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Unit outline_

EDPJ5020: Literacy and Language Teaching

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

In this unit, literacy and its relationship to English language teaching are examined from different perspectives. Reading, writing and the teaching of these in the English language classroom are examined in detail. However, the unit goes further than viewing literacy as only being about reading and writing. In an age of increasingly sophisticated information technologies and the spread of English as a global language, ideas about literacy have changed rapidly, and these changes have consequences for language teaching. The unit takes up-to-date ideas about what multilingual literacy involves and looks at how these ideas and issues are relevant to English language teaching. In particular, the unit has a focus on the use of technology to develop English learners' literacy.

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 Marie Stevenson, marie.stevenson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Marie Stevenson, marie.stevenson@sydney.edu.au
Xuqi Ouyang, daniel.ouyang@sydney.edu.au
Victoria Sweeney, victoria.sweeney@sydney.edu.au
Gerald McRae, gerald.mcrae@sydney.edu.au
Sara Tu, wenchao.tu@sydney.edu.au
Louise Kaktins, louise.kaktins@sydney.edu.au
Tianqi Wu, tianqi.wu@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical discussion
n/a
50% Week 09
Due date: 24 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Vlogs and written reflection
A vlog 1500wd equiv, written reflection 2000wd
50% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59
3500wd equiv.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

Assignment 1:You will write critically about a topic about reading OR writing. You will apply your ideas to English language teaching.

Assignment 2: You will make your own vlog, which is a multimodal video, so that you can teach English language learners how to make vlogs. You will also write a critical reflection about the process of making the vlogs and the possible use of vlogs in the English language classroom. 

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:

If an extension is not requested BEFORE the due date of the assignment, 5% of the mark will be deducted per day, including on the weekend.

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 What is multilingual literacy? Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 The nature of reading Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 03 The nature of writing Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 04 Multilingual reading Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 05 Intercultural competence and reading Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Multilingual writing Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 07 Writing feedback Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Identity and literacy Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 09 Technology and literacy Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 10 Vlogging Project workshop 1 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Vlogging Project workshop 2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 12 Globalization & Literacy Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 13 Literacy in indigenous contexts Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1

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. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

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. develop awareness of current issues in multilingual literacy and their implications for English language teaching
  • LO2. develop awareness of practices for developing literacy in the English language classroom
  • LO3. develop ability to use digital technology for teaching purposes.

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         

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

This year is the second time we are doing the vlogging project. We are using insights and feedback from last year to improve it. For example, the topic of the vlog has changed.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

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.