Module ESCM004 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
ESCM004: Semi Specialist Science (Primary)
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
The module introduces you to current thinking in the teaching of Science and develops students’ pedagogic and academic subject knowledge in the wider field of Science education. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- education theories related to good science learning and teaching;
- practical experimentation and planning for School based learning;
- the selection and use of science published material; using current or controversial issues in science teaching, education for sustainable development;
- Forest school education for science teaching and also for cross-curricular links to other subjects;
- ‘Earth Walk’ and ‘Flow Learning’ techniques;
- the use of ICT to enhance scientific understanding, knowledge of the Early Years and KS3 curriculum
On the Primary PGCE, you will learn and reflect on the skills and knowledge required by the programme’s credit-bearing and non-credit bearing modules throughout the year. You will need to think about the modules in relation to each other. To facilitate this, the learning and teaching activities and guided independent study described below are scheduled to occur across all three terms both in the context of your university taught course and in the context of your 24 weeks of applied professional experience in schools.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
37 | 263 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 33 | Science Pedagogy & theory workshops; Peer Teaching and Subject Support Groups |
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 8 | Seminar days |
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 1 | Tutorials with academic tutor |
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 9 | Pathway acitivities |
Guided independent study | 40 | Reading set texts |
Guided Independent Study | 50 | Wider reading |
Guided Independent study | 22 | Web-based activities |
Guided Independent Study | 35 | |
Guided Independent Study | 12 | Peer-teaching activity preparation |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Learning support group preparation |
Guided Independent Study | 60 | Coursework assignment preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Web based and electronic resources: see PGCE Primary Science page on ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
*CPRT website: www.cprtrust.org.uk
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Reading task: Research paper critique | 1,000 words | 1, 10, 12-13 | Verbal (group tutorial) |
Written assignment: Literature review Using research, policy & theory to explore a question. | 1,500 words | 1-2, 6-12, 14 | Written feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written assignment: Research Based Enquiry | 100 | 5,000 words | 1-12, 14 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Written assignment: Research Based Enquiry | Written assignment: Research Based Enquiry (5,000 words) | 1-12, 14 | See notes below. |
Re-assessment notes
If a submitted assignment is deemed to be a Fail, you will be given feedback outlining what needs to be done to bring the assignment to a pass standard and one opportunity for resubmission will be allowed.
You can choose to resubmit a failed assignment ‘in year’ (i.e. before the final PGCE Assessment, Progression and Awarding Committee (APAC) in July). The resubmission would normally be made 4 weeks after receiving feedback on the first submission. Alternatively, you may opt to go to the PGCE Assessment, Progression and Awarding Committee with the fail mark. You will then be referred to the College level Assessment, Progression and Awarding Committee who will confirm the conditions for resubmission of the work. Normally the resubmission should be by 1st September. You should discuss these options with your tutor.
Note: if you choose the second option, the award of PGCE will be delayed until the Assessment, Progression and Awarding
Committee meeting following any successful resubmission (normally held in December).
If an assignment is deemed to be a Fail, the mark obtained on resubmission will be capped at 50%.