EDCURRIC 725 : Special Topic: Curriculum Changes in Aotearoa

Education and Social Work

2025 Semester Two (1255) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students will critically analyse the key changes to Te Mātaiaho which includes the Common Practice Model for Literacy, Communication, and Maths strategy. Emphasis will be placed on building a substantive knowledge base on changes to the structure of the curriculum and changes to the vision, progressions and learning strands developments and the potential impact on equity and inclusion for all ākonga. Examines the implications of these changes for different stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, students, parents and whānau in Aotearoa.

Course Overview

The Ministry of Education's refreshed curriculum Te Mātaiaho and other key policy documents e.g. Literacy and Communication and Maths strategy, have been released in phases since 2022. In 2024 an updated version of the English and Te Reo Rangitira curriculum for Years 1 to 6, and maths and pāngagrau for Years 0-8 were released. In this course you will engage in, identify, and examine what these new and refreshed key policy documents entail and how their content may contribute to educational outcomes for learners in Aotearoa. We will also examine how Mātauranga Māori has informed these curriculum documents. You will critically explore curriculum documents from international jurisdictions and compare and contrast changes. There will be opportunities to collaborate with others to design curriculum evaluation tools relevant to your own professional context/role. You will also seek community wide perspectives on the potential impacts of curriculum changes. This course is designed for educational professionals working with or in schools to address issues of curriculum implementation and policy linked to professional practice.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Education

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyse curriculum models (national and international) and evaluate key changes over time and potential impacts on varied stakeholders across educational sectors (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 8.2)
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of Mātauranga Māori concepts as they relate to the refreshed curriculum documents (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 3.1 and 8.3)
  3. Apply knowledge of critical self-reflection and feedback into the design of targeted curriculum reflection tools for educational contexts. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 and 8.3)
  4. Investigate and present on sector, community, collegial perspectives on curriculum changes, process of implementation, embedding, and enacting key curriculum changes into practice contexts and strategically plan a response to these findings (Capability 1.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 7.1 and 7.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Critical analysis of curriculum change 40% Individual Coursework
Designing tools 40% Individual Coursework
Presentation 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Critical analysis of curriculum change
Designing tools
Presentation
There are ongoing Discussion boards spread across the semester. The purpose of these boards is formative and to help scaffold thoughts and ideas on the two large assignments. These will also prepare you to complete the Final assessment that includes preparation of a context specific proposal for implementation. You will engage in provocations in these Discussion posts from a range of contributors to the Curriculum refresh writing teams and you can upload your own critical response in whichever mode you feel confident (audio, written, visual).
There are no marks attached to the posts but feedback to and from each other encouraged.
You must contribute to all of the Discussion boards in order to pass this course.

Next Offered

This course will be offered again in 2026.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Students can expect a dynamic and engaging learning environment where both in-person and online interactions are highly valued. We prioritise your input, encouraging active participation and collaboration. Our teaching methods are up-to-date, incorporating the latest educational research and technologies to enhance your learning experience. We are committed to culturally responsive teaching, ensuring that our curriculum and classroom practices respect and reflect the diverse backgrounds of all students. Additionally, our approach aligns with the Waipapa Taumata Rau's TeachWell framework and university standards, promoting inclusive and effective teaching strategies that support your academic and personal growth.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of delivery. You can reasonably expect to commit 200-240 hours  of independent learning. This may include reading (and more reading), thinking about the content, note taking, face to face on online discussions (synchronous and asynchronous), writing (and more writing) problem solving, seeking solutions, interviewing, reflecting on learning, accessing learning and study resources, assignment preparation and completion.  

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance on campus is expected at the start of the course which will include 2 full days of scheduled in person activities. These are  delivered as tutorials that are intended to introduce you to the key components of the course and will introduce you to all of the assessments. These first 2 in person full days of learning activities will not be available as recordings. 

Online

Attendance is expected at all online, synchronous lectures which are scheduled over the Semester and will be available as recordings.  You are expected to attend these online lectures so that you are able to successfully complete all components and requirements of the course.

Attendance on campus may be required for the final assessment which includes a presentation. 

General course content material will be available at course commencement. Modules will be released progressively throughout the course.

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

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.

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.

 EDCURRIC 725 is offered for the first time in 2025.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, 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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 12/11/2024 05:07 p.m.