Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EDUM039: Secondary Chemistry Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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 chemistry;

•      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 chemistry 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, etc);
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.

Alsop, S., Bencze, L. & Pedretti, E. (2005) Analysing exemplary science teaching: theoretical lenses and a spectrum of possibilities for practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

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

Driver, R. (2015) Making sense of secondary science: research into children's ideas. Abingdon: Routledge.

Jones, A., Reed, R. & Weyers, J. (2012) Practical Skills in Biology. Harlow: Pearson. Kind, V. and Taber, K. (2005) Science: Teaching School Subjects 11-19. London: Routledge

Kulgemeyer, C. (2018). Towards a framework for effective instructional explanations in science teaching. Studies in Science Education, 54(2), 109-139.

Liversidge, T. (2009) Teaching Science: Developing as a Reflective Secondary Teacher. London: Sage.

Millar, R. (2005) Teaching about energy. University of York.

Nott, M., & Wellington, J. (1993). Your nature of science profile: an activity for science teachers. School Science Review, 75, 109-109.

Osborne, J. & Dillon, J. (2010) Good practice in science teaching: what research has to say. (2nd Edition). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Ratcliffe, M. & Grace, M. (2003) Science education for citizenship: teaching socio-scientific issues. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

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 (2018) Science Learning, Science teaching. (4th edition). London: Routledge