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Unit outline_

EDPE6013: Learning and Teaching Thinking Skills

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This core unit of study centres on examination and evaluation of a number of approaches to the development of higher order cognitive skills. Consideration will be given to the structuring of knowledge to facilitate explanation, problem-solving and creativity and to the use of internalised self-regulatory control strategies in fostering cognitive outcomes. Ways in which thinking and cognition can be supported and extended in educational contexts will be examined in some detail. Particular attention will be given to factors that influence thinking, the role of tools and technologies in facilitating thinking, and perspectives on thinking and cognition generated by contemporary research in cognitive science.

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 Paul Ginns, paul.ginns@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Paul Ginns, paul.ginns@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Essay
35% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation Presentation (multiple, continuous)
Presentation (multiple, continuous)
30% Multiple weeks 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Seminar discussion paper
Seminar discussion paper
35% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Seminar discussion paper: You will provide a cognitive load appraisal/load reduction appraisal of an approach, method or program centered on teaching thinking skills.
  • Seminar presentation: The goal of the presentation will be to teach your fellow students about your chosen topic, including a critical appraisal through the lens of cognitive load theory and/or load reduction instruction. 
  • Essay: Choose a different topic to your first assignment from the list of Assessment 1 topics. Review your chosen topic through the lens of cognitive load theory and/or load reduction instruction. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

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

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For each day or part-day an assignment is late, there will be a 5% penalty. If an assignment is more than 10 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to course. What is thinking? And do we really need to teach it? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Cognitive Load Theory - An Overview Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 The challenges of teaching problem solving Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Self-reflection activity Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Developing habits (or, thinking without thinking) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Teaching critical thinking Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Creativity: can it be taught? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Student seminar discussion sessions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. 

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. demonstrate an understanding of some of the theories surrounding the learning and teaching of thinking skills
  • LO2. align theories of learning and thinking skills with teaching, learning and assessment practices
  • LO3. reflect on the different approaches that can be used to optimise learning
  • LO4. demonstrate an ability to understand and integrate related topics in this unit
  • LO5. derive educational implications and applications from the theory and research presented in this unit
  • LO6. demonstrate competence in oral and written communication skills.

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.

I use the EDPE6013 Unit of Study Survey each year to evaluate students' experiences, and also use informal feedback from students. Please let me know if you've got suggestions for improvement!

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.