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Cross-curriculum units of study

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EDBT5501 Information Technology in Education

EDBT5501 Information Technology in Education unit of study outline

All 1st year candidates enrol in Information Technology in Education, which addresses issues in ITC relevant to teachers.

Candidates who have completed university studies in Information Technology subjects may apply for exemptions from those aspects of the course unit in which they have achieved the competencies addressed in this course unit. Applications should be directed to the ITE coordinator.

EDBT5601 Professional Studies 1 (Options)

EDBT5601 Professional Studies 1 (Options) unit of study outline

The secondary program 'Options' course unit in semester 1 of 1st Year will consist of two components:

  • a compulsory series of lectures (and associated on-line coursework) on Literacy Across the Curriculum.
  • a choice of one 'Option' from those below:

Options choices
Students must select one of the available Options from those below and submit a proposal on the form provided to the Options coordinator.

The Options for 2009 are the following:

  1. External short course
    Students may propose to enrol in a course at an accredited education institution (e.g. at a TAFE or community college) which provides skills directly relevant to teaching in your curriculum area. An ISR proposal must be submitted to the Options coordinator for approval (see below).
  2. ISR Option: Independent Study and Report on a Professional Development or Community Service activity
    Students can propose to undertake and report on a professional development activity that is directly related to the enhancement of knowledge, understanding and/or skills which are directly relevant to teaching in the secondary school. This activity (a minimum of 8 hours) may be one of the following, and is subject to the approval of the Options coordinator:
  • attend and participate in an all-day conference for teachers (or an equivalent amount of time in part-day conferences or workshops);
  • undertake community service work in an educational institution/organisation that supports school student's learning in your subject discipline (e.g. the University Union 'homework help' School Tutoring Program (contact Access Centre in Manning for details), the refuge and migrant student homework support program at Fairfield Migrant Resource Centre, the homework support program at Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency; volunteer work at a museum, field study centre, art gallery, a zoo, drama/theatre education group etc.)
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ISR Professional Development Options

For students choosing to do an ISR Option or external short course, a written proposal must be submitted to the Options Coordinator on the EDBT5601/5600 Options proposal form (emails will NOT be accepted). The proposal must contain all of the following elements (see the 'ISR Option Proposal' form below):

  1. your name, SID, MyUni email and curriculum areas
  2. a brief description of the nature of the activity
  3. a justification and rationale for the activity in the context of preparation to teach in your specific subject areas
  4. a list of the intended outcomes of the activity
  5. an indication of the date, time and place(s) that the activity will be undertaken.

EDBT5601 Some possible Service Learning & Professional development activities (PDF)

Note the following exclusions:

  • Paid work is not an approved 'community service activity'.
  • Private tutoring is not an approved 'community service activity'.
  • Any other kind of community work will not be approved as an Options proposal unless it is undertaken with an approved educational institution or organisation, is directly related to your enrolled subject specialisation, and can be justified by direct reference to the NSW syllabus and/or policy documents. Thus sunday school, bible study camp or other sectarian activities will not qualify, as Religious Studies is not an enrolled curriculum area in the MTeach/BTeach program.

Download an ISR Option Proposal Form
Download the ISR proposal form and submit it to the Options Coordinator by 14th March. Place submissions in the coordinator's assignment box (on level 4 under the MTeach Noticeboard). Do not submit by email. Please note that credit for activities already undertaken prior to enrolment will not be approved.

Proof of participation in Options activity
In submitting the report on the activities undertaken to meet the requirements for EDBT5601/5600 students must attach proof of completion of the activity, which can comprise either of the following:

  • a copy of any certificate or statement of attendance/participation issued by the organisation running the activity (e.g. conference registration, short course enrolment invoice, testamur or certificate);
  • a Professional Development and Community Service Learning Activity form (PDF) completed by someone who has organised, supervised or overseen your community service/professional learning activity.

ISR and Beyond the Line Option Report
Students doing an approved ISR community service or professional development option (including Beyond the Line) must write a 1000-word report on their activity. Details are given on the following:

EDBT5601/EDBT5600 ISR Option Report

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Beyond the Line Excursions to western NSW schools (BTL Option)

As part of the Secondary Options program students may elect to participate in the NSW Department of Education and Training's Beyond the Line program. This program involves an excursion for several days to a remote region in NSW. It gives students a taste of teaching and living in rural NSW, provides a snapshot of a rural teacher’s life, first-hand experience of country hospitality and the chance to discover more about country areas that hold the greatest number of employment opportunities.

This is what one MTeach student wrote in thanks to the BTL organiser after his BTL experiences:

"It was a wonderful experience and my estimation of the DET and its programmes, public teaching in general, regional teaching, Aboriginal students, and of course teaching personnel has risen hugely. Further, the experience has extended the aim of the programme by motivating me to explore teaching opportunities further afield, including regional NSW, the Pacific (e.g. Samoa), and of course within less affluent areas of Greater Sydney.

Finally and on a more personal and philosophical note, my commitment to the welfare aspect of teaching - as witnessed by the provision of extremely high quality teaching and student welfare services, such as Primary Connect, Schools as Community Centres, and Circus Skills - has risen; and I am reminded of the value and quality of the diverse and creative education (and teacher career) opportunities in the public sector."

More information on Beyond the Line program can be found at theTeach.NSW website.

In 2009 the BTL excursions for MTeach students will be as follows:

  1. semester 1- from 29 June - 3 July (Inverell/Glen Innes)
  2. semester 2 - from 23 - 27 November (Griffith/Yanco/Leeton).

Quotas will apply and selection will be made by the university in consultation with the DET. Applicants must complete the DET applicatoin form (in the Prac Lounge on the Moodle.edfac website)

As with other ISR options, Beyond the Line candidates should submit an SR option proposal and a report as their assignment (see "EDBT5601/5600 Option Report" in the previous section).

EDBT5600 Professsional Studies 2 (Options)

EDBT5600 Professional Studies 2 (Options) unit of study outline

All teachers have a duty of care for children that includes awareness of health and child safety issues, and the knowledge and skills to deal with health emergencies. The focus of EDBT5600 is on the role of health and sport issues in schools. This unit of study consists of two components:

  • a compulsory series of lectures
  • completion of an approved First Aid course (as required for registration as a teacher in NSW) OR an ISR Option for those with a current 1st Aid certificate (appropriate for teachers)

Senior First Aid Certificate
All teachers are required to have a current Senior 1st Aid Certificate. By the end of 2nd semester students enrolled in EDBT5601 must provide a certified copy of a current Senior 1st Aid Certificate. This should be attached to the faculty's Assignment Cover Sheet and submitted to the Options coordinator by the end of semester 2 (the due date is given in the unit of study outline).

ISR Option - alternative to Senior First Aid Certificate
Students with a current Senior First Aid Certificate may choose either to renew it (providing documentation as above) or complete an approved Independent Study and Report (ISR) Option - an ISR proposal must be submitted to the coordinator and be approved, as for EDBT5601 - see above.

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EDBT6125 Special Education: Inclusive Schools

EDBT6125 Special Education: Inclusive Schools unit of study outline

All 2nd year candidates enrol in the compulsory unit EDBT6125 which will comprise:

  • a 15-hour fieldwork component in an approved institution or workplace working with children with special educational needs (arranged by the student). Information on this is available from the coordinator.
  • 6 x 1hr lectures in Phase 4 (weeks 1 - 6)
  • 6 x 1hr tutorials in Phase 4 (weeks 1 - 6)

For details, course outline and tutorial registration see the Special Education Coordinator A/Prof David Evans.