Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EDUM039: Secondary Chemistry Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

The principal aims of the module are to:

• enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the background theory, issues and practice relating to current teaching of science in the secondary curriculum, with particular reference to the teaching of chemistry;

• support you to meet the Standards required for the award of Qualified Teacher Status and thus be in a very good position to gain employment as a science teacher able to specialize in chemistry; and

• nurture your development as a reflective and autonomous professional practitioner who is able to identify strengths and areas for development in your subject knowledge and pedagogy, through evaluating current professional practice in relationship to developments in research and curriculum theory.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. identify and evaluate educational concepts and issues related to the teaching of science, with particular reference to chemistry, and engage in critical debate about current educational issues in the teaching of these subjects drawing on evidence from theory, research and practice;
2. recognise pupils’ learning needs in science, with particular reference to chemistry, and interpret these learning needs in order to plan, teach, assess and evaluate lessons and schemes of work;
3. demonstrate confident academic and pedagogic subject knowledge to teach science to Key Stage 3 and chemistry to Key Stage 4 and beyond;
4. demonstrate secure understanding of the statutory requirements for teaching science;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. critically evaluate the relevance of educational theory to practice;
6. synthesise relevant educational literature in support of an argument;
7. use appropriate technologies for data handling and writing in education;
8. present data and findings in a form appropriate in educational studies;
9. use research data in support of an argument in education;
Personal and Key Skills10. manage your own learning development;
11. learn effectively and be aware of your own learning strategies;
12. express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes;
13. work productively in different kinds of teams (formal, informal, project based, committee based etc); and
14. think creatively about the main features of a given problem and develop strategies for its resolution.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Abrahams, I. (2010) Practical Work in Secondary Science: A minds-on approach. London: Continuum.

Bennett, J. (2004) Teaching and Learning Science: A guide to recent research and its applications. London: Continuum

Bishop, K. & Denley, P. (2007) Learning Science Teaching: Developing a professional knowledge base. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Frost, J. (ed) (2010) Learning to Teach Science in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience (3rd Edition). London: Routledge.

Hollins, M. (2010) ASE Guide to Secondary Science Education. Hatfield: ASE

Kind, V. and Kind, P.M. (2008) Teaching Secondary How Science Works. London: ASE/John Murray.

Kind, V. and Taber, K. (2005) Science: Teaching School Subjects 11-19. London: Routledge

Oversby, J. (2012) ASE Guide to Research in Science Education. Hatfield: ASE

Parkinson, J. (2002) Reflective Teaching of Science 11-18. London: Continuum

Pollard, A. (2008) Reflective Teaching: Evidence-informed Professional Practice (3rd Edition). London: Continuum

Pollard, A. (ed) (2002) Readings for Reflective Teaching. London: Continuum

Reiss, M. (ed) (2011) Teaching Secondary Biology (2nd Edition). London: ASE/Hodder

Reiss, M. (2000) Understanding Science Lessons. Buckingham, Open University Press

Sang, D. (Ed.) (2011) Teaching Secondary Physics (2nd Edition) London: Hodder Education

Sotto, E. (2007) When teaching becomes learning (2nd Edition). London: Continuum

Taber, K. (Ed) (2012) Teaching Secondary Chemistry (2nd Edition) London: Hodder Education

Wellington, J. and Ireson, G (2012) Science Learning, Science teaching. (3rd edition). London: Routledge

Williams, J.D (2011) How Science Works: Teaching and learning in the science classroom. London: Continuum.

Wilson, E. (2009) School-based Research: A Guide for Education Students. London: Sage

 

Web based and electronic resources: see PGCE Secondary Science page on ELE (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/