EDPROF 708 : Critical Literacy and Assessment

Education and Social Work

2025 Semester One (1253) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An exploration of the theory, research and issues for effective critical literacy pedagogy within multicultural environments. A critical investigation into assessment methodologies for socio-culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Focuses on developing effective language assessment practices and policies for learners from diverse backgrounds and in a variety of educational contexts, with specific focus on the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Course Overview

In this course, you will develop knowledge of effective practices and strategies, including ‘critical literacy’ approaches in the design and implementation of literacy programmes. You will also develop an understanding of current issues, debates, and key research in the field of language assessment and critically evaluate approaches to the assessment of learners from diverse language backgrounds.

Course Requirements

Restriction: EDPROFST 375, 378 To complete this course students must enrol in EDPROF 708 A and B, or EDPROF 708

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 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of current theories, concepts and models of literacy and their implications for diverse learners (Capability 3)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of current issues, debates and key research in the field of language assessment (Capability 4 and 5)
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of effective practices and strategies, including 'critical literacy' approaches in the design and implementation of literacy programmes (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Develop policy statements for the assessment of learners from diverse language backgrounds (Capability 1, 5, 6 and 8)
  5. Develop a range of assessment procedures for language and literacy (Capability 1, 3, 5 and 8)
  6. Describe and critique selected issues which affect literacy education in multicultural settings (Capability 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
  7. Describe and critically evaluate approaches to the assessment of learners from diverse language backgrounds (Capability 1, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 1 25% Individual Coursework
Presentation 1 10% Individual Coursework
Portfolio 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 2 25% Individual Coursework
Presentation 2 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Essay 1
Presentation 1
Portfolio
Essay 2
Presentation 2
Students must complete all components of the Assessment Tasks and achieve an overall course grade of at least 50% to be eligible for a pass. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30-point course. For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, and between 240-260 hours of reading, thinking about the content, and working on assignments.

Attendance in class, as well as engagement with course activities and readings is crucial for academic success. Therefore, students must make every effort to attend class and complete all the necessary in-class requirements.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled classes.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

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.
All specific learning resources for the course will be provided on Canvas.

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.

This course will be taught for the first time as a postgraduate level course. 

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 15/11/2024 11:55 a.m.