Teaching in Australian Schools
Overview
This unit provides pre-service teachers with an overview of the cultures and practices of primary schools in Australia – both government and independent schools. Pre-service teachers will become familiar with state and national curriculum documents and the contexts of learning in Australian schools. They will compare policies and practices within different states and other national systems. The teaching profession will also be examined, looking at the workforce and issues confronting the profession
Requisites
AND
237.7 credit points in BA-EDUPRI (1) Bachelor of Education (Primary)
27-October-2024
05-October-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Examine and critically evaluate policy and practice in government and independent schools
- Consider and compare state and national curriculum documentation
- Investigate and reflect upon the roles and responsibilities of teachers at various stages of the profession including an understanding of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
- Engage in collaborative professional learning and practice
- Critically consider issues confronting the teaching profession, including professional ethical and legislative responsibilities, working with parents and carers and engaging with professional and community networks
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
Live Online Lecture |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
On-campus Class |
3.00 | 8 weeks | 24 |
Specified Activities Various |
4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
Unspecified Activities Various |
5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
---|---|---|---|
Case Studies | Group | 40% | 3,4 |
Essay | Individual | 60% | 1,2,5 |
Content
- National and State Departments of Education
- Relevant national and/or state of territory curriculum
- National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
- Government vs independent schools
- Legal and ethical dimensions of teaching including the use of ICT
- Structure of the teaching profession (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership [AITSL])
- Teaching in multicultural Australia
- State and national polices on teaching practice
- Professional expectations of teachers
- Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.