Required texts

Skamp, K., & Preston C. (2021) Teaching Primary Science Constructively (7th Edition). Cengage Learning.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

All assessment items required to be submitted online must be submitted via the appropriate Canvas drop box. It is the student's responsibility to upload the correct and corresponding draft or assessment item to the right submission section. Assignments must be submitted in a format accessible to the assessor(s), as stated on the relevant canvas site. If the unit convener and/or tutor are unable to access a submission, a standard late penalty of 5% of the total marks possible for the task may be applied per day until the assignment is made accessible.

Approval of extenuating circumstances will be dependent upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener.

Special assessment requirements

An aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the unit. 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and 91Porn (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Indicative workload:

• attendance at weekly classes: 30 hours
• preparation for weekly classes: 40 hours
• other reading and assessment preparation: 80 hours

Inclusion and engagement

Students who need assistance in undertaking the unit because of disability or other circumstances should inform their Unit Convener or  as soon as possible so the necessary arrangements can be made.

Participation requirements

Attendance at all scheduled sessions in this unit is compulsory and absences could result in a fail. All absences need to be supported by appropriate documentation (e.g. medical certificate).

Successful engagement with all learning activities in this accredited Initial Teacher Education course is necessary to demonstrate that you have met the Graduate career stage of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL, 2011).

It is recognised that sometimes absence is unavoidable. If you are absent for more than two sessions, however, your engagement with the unit could be considered unsatisfactory.

Required IT skills

UC Entry level skills.

Work placement, internships or practicums

This is a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unit, and therefore additional student responsibilities are required in addition to those described in section 6.

School student and staff confidentiality must always be maintained (refer to policies on ATES - Professional Experience Handbook, ACT ED Teachers' Code of Professional Practice (or equivalent), and Student Conduct Rules), including for assessment items such as reports or essays. This applies to staff and patrons of any outside agency where an internship or other WIL activity is taking place. The professional nature of this unit also requires 100% participation in all learning activities (lectures, workshops, tutorials, practicals, etc. as scheduled – see section 3) for the successful completion of this unit (also see section 6c). If attendance requirements cannot be satisfied (e.g., timetable clash), it is recommended that you contact the Academic Programs Team to discuss rescheduling this unit.

As this is a professional experience/WIL unit students are required to undergo a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) background check to undertake a placement for the unit. Students are responsible for arranging their own checks through the ACT Office of Regulatory Services and should register as a volunteer. There is no cost for the application when doing so.

Additional information

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the unit Convener is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).

• Semester 1, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (219261)
• Semester 1, 2023, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (216008)