EDSE362 Assignment 1 FAQs
EDSE362 Assignment 1 FAQs
1. Assignment Expectations
Q: It's been a long time since I last submitted a University assignment. Do you have any hints about keeping on the right side of the marker?
A: Hint number one: Your assignment will be read on a computer screen, therefore please present it in landscape orientation, rather than in portrait orientation. Landscape is a better fit to a computer monitor screen, allowing a full page to be viewed more easily without scrolling up or down.
Further tips about assignment presentation are given below
2. Video example of how you might approach Task 1
Q: I am having difficulty getting my head around Task One in EDSE362. Can you please supply some clarification?
A: Dr John Kennedy (2019 EDSE362 Unit Co-ordinator) has put together this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=Dh1njLW0FLEDr. John explains:
Choosing and modifying experiments and investigations found in school science text books so that they are effective in the classroom is a bit of a black art. In this video, I explain for the benefit of students of EDSE362 2019, the thought processes that happen in a teacher's mind when choosing to use a particular resource.
This is a long video so for quick jumps use this:
3. Outcome from another KLA syllabus?
Q: Can outcome areas from other domains of the syllabus be used in part A?
A: Dr John Kennedy (2019 EDSE362 Unit Co-ordinator) responds:
Yes. It is perfectly acceptable for you to identify an outcome from another KLA syllabus (e.g. Mathematics or Design Technology) to beformallyaddressed by the "investigation"alongsideat least 2 or 3 outcomes from the Science Syllabus. However, this is not essential.
Furthermore, it would not be reasonable to expect that a single student learning experience would fully meet all aspects of a syllabus outcome. For example, many practicals would address SC4-WS7.1.a (Students process data and information by:summarising data from students own investigations and secondary sources) but few (if any) could legitimately say they have completed this outcome. It would therefore be advisable to indicate theextentto which a given outcome might be addressed by a particular task.
4. Use of own textbook
Q: May I use a task from one of my own text books or do I have to use the examples given?
A: For equity and to ensure the markers know the content of the assignment, the examples given have been provided to represent the a range of practicals from different key learning areas and fairly standard practicals that you will still see used in more modern texts.
Note:As the previous response to this FAQ said that you can use one from your own textbook, this will be accepted, however know that we would prefer you to choose both practicals from the examples given.
5. References
Q: I have engaged with the content for Topic 2 Part 2 for the critical evaluation section of the assignment. Are they the only relevant readings available on the site? I am trying to add references to this section but feel I have nothing relevant to add apart from the level of inquiry?
A:I would think that you would find some relevant references and points in "The Art of Teaching Science" and possibly from your notes from EDSE361?
You might also find some of the results of this searchhttps://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=engaging+students+in+scienceto be of some use in justifying the points you wish to make.
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Q:Do we useAPA (6th ed.) or the more recent APA (7th ed.)?
A:Please use APA 7th Edition. Guidelines are available athttps://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/321324/REF_APA_Referencing_7th_ed.pdf------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What is the minimum number of references to be included?
A: Remember with referencing that it is always about quality above quantity.Howyou use the references is most important. If you demonstrate that you have engaged with less readings in greater depth by paraphrasing and using the information intelligently to support your view, this is much more valuable than direct quotes that have little relevance to the content you are presenting.
That said, I know many of you will want a number, so consider that half a dozen references should be sufficient. These should include theNSW Science Years 7 - 10 Syllabus (2018) and / or theAustralian Curriculum: Science:
NSW Education Standards Authority. [NESA]. (2018).Science Years 710 Syllabus.https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/science/science-7-10-2018with the in-text reference(NSW Education Standards Authority [NESA], 2018)on the first mention, and(NESA, 2018)thereafter.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. [ACARA]. (2019).Australian Curriculum: Science. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/science/
with the in-text reference(Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2019)on the first mention, and(ACARA, 2019)thereafter.
It would be hoped that some inspiration may have been found from the Moodle site, with this included in the list of references:
University of New England. [UNE]. (2020).EDSE362 Science Education 7-10: Developing Professional Skills and Understanding. [Topic Notes]. https://moodle.une.edu.au/
with the in-text reference(University of New England [UNE], 2020)on the first mention, and(UNE, 2020)thereafter.
Those seeking a Distinction or High Distinction would be expected to include at least one reference they have found themselves on their own initiative, beyond those given on the EDSE362 Moodle site.
6. Word count
Q: How strict is the word count? Is +/- 10% allowed?
A: It is expected that you would write at least 1000 words and given this relatively small word count you can go to 1200 words with no impact on your result. However, going above 1200 words will have an impact on the academic skills criteria, as you can complete the task succinctly and completely with this word count as has been achieved in previous years.
Take heed however of this advice: "One of the hallmarks of good academic writing isbrevity. Don't waste your reader's time and patience with wasted words. However, ifbrevityinterferes with clarity, give preference to a clear statement of meaning."
Note: Part A (syllabus outcomes and content statements, Part C (Self-reflection), the reference list and the template words themselves of EDSE362 Assignment 1 do not contribute to the word count.