum areas.

EDCU502 Curriculum and Instruction                                                                                                   10 cp

This unit has been designed to enhance students' understanding of the meaning and importance of curriculum. The course will introduce the students to the theory and the practical application of different curriculum models. Processes of situational analysis will help the students to understand the cultural implications in centrally and school-based curriculum development particularly in Pakistan. This unit also considers the processes of curriculum change and evaluation.

EDCU507 Curriculum and Assessment                                                                                                   10 cp

This unit exposes students to important issues in school curriculum deliberation. Students are challenged to consider the pervasive influence of curriculum ideology on school curriculum and some approaches to the design of school-based curricula and the forces that direct curriculum change. The fundamental nature of formative and summative assessment, characteristics of good assessment tasks, the purpose of assessment and the requirements of external agencies (eg relevant state authority) will be discussed. This unit will demonstrate to students that curriculum deliberation at the school and classroom levels cannot be divorced from the wider socio-political climate and the economic imperatives of contemporary Australian society.

EDCU508 Contemporary Issues in School Curriculum                                                                           10 cp

This unit exposes the student to a range of contemporary curriculum issues confronting beginning teachers in state schools. General issues relating to the organisation of the formal school curriculum will be discussed. The unit has a focus on the reform agenda of the relevant state government and its agencies. As this unit will focus on contemporary issues, it is expected that its content will be dynamic and change according to the latest initiatives of the government. The unit challenges students to apply relevant content to their teaching and curriculum areas.

EDCU603 Current Issues in Curriculum                                                                                                 10 cp

This unit explores current issues in curriculum and engages learners in discourse about their beliefs as curriculum writers, implementers and assessors. At a time of unprecedented change in all aspects of education, it is essential that postgraduate students in the field be given time to critically review recent educational events by the application of a considered approach to curriculum study. Curriculum has to be seen as maximising the intellectual, socio-cultural and economic growth of a nation and there has been a growing emphasis at a national level that schools have to play a key role in preparing their students for work.

EDCU607 Project                                                                                                                                  10 cp

The research project enables the students to undertake a practical study of an area of contemporary concern in the field of education. The project may be related to issues examined within other units of study or be an area of professional interest of the student. It may be undertaken in collaboration with other students and will be supervised by a member of the Faculty staff.

EDCU608 Special Study                                                                                                                       10 cp

This unit offers an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of an area of special interest which is not covered in available Master of Education units or which arises from a unit previously studied. It will allow students to develop skills of project design and analytical research and to integrate theory and practice in an independent or cooperative study.

EDCU609 Thesis (15,000 Words)                                                                                                            30 cp

Students are required to submit a written thesis which is normally not required to be more than 15,000 words. Supervision is provided by a Faculty staff member who assists the student in the preparation of the thesis. Students are encouraged to undertake the research as soon as possible, with a draft proposal of the topic to be completed by the end of the first semester of enrolment in this unit. The thesis is assessed by two examiners.

EDCU612 Independent Study 2                                                                                                             10 cp

This unit allows the student to be assigned a directed reading study, which explores a specific topic or an aspect of a subject at much greater depth. Individual contracts will be developed with a staff member for students approved to complete such a study. Paper will be prepared equivalent to 5,000 words.

EDCU614 Major Thesis MEd (F/T)                                                                                                          60 cp

Students are required to develop, under supervision, a major thesis on an approved topic.

EDCU615 Major Thesis MEd (P/T)                                                                                                         60 cp

Students are required to develop, under supervision, a major thesis on an approved topic.

EDCU619 Early Childhood Music Curriculum Studies                                                                           10 cp

Music makes an important contribution the quality of life both within and beyond educational settings. Teaches are able to facilitate this contribution by understanding how children examine, respond to and make music. In the early childhood years (0-7) in particular, the value of music education lies in the breadth of the experience that is offered and in the enjoyment that children drive from this experience. This unit is designed to assist teachers to implement developmentally appropriate music programs in early childhood settings and, through qualitatively significant experiences in the making of music, develop strategies for offering opportunities for maximizing young children’s musical potential.

EDCU701 Thesis – EdD (F/T)                                                                                                                 80 cp

A Doctor of Education Thesis relates in a practical way to the professional area in which the candidate has enrolled. Each doctoral student is required to submit for examination a thesis of 50,000 to 55,000 words that is the result of personal research, reflection and application. A thesis includes a literature review and a study of elements of the professional field with well substantiated documentation, and should provide a basis for effecting ongoing development in the student's professional education.

EDCU703 Thesis – EdD (P/T)                                                                                                                 80 cp

A Doctor of Education Dissertation relates in a practical way to the professional area in which the candidate has enrolled. Each doctoral student is required to submit for examination a thesis of 50,000 to 55,000 words that is the result of personal research, reflection and application. A thesis includes a literature review and a study of elements of the professional field with well substantiated documentation, and should provide a basis for effecting ongoing development in the student's professional education.