EDCURRIC 623 : Investigation and Exploration

Education and Social Work

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Critically examines curriculum approaches that promote children's exploration and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Key concepts, processes and pedagogies relating to these disciplines are considered. Explores children’s learning through play and a holistic understanding of infants, toddlers and young children.

Course Overview

As children explore their worlds they investigate, experiment, make discoveries and connections, design, create, innovate, and problem-solve. Students will gain an insight into teaching and learning STEM from a practical and theoretical perspective which empowers them to be confident and capable advocates for children’s working theories. In this course, we will examine STEM as an integrated approach to children's inquiry and consider our  funds of knowledge as kaiako in fostering and supporting children's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning through a play-based approach, relational pedagogy, and thoughtful culturally responsive practices.

Throughout this course you will be encouraged to notice, recognise, and respond intentionally to children's STEM learning in authentic contexts. Hands-on experience is central to STEM learning, therefore enjoyable practical experiences will be integrated throughout the course. These will be designed to give you opportunities to develop content knowledge and practical skills related to inquiry, problem-solving, and design thinking that can be applied to your day-to-day practice with children.  

Course Requirements

Restriction: EDCURRIC 635

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Articulate and critically examine science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in the curriculum. (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2 and 7.2)
  2. Identify and articulate key concepts and processes related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2 and 7.2)
  3. Critically examine teaching and learning approaches that promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the early years. (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2 and 7.2)
  4. Apply and critically analyse pedagogies, including digital ones, that promote children’s play and holistic learning through these disciplines (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2 and 7.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 50% Individual Coursework
Coursework 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Coursework
Coursework

To pass this course you need to submit all assessments and achieve at least 50% for the course overall

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect on-campus classes, hours of reading and thinking about the content and work/preparation on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

The course is scheduled to be taught in-person/on campus over nine weeks of the semester.

Classes in this course are scheduled as timetabled and include one three hour class each week. 

Classes may be available as recording unless their format/content is not suitable for recording.

Attendance is expected at timetabled classes to complete components of the course.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A Talis reading list for the course will be available for students.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student feedback from their 2023 year will be thoughtfully considered and integrated into the 2024, with continual informal feedback between students and the course instructor shaping delivery during the semester in real time.

Other Information

  • Students are encouraged to be proactive in discussing their wellbeing, and any additional support they need, so that the course instructor can offer assistance in a timely and appropriate manner.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 12:36 p.m.