Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EDUM048: Secondary Physics Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The principal aims of the module are to:

•      enable you to gain a comprehensive and up to date 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 physics;

•      support you to meet the Standards required for the award of Qualified Teacher Status; 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 educational 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 science education;
2. recognise pupils’ learning needs in secondary science and interpret these learning needs in order to plan, teach, assess and evaluate lessons and schemes of work;
3. demonstrate secure subject content knowledge and pedagogic subject knowledge in secondary science at key stage 3 and physics at key stage 4-5;
4. demonstrate secure understanding of the requirements of the National Curriculum for secondary 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

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 (2 nd Edition). London: ASE/Hodder

Reiss, M. (2000) Understanding Science Lessons. Buckingham, Open University Press 
Sang, D. (Ed.) (2011) Teaching Secondary Physics (2 nd 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

Toplis, R. (Ed) (2015) Learning to Teach Science in the Secondary School (4th edition) (London: Routledge)

Wellington, J. and Ireson, G (2012) Science Learning, Science teaching. (3 rd 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