SEB300 Science and Mathematics Education Capstone
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | SEB300 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (CRB040 or EUB012) and SEB200 and (CRB215 or CRB204 or EUB221 or EUB224) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $555 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,324 |
| International unit fee | $4,296 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | SEB300 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (CRB040 or EUB012) and SEB200 and (CRB215 or CRB204 or EUB221 or EUB224) |
| Coordinator: | Les Dawes | l.dawes@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit provides more challenging opportunities for students to put into practice their learning on effective communication of scientific and mathematical concepts to different audiences. You will gain insights into how to gauge the audience's response to your teaching approach and how to redirect your teaching strategy as needed to improve learning outcomes. You will appreciate the many applications of good science and mathematics communication outside of teaching and will have opportunities to produce quality educational materials for different audiences that could be adopted for future use by the relevant organisation, business, educational body or research scientist. The unit is taken as the final unit in the science education minor.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Use verbal and written scientific communication to achieve clear and challenging learning goals deemed appropriate to the audience;
- Select, apply and reflect on relevant teaching strategies used to develop scientific or mathematical knowledge, problem solving and creative and critical thinking in an audience;
- Develop and use formative assessment tools to regularly appraise student learning and inform planning and delivery of a sequenced scientific or mathematical educational program;
- Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of modern scientific concepts or contemporary opinion through effective verbal and/or non-verbal communication.
Content
Knowledge and skills
- Effective verbal and written science communication targeting different audiences;
- Planning and implementing a well-structured learning program that engages the audience and promotes learning;
- Communication skills such as knowing and engaging your audience, understanding the power of language, questioning techniques;
- Breaking down complex scientific / mathematical concepts for more effective communication;
- Assessing and evaluating learning outcomes.
Examples of activities:
- Opportunities to develop written scientific education material for school or community use;
- Opportunities to identify your 'preferred teaching style' (=most effective communication method) through trialling multiple options in an educational setting;
- Opportunities to develop specific science content knowledge and understanding through preparing and delivering lectures/workshops at the secondary or tertiary level;
- Opportunities to engage with high school children, science teachers and science education students.
Reflective practice.
Learning Approaches
This unit is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and opportunities to be involved in the new Step Up STEM Studio teaching program. To achieve the best learning outcomes you will need to engage with the unit program and resources on a weekly basis. Collaborative approaches to learning are emphasised in class and online with opportunities for peer review and discussion.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises will be discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- criteria sheet grading
- feedback from peers, in-service teachers
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Formative assessment will be provided through multiple opportunities for reflection, discussion and feedback in workshop sessions and written comments on the initial assignment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project (applied)
Development of Education Materials
Design and produce two different sets of written educational materials to assist a client or partner organisation to communicate relevant scientific or mathematical concepts or applications to two different audiences. For example, student worksheets to complement a museum exhibit; teacher resources on behalf of an industry partner, or a community outreach brochure on behalf of an organisation.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Relates to learning outcomes
1, 4
Assessment: Demonstration
Teaching Activity
Planning, development, delivery and evaluation of an extended learning program.
For example:
- Extended science / mathematical activities for junior secondary children, aligned to the Australian Curriculum;
OR - A 2-3 hour professional development session for in-service science and mathematics teachers;
OR - Two sequential lectures on science or mathematics topics for pre-service science and mathematics teachers who will teach at the junior secondary level.
Relates to learning outcomes
1, 2, 3, 4
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Blue Card
A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.
Resources
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply. However you must be familiar with the procedures for the safe handling of science equipment and materials and if required are expected to complete a risk assessment form.