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| EDLT 485: Introduction |
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This unit is the first of two Learning and Teaching units which will introduce you to a range of factors that are important in learnig and teaching. The content is generic, which means it applies to all teachers and all learners (rather than, for example, just to maths teachers or primary students). One implication of this is that all of you will apply the content in different ways in your individaul teaching situations and indeed I hope that you will see clear links between this unit and your specific curriculum units. Strategies to promote effective learning are examined for both their practical relevance and theoretical purpose. An emphasis throughout the unit is on applying and practising these various strategies, which will enable you in turn to help your future students be active learners. I also see the unit as having a close link with your periods of practice teaching - you have a 'first go' in this unit before the 'real thing' during your practicum.
The University defines a 6-credit-point unit as equivalent to 150 hours of work. There are 13 teaching weeks in a semester. Allowing for another two weeks outside the teaching weeks, we assume you will habe approximately 15 weeks to spend working on this unit, or 10 hours a week. Obviously if you begin work before the start of semester or work through the break periods, you can make adjustments but 10 hours a week is a normal assumption. Sufficient unit materials are provided so the 10 hours can be spent reading, thinking and writing. (We would neve, however, discourage wider reading and for some topics you may fint it desirable.)
This Unit Outline does not contain a study guide telling you what to read each week. You all have different work commitments and study habits and it is expected that you will space out your reading and assignment preparation to suit your own timetable. Some of you will need much more time than others, beacuse of differences in your prior experiences, background knowledge, learning styles, motivation, health, and a multitude of other reasons. But be warned - student feedback in the past has consistently stated that the amount of work required was deceptive, that the assignments took much longer to do than appeared on initial reading. So start early! The first assignment deliberately has an early due date in order to encourage you not to procrastinate.
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