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Unit outline_

EDPR5001: University Teaching and Learning

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will offer you opportunities to enhance your understanding of good teaching and quality student learning in higher education. The main aim of this unit is to support you in applying your enhanced understanding of teaching and learning to planning scholarly and creative solutions to practice-based problems in your work as a university teacher. As a result of successfully completing this unit of study students should be able to explain relationships between good teaching and quality student learning using theoretical concepts from the higher education literature; and apply an enhanced understanding of good teaching and quality student learning to practice-based teaching and learning issues.

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 Danny Liu, danny.liu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Danny Liu, danny.liu@sydney.edu.au
Jessica Frawley, jessica.frawley@sydney.edu.au
Eszter Kalman, eszter.kalman@sydney.edu.au
Pippa Yeoman, pippa.yeoman@sydney.edu.au
Samantha Clarke, samantha.clarke@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Final project proposal
Project proposal - see Canvas for more detail
60% STUVAC
Due date: 01 Jun 2023 at 23:59
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Issue posting
Discussion board post - see Canvas for more detail
10% Week 02
Due date: 02 Mar 2023 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment Annotated bibiliography
Annotated bibliography - see Canvas for more detail
30% Week 06
Due date: 30 Mar 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Presentations for final project proposal
Presentation for group project proposal - see Canvas for more detail
0% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2023 at 13:00
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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

The following grade descriptors are used as a basis for marking and feedback in all units of the Graduate Certificate.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

As for the criteria for ‘Distinction’, however the work also shows a high degree of originality and creativity. There is evidence that the view of teaching and learning in professional, vocational and/or higher education and their application in practice, have contributed to University Teaching and Learning personal learning. There is good evidence of critical reflection on academic practice and identification of strategies for development. There is evidence of the ability to generalise the subject content to areas not covered in formal class sessions.

Distinction

75 - 84

The work shows a good appreciation of the general purpose of the topic. There is good coverage of the topic with relevant and accurate support and a well developed scholarly argument. The work demonstrates a clear view of how the various aspects of the topic integrate to meet the purpose. There is good evidence of application of assignment content to a relevant context.

Credit

65 - 74

The work is relevant, accurate and addresses several aspects of the topic. There is demonstration of understanding in relation to a reasonable amount of the content and a scholarly argument has been advanced. There is emerging evidence of an overall integrative view of the topic, and growing awareness of application or integration.

Pass

50 - 64

The information in the various aspects of the work is relevant and accurate but is not integrated and only covers core aspects of the topic. There is an attempt at a scholarly argument and the work indicates a limited understanding of the topic.

Fail

0 - 49

The information in the work is irrelevant, inaccurate or has missed the point. The work is insufficient; there is a lack of engagement with learning tasks or a failure to submit in the agreed timeframe.

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:

Per standard University policy.

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
Multiple weeks Consultations Seminar (6 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 01 How learning works Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 How teaching affects learning Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 The context in which we teach Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 How do we know what is working? Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Work-in-progress group project presentation Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Combined session Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2

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 

Remote attendance: We understand that unavoidable commitments may occasionally prevent some students from attending every class meeting. However the collaborative learning at these meetings is an essential part of the unit of study. Where students are unable to attend a class meeting they should notify the unit of study coordinator in advance and make arrangements to attend remotely through Zoom.

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.

Required readings

Available on Canvas.

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. explain relationships between good teaching and quality student learning using theoretical concepts from the higher education literature
  • LO2. apply an enhanced understanding of good teaching and quality student learning to practice-based teaching and learning issues.

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.

The unit has been revised based on student feedback. There is increased focus on key theories in higher education and the application of these. We are making adjustments to how groupwork is supported to enable a better student experience for assessment 3.

Important notes on grading and marking:

  • Assessment 3 is a group project. Groups will consist of approximately 3 to 4 people and all members of the group will receive the same mark.
  • Our aim is to provide feedback on your work within two (2) weeks of the date that we receive your assignment. In providing feedback on your work, our emphasis is on qualitative descriptions of each grade rather than the numerical marks. So each project will receive a grade (e.g., ‘Credit’) based on the qualities demonstrated in accordance with the rubrics and marking guidelines for each. Your overall grade for the semester will be based on your results across all weighted assessments, relative to the weightings indicated in this unit of study outline.

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.