Program Overview

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EDET612 - Effective Teaching 2: Advanced Pedagogy and Leadership in Science Education

Unit Overview

This unit includes 15 days of professional experience placement with a specific focus on Science Education. It aims to prepare pre-service teachers to take on curriculum leadership roles in Science Education, contributing to improved teaching practice and student learning outcomes within their school communities.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The unit supports pre-service teachers in developing specialist expertise in Science Education, while also fostering their leadership capabilities. Through engagement with current literature and practitioner research, pre-service teachers will critically evaluate effective Science Education programs and practices.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, pre-service teachers will be able to:

• Investigate and synthesise contemporary theories and practices related to curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment particular to Science Education.
• Articulate an integrated understanding of processes for collecting, analysing, and moderating quantitative and qualitative assessment data.
• Critically analyse contemporary research evidence of the application of educational leadership approaches in Science Education.
• Synthesise and apply knowledge and instructional practices of the specialisation and effective professional learning.
• Implement and reflect critically upon planning, lesson sequencing, teaching, and assessment practices employed in the context of the Professional Experience learning environment.

Unit Content

Topics will include:

• Advanced Pedagogy: Examination of current literature and practitioner research to critically evaluate successful education programs in Science Education.
• Assessment: The role of assessment in the planning, teaching, learning, and evaluation cycle and improvement of teaching and learning.
• Teacher Leadership and Professional Development: Defining characteristics and actions involved in teacher leadership, and developing knowledge, skills, attributes, and strategies for effective leadership and advocacy.

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

A range of assessment procedures are used to meet the unit learning outcomes, develop graduate attributes, and align with professional standards and ACU assessment requirements. The assessment strategy focuses on deepening specialist knowledge and teacher leadership in the primary school context.

Assessments

• Assessment Task 1: Literature review and evaluative report on current research literature and practitioner research.
• Assessment Task 2: Pedagogical initiative, and vision and plan for teacher leadership for enhancing student learning.
• Hurdle Requirement 1: Preparation for the Professional Experience Placement.
• Hurdle Requirement 2: Professional Experience Assessment.

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit includes guided instruction, independent study, assessment preparation, and a 15-day professional experience placement. The teaching strategy objectives include:

• Specialist Expertise: Pre-service teachers deepen their knowledge of curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment through critical engagement with research and practice to improve learner outcomes.
• Leadership Development: Leadership concepts are explored alongside specialisation content through case studies of school-based change, particularly in disadvantaged contexts.
• Experiential, Self-Directed Learning: Grounded in adult learning theory, the unit blends guided and independent study to link research, best practice, and application in school settings.

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level

On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry-specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level standards.

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Core Content

On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry-specific knowledge based on the AITSL Core Content.

Representative Texts and References

• Required texts: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), and relevant State and Territory curriculum documents.
• Recommended references: Marzano, R., et al. (2016), Cleak, H., & Wilson, J. (2019), Day, C. (2017), Eacott, S., & Evers, C. (Eds.) (2016), and others.

Locations

• Melbourne
• Online
• Strathfield

Credit Points

10

Year

2026