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Unit outline_

EDPC5023: Innovations in Learning Tech and Practice

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal evening] - Remote

This unit explores how new views of learning and pedagogical practices interact and co-evolve with technological inventions and innovations in formal and informal learning settings. Course readings cover emerging theoretical and empirical research in the field of the learning sciences related to how people learn, how to teach, and how to assess higher order knowledge, skills, and dispositions, as well as recent technological developments such as virtual worlds and game environments, 3D computational modeling and visualization tools, mobile communication devices, and "Web 2.0" systems that are increasingly being augmented with intelligent agents and semantic web functionalities. A central themes of this course include how theoretical and research perspectives are used to ground new types of learning and teaching experiences enabled by advanced and emerging technologies, which in turn have the potential to better prepare students for the significant challenges and rapid changes of this century.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael J Jacobson, michael.jacobson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Michael J Jacobson, michael.jacobson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Consulting Report
In class presentation and written paper in the form of a consulting report.
50% Formal exam period 3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Wiki on an Emerging Technology for Learning
Create a WIKI focusing on an emerging area of educational technology.
25% Week 04
Due date: 28 Aug 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Written Essay
Contrast and compare written essay
25% Week 07
Due date: 18 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • 1500 word Wiki on an emerging technology for learning of the students choice
  • 1500 word essay contrasting and comparing two journal articles
  • 3000 words including an in class presentation of 8 minutes and a written paper in the style of a consulting report about learning sciences based ed tech

Assessment criteria

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit, to the learning sciences, and to innovations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Learning Sciences Foundations: Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Learning Sciences Foundations: Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Simulations and modelling tools for learning Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Augmented reality with mobile devices Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Virtual learning environments and serious games – Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 Virtual learning environments and serious games – Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Artificial intelligence in education Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Learning analytics; Machine learning; Distance and online education; Hybrid and hyflex learning Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Past and present trends in innovative learning technologies; Issues in scaling innovations; Theoretical, methodological, & research issues Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand how new views of learning and pedagogical practices interact and co-evolve with technological inventions and innovations in formal and informal learning settings.
  • LO2. Understand emerging theoretical and empirical research in the field of the learning sciences related to how people learn, how to teach, and how to assess higher order knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
  • LO3. Understand recent technological developments such as virtual worlds and game environments, 3D computational modeling and visualization tools, mobile communication devices, and "Web 2.0" systems that are increasingly being augmented with AI (artificial intelligence) functionalities.
  • LO4. Understand theoretical and research perspectives being used to ground new types of learning and teaching experiences enabled by advanced and emerging technologies to better prepare students for the significant challenges and rapid changes of this century.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.