CQUniversity Unit Profile
EDCU14033 Geography
Geography
All details in this unit profile for EDCU14033 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit you will develop your professional knowledge and skills as a Geography educator. This involves interpreting and using relevant resources, including Geography curriculum, to extend your pedagogical content knowledge. You learn how Geography creates a bridge between the natural and social sciences. Your understanding of Geographical Inquiry as a key pedagogical approach to examine patterns and relationships within and between places is developed using integrative reflections to further improve both your teaching and student learning. The unit enhances your development as a beginning professional, and consolidates key aspects of your substantive professional knowledge, skills and dispositions.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: EDCU12039

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2020

Bundaberg
Mackay
Noosa
Online
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 50%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student evaluations

Feedback

More readings to use as references for the assessments would be beneficial

Recommendation

Provide more references and content in Moodle site relevant to assessment tasks.

Feedback from Student evaluations

Feedback

The overall layout of the online unit was hard to follow

Recommendation

Review the structure of the Moodle site.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate the potential of ICTs for expanding learning opportunities and promoting purposeful engagement with geographical concepts and inquiry processes
  2. Review practices used to develop and support the safe, responsible and ethical use of digital information, tools and resources
  3. Critically evaluate professional learning and engagement to improve practice in Geographical education
  4. Synthesise understandings of the knowledge, practice and dispositions of a Geography educator.

Successful completion of this unit provides opportunities for students to engage with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage) focus areas of:

2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area

2.2 Content selection and organisation

2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

3.4 Select and use resources

3.6 Evaluate and improve teaching programs

4.1 Support student participation

4.5 Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically

6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs

6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice

6.4 Apply professional learning and improve student learning

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Practical Assessment - 50%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical Assessment - 50%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences: History, Geography, Economics & Citizenship in the Australian Curriculum

Edition: 6th edn (2017)
Authors: Rob Gilbert & Brian Hoepper (Editors)
Cengage Learning Australia
South Melbourne South Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780170369350
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

This is that same text that was used for EDCU12041 and EDCU12042. Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Karena Menzie-Ballantyne Unit Coordinator
k.menzie-ballantyne@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

What is Geography?

Chapter

This unit uses chapters 4, 5, 8, 12 and 13 of the Gilbert and Hoepper Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences text used in EDCU12041 Sustainability through Active Citizenship and EDCU12042 History Curriculum and Pedagogy

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Geographic Knowledge and Understanding

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Geographical inquiry and inquiry skills

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Using ICTs in Geography

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Inclusive and collaborative practice in  Geography

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment task 1 due Friday


Using ICT in Geography Due: Vacation Week Monday (13 Apr 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

The role of a Geography educator

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Developing Geographical learning experiences

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Understanding fieldwork 

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Fieldwork in theory and practice (part 1)

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Fieldwork in theory and practice (part 2)

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Fieldwork - Working with primary data

Chapter

Specific readings on Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Unit review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment task 2 due Friday

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Understanding Fieldwork Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (8 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Using ICT in Geography

Task Description

For your assessments in this unit, you will be developing a Geographic inquiry that includes the use of ICTs and a field study. You will therefore need to identify an appropriate ‘place’ in your local area that would be suitable for a field excursion. It can be a natural or built environment.

The two assessments in this unit can be undertaken individually or in a pair. If you choose to work in a pair, you will receive the same grade for your assignments.

Your inquiry will follow the process outlined in the Inquiry and Skills strand of the HASS Curriculum. You have a choice to develop a Year 1 OR a Year 5 inquiry as follows:

Year 1: Key question: How can we care for places? Geographic concept: Environment

Knowledge and Understanding content descriptor: The natural, managed and constructed features of places, their location, how they change and how they can be cared for (ACHASSK031 - Scootle )

Year 5: Key question: How do people influence the human characteristics of places and the management of spaces within them? Geographic concept: Environment

Knowledge and Understanding content descriptor: The environmental and human influences on the location and characteristics of a place and the management of spaces within them (ACHASSK113 - Scootle )

Geography assessment 1

For this assignment, you will be examining appropriate ICTs to expand learning opportunities and promote engagement with the relevant Geographic content; the conceptual understanding of ‘environment’; as well as developing understanding of inquiry and fostering inquiry skills.

You will need to provide sufficient description (in words and/or pictures) of your ‘place’ to give the marker context.

You will need to find six ICTs that may be useful in promoting the knowledge and understanding and/or skills relevant to your inquiry. You will then use the decision-making matrix, provided on the Moodle site, to make a final selection of three. You will then justify your selection (1000 words), using appropriate academic literature, in terms of the ICTs’ ability to:

· enhance understanding of the relevant content and concept;
· develop relevant inquiry skills;
· support collaborative and inclusive classroom practice;
· as well as demonstrating your understanding of the safe and ethical use of online resources.


Assessment Due Date

Vacation Week Monday (13 Apr 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Tuesday (5 May 2020)

Feedback on this assessment will be provided in sufficient time to allow for academic support and advice as necessary to inform students’ responses to the next assessment task.


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

Appropriate selection of ICTs to build Geographic content and conceptual knowledge

Appropriate selection of ICTs to develop Geographic inquiry skills

Appropriate selection of ICTs for collaborative and inclusive classroom practice

Demonstrated understanding of the safe and ethical use of ICTs in classrooms

Appropriate use of discipline specific, academic language and APA referencing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the potential of ICTs for expanding learning opportunities and promoting purposeful engagement with geographical concepts and inquiry processes
  • Review practices used to develop and support the safe, responsible and ethical use of digital information, tools and resources


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Understanding Fieldwork

Task Description

You wish to undertake a field study excursion next term to your identified ‘place’ as part of the Geographic inquiry you developed in the last assignment. You need your Principal’s permission for this so will have to justify its relevance and logistics.

To do this, you will need to undertake the proposed excursion yourself and evaluate the planned activities in terms of:

· their relevance in promoting understanding of the relevant content and the conceptual understanding of ‘environment’;

· their ability to develop understanding of Geographic inquiry and inquiry skills;

· and considerations of the logistics of the excursion, including a risk assessment.

You will need to submit your email to the Principal (1500 words) seeking permission based on your evaluation, including contextual photographs and the risk assessment.

You will also need to attach a field study booklet, including activities that would be undertaken before, during, and after the excursion and a marking guide outlining appropriate responses to the activities.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (8 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback on this final assessment response will be provided following moderation and prior to the Date of Certification of Grades for the term


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

Demonstrated understanding of the use of fieldwork to develop Geographic content and conceptual knowledge

Demonstrated understanding of the use of fieldwork to develop understanding of Geographic inquiry and inquiry skills

Demonstrated understanding of safe and ethical practice in fieldwork

Appropriate choice of learning activities before, during and after the field study

Demonstrated understanding of the role of a Geography educator


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Review practices used to develop and support the safe, responsible and ethical use of digital information, tools and resources
  • Critically evaluate professional learning and engagement to improve practice in Geographical education
  • Synthesise understandings of the knowledge, practice and dispositions of a Geography educator.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?